By Jenfren
Herefordshire,
United Kingdom 
hi all. Have inherited small veg patch in new house.We have put sleepers round it to make a bit of a raised bed, and dug in contents of compost bin.There is a rosemary bush, some chives and a large thyme plus some leftover leeks.We have no idea what else has been planted here in the past.It is about 20 foot x 12 foot and somewhat shaded by the shed (hopefully rabbits now gone from underneath) .What can we grow that will be happy with lack of sun,would like some beans and perhaps root veg. would we need to dig in manure,have unlimited supply,some well rotted
16 Mar, 2012
Answers
Another thought ... light for plants does not necessarily mean direct sun, but open to the sky. If in doubt then concentrate on raising soil temperatures - black bags spread out over the area, with slug pellets applied!! If you do warm up the soil at this time then beware of frosts to young growth, and cover or fleece as appropriate until May is out!
16 Mar, 2012
Root veg and rabbits (they will be back) ...The rosemary and Thyme are suited to free draining soil, where-as Beans would want a rich soil that holds moisture. All the plants you mention that are in there already like a fair bit of sunshine...Perhaps it is not as shaded as you imagine, sunny days have been a bit few and far betweenof late.
17 Mar, 2012
Leeks suggest it was used to grow root veg last year, so legumes are appropriate for this year, ie. beans, peas etc. They appreciate manure, if you add some of your well rotted stuff promply and grow the first batch of seeds in pots/trays (make successive sowings abut a fortnight apart to avoid having a glut all at once) it will have blended in with the soil by the time you are ready to plant out.
17 Mar, 2012
thanks, lack of rabbits could be that daughters border terrier has been to stay for two weeks ! We have got stones in all gaps,when we moved in we wondered why, so did not replace stones under gate and must have let the blighters in.Lesson learned. Will go for legumes and perhaps onions as we use loads.May even sneak in 1 courgette ,Husband hates them, i,m not that keen but love to see the flowers they are so bright and cheerfull
17 Mar, 2012
Have you tried frying courgette slices quickly (30 secs) in hot olive oil with butter and a sprinkling of rosemary? If you like garlic then add a squished clove to the mix. Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper before serving. You can also leave them to become marrows and stuff with rice and mince with herbs, then cook in the oven with water in the base. The flowers are edible and can be battered and deep fried.
17 Mar, 2012
that sounds yummy, love garlic. Have to say i did not know that they became marrows, although it makes sense, will give them another go thanks
17 Mar, 2012
Beans like sun, but just a thought - often soil will be shaded but taller plants will have their heads in the sun - try putting a tall cane in the bed in a couple of places (or just stand there yourself on a sunny day and see where the sunshine reaches, and then you can judge if there will be enough. Might be wisde to check at several times through the day.
16 Mar, 2012