5 Vegetables to Grow on a North Facing Patio
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Hello fellow urban gardeners!
Today’s blog is all about what you can grow on a north facing patio. With food prices rising, it would be nice to have some continuous crops that are low maintenance you can grow yourself. Nothing beats fresh lettuce or spinach from the garden! Perhaps your space is not exactly the sunniest of spots which may make you a little worried about what you could grow. But don't let a little shade discourage you! You'd be surprised at how many vegetables can thrive even without a full day of sun. The theme today is leafy greens! If you have at least 3-4 hours of sunlight on your patio then keep reading! I have included a few links to my favourite seed packets too with West Coast Seeds. Here are five easy vegetables that grows well on north facing patios.
Lettuce
Lettuce is an excellent leafy green for shaded areas. It actually prefers cooler temperatures, which makes it a perfect vegetable for north-facing balconies that you can grow in the Spring, Summer & Fall! It's also quick-growing, so you can harvest your salad greens in just a few weeks. Now it’s that exciting? You can plant lettuce seeds directly into containers or buy young plants from a garden center. Look for seed packets that are fast maturing that grow densely to maximize your space. You can harvest continuously from Spring through Fall. Here’s a fun mix that is easy to grow: purchase here.
Kale
Kale is another leafy green that enjoys cooler temperatures, kale can be grown from seed but they tend to be a little tricky. Purchase a few organic starters from your local nursery and add to a container or two. I suggest purchasing a few varieties. I love growing black magic kale for caesar salads or russian kale to make kale chips which is a family favorite. Kale can tolerate shade and still produce a plentiful harvest. Plus, it's incredibly nutritious and can be used in a variety of recipes!
Spinach
Spinach is a super vegetable. It’s highly nutritious, easy to grow, and does not require a lot of sun. In fact, too much heat can cause spinach to bolt or go to seed quickly, so a bit of shade can be beneficial. You can grow spinach on a north facing patio Spring through to mid summer and then again in the Fall. Spinach is best grown from seed. Spinach is great because you can freeze it if you feel you have too much. Add frozen spinach to smoothies, pastas or stir frys. This is my Fav variety of spinach to grow from West Coast Seeds: purchase here
Arugula
Arugula loves a little shade especially in the summer or else it will bolt quickly if too hot. Arugula can grow in shady spots throughout the summer. If you let the plant bolt, the flowers are beautiful and the bees love them! I always leave a little to bolt to attract the bees to the garden. Arugula is fast growing too and great for beginner gardeners. It is best grown from seed but you can often purchase starter plants. There are many types of arugula and spice levels so have fun picking out seeds and creating your own magical garden. Try this variety from seed: purchase here
Swiss Chard
Swiss chard is another leafy green that grows well in less sunny locations. It's a very hardy plant and can tolerate a range of temperatures and conditions. The brightly colored stems of some varieties also add a decorative element to your balcony garden! Enjoy making chard cakes, pasta sauces or adding the baby chard to your salads. Here’s two fun varieties to grow that have colourful stems: peppermint chard seeds & celebration chard seeds.
Remember, for all of these vegetables, the key to success in a north-facing balcony is choosing the right variety and ensuring they have enough water and nutrients. Soil is very important, invest in good quality soil with compost. I also add worm castings to my soil! Plant them in good-sized pots or containers. It might take a little experimenting to see what works best for your specific patio environment, but don't be afraid to try different things. That is what gardening is all about.
Happy gardening friends!
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