04/12/09, 07:17 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: IA
Posts: 68
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First of all what kinds of trees as this does make a difference.
For the past seven years I've been growing cabbages, mustard greens, broccli, etc., under my supposed dwarf crabapple tree. I say supposed because it's now about 22 feet tall - not exactly dwarf. The remainder of the garden is shaded by the neighbors old fashioned crabapple tree which is about 12 feet tall and the canopy is huge. I've also grown squash quite successfully under these trees and a variety of herbs.
This year I will be planting under these trees, lettuce, more mustard greens, kale, chard, spinage, kolrabi, more cabbages, blue hubbard squash, peas.
My garden is also partially shaded by mine and our neighbors house so the whole garden gets about 4 hours of sun per day.
If you soil is loose and loamy you can also grow carrots, parsnips, radishes, beets, etc.
Currant bushes will do well also.
If you tree is highly acidic, such as a pine or a red oak, then you will have to work around the acidity level.
Heavily mulching reduces the need for watering, we are shredding our leaves and our neighbors leaves and have made a leaf mulch pile.
Kimberly zone 5 microclimate of 4
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