My garden does not receive a lot of sun; it’s mostly dappled shade throughout the day. Are there any vegetables and/or fruits I can grow?

Fruits need full sun to flower and set fruit, but there are some vegetables that will tolerate partial shade. Many of these are members of the cabbage family: broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage. Some other nice, green “leafies” that will grow in partial shade are the many varieties of lettuce, spinach and Swiss chard. Last on the list are some of the underground veggies: beets, potatoes, radishes and turnips.

I have been growing sweet pea vines, but they have no blooms. The vines are healthy-looking; what can I do to get them to bloom?

Sweet peas are an old-fashioned, vining garden flower presently enjoying a new burst of popularity. They are normally easy garden plants to grow, requiring only an average garden soil with reasonable drainage and a sunny location.

They are cool season crops, like their garden cousins. They will grow and bloom best when cooler temperatures prevail. Sow them early in the spring garden (early to mid-April). For an earlier jump, start them inside 4 to 6 weeks earlier. Like most legumes, treating the seeds with a legume inoculant prior to planting will help insure a stronger start.

The earlier planting can net a more bountiful harvest of flowers because they will reach blooming age while the weather is still on the cool side. Once the weather gets too warm, blooming slows or stops altogether.