@mrtjforman I have never come across a greatberry - has anyone got them growing in their gardens?
We had blackcurrants growing in the shade of our existing huge trees @fidgetbones but only had a handful of berries on 4 bushes, which is why we moved them to a sunnier position.
I wonder if anyone has had success growing potatoes in shade?
My potatoes are in semi shade and I have a cherry beside a fence so shaded , both seem to be doing ok. This years planted cherry had loads of flowers, but 3/4 of the fruit fell off, so maybe a dozen cherries on a 3 foot plant. As for the potatoes they are now ready to pull so will let you know @Guernsey Donkey2 😁
The greatberry is a new fruit from canada. Doubt anyone has grown it here. The wild varieties grow taller than 20 foot - it would be a bit of an experiment. You can't grow blueberries in your spot but that might work just like a cherry. However the cherry will drop 3/4 of its fruit and the bird will most certainly eat the rest. An apple tree is probably your best bet for a shady spot if you want something tried and tested..
I would be interested to hear how successful your potato crop is @purplerallim so please let me know when you have harvested them.
An apple tree would please most people here @mrtjforman, they are good all rounders that store fairly well and so versatile. Thanks for sharing the information regarding the greatberry, it is always good to learn of new plants on the market.
This is what we pulled from one plant @Guernsey Donkey2 , but forgot to weigh them before cooking☺️ This was just to see how they are doing as Charlotte are only just ready.
That is a reasonable harvest @purplerallim and will seriously think about potatoes in the area. Are you pleased with the yield? We think this part of the veg patch is going to be completely shady, although we won't know until they finish building the ridiculously high roof just how much sun will be blocked. I know I shouldn't complain, we have had 40 good years of full sun veg patch and tbh it is far too hot in the height of the summer to work in the veg plot after midday and the amount of water needed to keep everything alive is frightening.
This is where they are growing ( picture at end of building it in march) As you can see surrounded by fencing and summerhouse, plus in the shadow of a 100 foot Ash tree for at least half the day. Potatoes are in the back of the bed near the water butt, and have grown so big you can't see the path. We put in about a dozen seed potatoes so 11 left to pull as we need them, or if the weather turns wet. Didn't know how well things would do in this shady area @Guernsey Donkey2 but the potatoes and carrots are doing ok, but the golden beetroot bolted.
Top marks for getting the most out of your limited and shady space @purplerallim , if you can get a decent crop from your small area, then we can surely produce something worthwhile from what is soon to become a shady vegetable patch. I will try to post some pictures in the next few days, to show you how our patch is going to change despite our protests.
p.s. thank you for your encouragement, I am cheered to know that you are able to produce a good crop of potatoes and carrots in semi shade. Watch this space.
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Potatoes are in the back of the bed near the water butt, and have grown so big you can't see the path. We put in about a dozen seed potatoes so 11 left to pull as we need them, or if the weather turns wet. Didn't know how well things would do in this shady area @Guernsey Donkey2 but the potatoes and carrots are doing ok, but the golden beetroot bolted.