actually your area should be good - might have to enrich your soil initially and then a good overspread of compost every year .... I'm on the far west edge of the USA recommended growing area - I'm giving it a try because of the deep shade growing possibilities .... I wish I could afford the cuttings approach - but a small sample is $7 each
You made me think of a list I gathered a few years back. It's a long list but I'll post it here for those interested.
Light, temperature and planting chart
Light requirements: High—6-8 hours of sunlight; Medium—4-6 hours; Low—4 hours
Temperature: Warm—(around 15°C) needs warm soil and air temperatures; doesn’t tolerate frost; Cool—will grow in cooler temperatures; may survive a light frost
Planting: Seeds—best planted as seeds; Seedlings—best planted as seedlings
Beans
Light: High
Temp.: Warm
Planting: Seeds or seedlings
Tips: For a continuous crop of bush beans, sow every 2 to 3 weeks throughout midsummer
Beets
Light: Medium
Temp.: Cool
Planting: Seeds
Tips: Keep well watered to prevent scab
Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and kale
Light: Medium
Temp.: Cool
Planting: Seedlings
Tips: Grow in 22-litre containers. Spray with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) or use a row cover to prevent insect damage
Carrots
Light: Medium
Temp.: Cool
Planting: Seeds
Tips: For shallow containers, choose varieties with small, ball-shaped roots
Cucumbers and melons
Light: High
Temp.: Warm
Planting: Seeds or seedlings
Tips: Three cucumber or 2 melon vines will grow well in a 90-litre garbage pail. Both need their flowers pollinated by bees; otherwise hand-pollinate with a paintbrush in the morning
Eggplant and peppers
Light: High
Temp.: Warm
Planting: Seedlings
Tips: Don’t plant outside until weather and soil are warm; otherwise growth and fruiting will be set back
Leeks
Light: Medium
Temp.: Cool
Planting: Start seeds 10-12 weeks before last spring frost date
Tips: Use containers at least 45 cm deep. Fill with 20 cm of soil; plant seedlings. As they grow, top up containers with soil to keep stems blanched
Lettuce
Light: Low
Temp.: Cool
Planting: Seeds or seedlings
Tips: In hot weather, does best with morning sun and afternoon shade
Onion
Light: Medium
Temp.: Cool
Planting: Seeds or sets
Tips: Keep well watered to prevent small, pungent bulbs
Asian greens
Light: Low
Temp.: Cool
Planting: Seeds or seedlings
Tips: Follow package instructions for when to plant each specific type and how to avoid problems with bolting
Peas
Light: Medium
Temp.: Cool
Planting: Seeds
Tips: For autumn crop, sow 2 months before first fall frost
Potatoes
Light: Medium
Temp.: Warm
Planting: Tubers
Tips: Containers should be at least 45 cm deep. Keep well watered to avoid scab
Radishes
Light: Medium
Temp.: Cool
Planting: Seedlings
Tips: Small, round radishes can be grown in a container as shallow as a shoebox; best grown in spring and fall
Spinach
Light: Low
Temp.: Cool
Planting: Seeds
Tips: Best grown in spring and fall; will bolt to seed in summer
Squash
Light: High
Temp.: Warm
Planting: Seeds or seedlings
Tips: Best grown in a 90-litre garbage pail. Flowers must be pollinated by bees or hand-pollinated in the morning
Swiss chard
Light: Low
Temp.: Cool
Planting: Seeds or seedlings
Tips: Water well to keep from bolting to seed
Tomatoes
Light: High
Temp.: Warm
Planting: Seedlings
Tips: For large varieties, use 22-litre containers; fill with soil to within 7.5 to 10 cm of top. Plant seedling slightly deeper than it was growing. As seedling grows, remove lower leaves and add more soil
Which plants will put up with lower light levels?
A general rule is that plants grown for their stems, leaves or buds generally tolerate light shade fairly well. Those grown for roots or fruits tend to need more sun.
That said, even many of these crops will also tolerate light shade, simply providing smaller yields. These are noted on the list with an asterisk (*).
The following crops will grow with as little as three to six hours of sun per day, or constant dappled shade. While size or yields may be affected in some instances, taste will be just as good.
Lettuce
Arugula
Spinach
Broccoli *
Green onions
Cabbage *
Parsley
Sorrel
Garlic
Mint
Collards
Endive
Cress
Cauliflower *
Peas *
Currants
Pak Choy
Beets *
Kohlrabi *
Brussels Sprouts
Mustard greens
Thyme
Coriander
Tarragon
Radishes
Cardamom
Potatoes *
Rhubarb *
Swiss Chard
Kale
Turnips *
Carrots *
Sweet potatoes and yams *
Gooseberries
Cilantro
Dill
Lemon Balm
Strawberries *
Beans *
Blackberries and raspberries *
