Got a 50ft planter box... but no idea what to plant. Help?

General
1

Hey everyone, we recently built a 50ft long planter box and kind of realized we didn’t think it through. We’re struggling with what to plant, especially since we want to:

  1. Keep mosquitoes at bay (we live near a water basin, so mosquitoes are aggressive year-round).
  2. Grow edible herbs or veggies.

We’re in the Central Valley in California where summer temps hit triple digits and stay that way for about 2 months. The planter gets very little direct sunlight because the neighboring house casts a shadow over most of it. Only about 10% gets some sun, and even that’s limited.

Any advice on what could work? We’d love to hear your ideas!

2

If the area doesn’t get at least 6 hours of direct sunlight, veggies might not thrive. Try checking the shade-tolerant sections of local nurseries—not big box stores like Home Depot or Walmart.

3

Double-check how much sun the area gets during summer—it might be more than you think. I use an app called Shade Map to track sun exposure. In Southern California, we even use shade cloth for tomatoes because the full sun can be too harsh. You might have luck with vining veggies like zucchini or cucumbers. Rebar mesh panels make great trellises.

4

Be careful with the planter box. If it’s made from 1-inch cedar, it’ll rot pretty quickly. Upgrading to thicker wood or adding a metal liner could save you from having to replace it in a couple of years.

5

I’m in a cooler zone (PNW), but here are some shade-tolerant edibles you might try:

  • Rhubarb
  • Currants
  • Gooseberries
  • Lingonberries
  • Alpine strawberries
  • Hardy kiwi
  • Greens

For flowers, think Japanese anemone, coral bells, or astilbe.

6

50 feet of basil! Just kidding… without enough sun, basil won’t thrive there.

7

Blair said:
50 feet of basil! Just kidding… without enough sun, basil won’t thrive there.

Basil can grow in partial shade if you’re patient. It’ll grow slower, but by the end of the season, you might have waist-high plants.

8

How about lavender, jasmine, and roses? When they bloom, you’ll have an amazing display.

9

Vail said:
How about lavender, jasmine, and roses? When they bloom, you’ll have an amazing display.

Lavender and roses need a lot of sun. Jasmine might work once it climbs higher and gets more light.

10

Hostas do great in shade.

11

Don’t stress too much about the shade. I’m in Texas, and my plants need some shade to survive triple-digit heat. For your narrow planter, vining plants like zucchini and cucumbers could work well. You might also try citronella to help with the mosquitoes.

12

Lettuces and brassicas love partial shade. Do you have an irrigation system, or will you be watering everything by hand?

13

Boxwoods might be a good option for structure, and they like part shade. You could also add colorful begonias between them.

14

Strawberries! Alpines can grow in as little as 4 hours of sunlight.

15

Grasses, evergreens, or perennials could work well. If you like ornamental plants, Hakone grass or yew shrubs are great for shady areas. What’s your style—formal, wild, or something in between?

16

Consider planting herbs with rocks as mulch to retain moisture. Maybe espalier a few citrus trees along the fence too. Also, watch for critters hiding in the gap between the fence and planter.

17

How about layering flowers? Muscari in the front, tulips in the middle, and gladiolus in the back. You can also reseed with marigolds and poppies every year.

18

Try grapes! A sturdy trellis could give you both shade and fruit.

19

If you’re in a legal state, why not grow some cannabis? It’s a great use of space if done right.