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Need plant suggestions for shaded area
http://byap.backyardmagazines.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=47&t=5248		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  tamo42 [ Apr 9th, '09, 13:29 ]
Post subject:  Need plant suggestions for shaded area
I'm thinking about constructing an outdoor system on my apartment patio. The problem is that I live right by the parking deck, and get very little (none?) direct sun.

So, does anyone have suggestions for appropriate plants?

A short bit about my climate: It's hot and humid during the summer ( 100F or 38C with 90% humidity ), and gets down to about 20F or -7C. We do get hard frosts in the winters.

Any help would be appreciated.
Author:  KudaPucat [ Apr 9th, '09, 14:19 ]
Post subject:  Re: Need plant suggestions for shaded area
You should be protected from frosts as you're so encased by buildings.
as for low light, you may find it's not such a problem. How much light (in hours) do you get every day?
I think a fernery would do very well there, but they're more pretty than tasty...
best approach is 'suck it and see' plant some things, see how they do. If you can, get a sheet of mylar or polished steel and try to reflect more light down. It will keep your temps in the house lower in summer if you reflect the light off the building.
Author:  fishfodder [ Apr 9th, '09, 14:22 ]
Post subject:  Re: Need plant suggestions for shaded area
Leafy greens do OK with minimal light so things like soft leaf lettuce, kale, chinese veges (boc choy etc). You could also try parsley and mint.
Author:  fishfodder [ Apr 9th, '09, 14:24 ]
Post subject:  Re: Need plant suggestions for shaded area
Quick warning on the mint, it tends to take over.
Author:  KudaPucat [ Apr 9th, '09, 14:25 ]
Post subject:  Re: Need plant suggestions for shaded area
Mint will grow ANYWHERE! keep the balcony smelling fresh too
Author:  TCLynx [ Apr 9th, '09, 21:50 ]
Post subject:  Re: Need plant suggestions for shaded area
Mint will grow well in shade and likes almost all conditions but give it it's own grow bed because it will take over.

Parsley seems to do well here in shade.

Aloe Likes shade

As to the stuff like lettuce. It may grow but will likely to tall spindly, try to fall over and grow slow. Most veggies like a little bit of sun or at least bright filtered light for a few hours a day. Try it though and see what it does in your situation. You might be able to manage things like carrots, turnips, radish, and maybe even kohlrabi. Some other edibles you might not have thought about but they have a pretty side would be violet, viola and pansy which should do well in the less sunny situation.

You might look into what tropical plants are edible and grow in shade and they might like your summer conditions there.

And during all but the coldest part of the year, most any houseplant would be fine in that AP system.

A duckweed tub would probably be a fine addition as well since it only needs light and not bright sun.
Author:  tamo42 [ Apr 9th, '09, 22:29 ]
Post subject:  Re: Need plant suggestions for shaded area
Kuda, I have ambient light but no direct sun at all. I'll take some pics today.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone!
Author:  tamo42 [ Apr 10th, '09, 03:44 ]
Post subject:  Re: Need plant suggestions for shaded area
Here are pics of the area.

Attachments:
File comment: Here's a vertical view. The bright patch at the bottom is where the sun is actually hitting the ground.
Aquaponics - Outdoor Location - 003.jpg
Aquaponics - Outdoor Location - 003.jpg [ 53.06 KiB | Viewed 5663 times ]
File comment: This is as bright as it gets here.
Aquaponics - Outdoor Location - 002.jpg
Aquaponics - Outdoor Location - 002.jpg [ 49.26 KiB | Viewed 5659 times ]
File comment: I'll be setting up the system on this concrete pad.
Aquaponics - Outdoor Location - 001.jpg
Aquaponics - Outdoor Location - 001.jpg [ 51.59 KiB | Viewed 5661 times ]
Author:  tamo42 [ Apr 10th, '09, 03:45 ]
Post subject:  Re: Need plant suggestions for shaded area
and the parking deck...

Attachments:
Aquaponics - Outdoor Location - 004.jpg
Aquaponics - Outdoor Location - 004.jpg [ 50.49 KiB | Viewed 5656 times ]
Author:  Dave Donley [ Apr 10th, '09, 04:47 ]
Post subject:  Re: Need plant suggestions for shaded area
Ask your landlord if there's any apts available on the sunny side of the building!
Author:  tamo42 [ Apr 10th, '09, 04:58 ]
Post subject:  Re: Need plant suggestions for shaded area
heh, maybe I'll hang a mylar sheet from the deck... think the neighbors would mind? :twisted:
Author:  KudaPucat [ Apr 13th, '09, 17:11 ]
Post subject:  Re: Need plant suggestions for shaded area
It depends... it's odd what the neighbours will sometimes regard acceptable, and unfathomable what they will find unacceptable! ;-)
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