If you have one or two shady spots in your plot, then you will be happy to know that there are quite a few veg and herb plants that will still thrive when slightly sun-deprived:
Lettuces & Leaves
Most lettuces and leafy veg (spinach, chard etc) will do quite well with a bit of shade – it stops them from bolting which is a good thing – and although they will grow a little more slowly you’ll still get a good crop from them.
With lettuces, try to choose loose leaf varieties like Lollo Rossa (rather than the varieties that form tight hearts like Little Gem) as they’ll be a little easier to grow in shade.
Some Herbs
Most people associate herbs with full sun, but in fact there are a number of popular herbs that do very well in shade (as long as they are warm and get at least one or two hours of sunshine). We’d recommend parsley, both flat leaf and curly, coriander, mint, oregano, marjoram and vietnamese coriander.
Oriental Leaves
Pak Choi, Frill’s Mustard, Rocket and Mizuna all do well in part shade. They are prone to bolting, so having the shade actually helps them to produce more leaves for you to enjoy rather than trying to flower.
Kale
You’ll have no problem growing any kale varieties in partial shade – they are very tolerant of cooler temperatures and really easy to grow too.
Brassicas
Cabbages, broccoli, kohl rabi and cauliflower will all be fine in a slightly shadier spot. They need a few hours of sun each day, but will tolerate some shade without a problem.
Beetroot & Carrot
You may be surprised by this, but beetroots and carrots will actually grow well as long as they get some morning sunshine. If the afternoons are somewhat shady then they’ll survive!