Do tomatoes grow well in shaded gardens?
Written by
Kiana Okafor
Reviewed by
Prof. Charles Hartman, Ph.D.Vegetables that tolerate shade, such as dwarf tomatoes, show that gardens can be productive even in shaded environments. Most varieties of tomatoes grow best in full sun, but small varieties of tomatoes such as *Orange Hat* will provide a yield of 3 to 5 pounds per plant, with only 4 to 6 hours of light, and minimal shade. Planning can allow for limited sunlight.
Soil & Light
- Maintain pH 6.2-6.8 using agricultural lime
- Install aluminum foil reflectors to boost light 20%
- Prune lower leaves to focus energy on fruit production
Fertilization
- Apply 10-10-10 fertilizer every 3 weeks
- Add 1 cup worm castings per plant at planting
- Foliar spray seaweed extract for micronutrients
Pest Control
- Interplant with basil to repel hornworms
- Apply diatomaceous earth weekly to deter slugs
- Use yellow sticky traps for whiteflies
Tomato plants watered in the early morning hours and shaded will prevent the occurrence of any funguses. Drip irrigation will deliver 1 gallon of water per plant each week, accounting for rain. Container tomatoes shaded will take longer to dry, check the soil daily by inserting a finger 2" into the container soil.
Harvest tomatoes when the surface of the tomato is just slightly glossy under gentle pressure. Tomatoes grown in the shade may ripen 7-10 days later than sun-grown tomatoes, although shade-grown tomatoes often have a more complex flavor. To maintain similar quality and freshness, store unwashed tomatoes at 55 degrees F for two to three weeks after harvesting.
In shaded beds, leaf lettuce is great for pairing with dwarf tomatoes. As the living mulch, lettuce protects the soil by cooling the roots and preventing weed growth. In these conditions, combining these two plants produces 25% more than a single-crop planting in low-light conditions.
Read the full article: 10 Shade Tolerant Vegetables for Your Garden
