Not all greenery pleases with succulent leaves until late autumn. One stretches out and becomes coarse by June, another attracts aphids at the first heat, the third requires weekly feeding and frequent watering. But there are proven options: perennial, cold-resistant and unpretentious, which will produce a harvest even on the north side of the site and will not require daily attention.
1. Chives
- A perennial onion with thin tubular feathers and a delicate taste without bitterness.
- The leaves are juicy and do not become rough all season, ideal for salads, eggs and toppings.
- Resistant to frost down to –7 °C, grows back 20 days after cutting.
- Grows well in partial shade and poor soil, suppresses weeds with a dense bush.
2. Chard
- Two-year-old chard with large glossy leaves and juicy petioles.
- It does not bolt in the first year and produces a harvest for 4–5 months in a row.
- It tolerates short-term drought and coolness well, and does not suffer from powdery mildew.
- Suitable for shady corners, even with 4 hours of sun a day it forms a lush rosette.
3. Watercress
- The fastest ripening option, the first greenery appears 18 days after sowing.
- The leaves are small, feathery, with a piquant bitterness, and rich in vitamin C.
- Does not require thinning, grows like a carpet and drowns out weeds.
- Fruits before frost; if you cut off the top, new shoots grow in 10–12 days.
These three grasses do not require frequent watering, hoeing, or protection from pests. Just sow the seeds in rows, sprinkle with soil, and within three weeks you will start cutting the first greens.
Question and answer:
What green crops do not require weeding?
Dense bushes and fast-growing grasses, such as chives and watercress, suppress weeds themselves. Their dense planting creates a natural “living carpet” that prevents weeds from breaking through.
What herbs grow in shade or partial shade?
Chard and chives grow well even with 4-5 hours of sunlight per day. Watercress prefers cool conditions and partial shade.
