Many different greens grow well in the shade. Plant salad greens, such as radicchio, leaf lettuce, arugula or endive. Other leafy greens also work well in the garden. Consider greens not typically served raw, but can be stewed in soups, roasted or lightly sautéed. Some of these shade-growing greens include collard greens, kale, mustard greens and Swiss chard.
Beans are a common home-garden vegetable. They are easy to grow and most varieties produce an abundance of beans. Peas are also common home vegetables because they grow in partial shade. However, getting a large harvest of peas and beans takes longer in partial sun conditions. Bush or dwarf pea or bean varieties work better than pole varieties in shady spots.
Many different root vegetables thrive in the shade, but need at least four hours of sun each day for ideal production. A full harvest takes longer than it would in a sunny garden. Root vegetables that work in a shady garden include carrots, potatoes, beets, radishes and turnips. While these vegetables might take longer to mature, harvest them early and have gourmet baby carrots, potatoes or beets.
Fresh herbs heighten meals' flavor. When you have a shady garden, consider planting a wide variety of herbs, such as cilantro, chives, oregano, mint and parsley. Other herbs, like basil, need full sun to produce.