Designing a Thriving Urban Farm in Zone 8a: Full Sun to Full Shade

ChatGPT Prompt: i'm attaching my existing plant inventory. help me design my urban farm. I have three different growing space. each is approx 20x20 in size. one is full sun, one is partial shade, the other is nearly full shade. i live in usda zone 8a

RESULT:

[disclaimer: this is a loose framework. most of the inventory will remain in containers until I have a handle on sun exposure and complete storm cleanup. -kgordon]

With 381 plants across fruit trees, herbs, vegetables, ornamentals, and native species, you're in a great position to design a productive and beautiful urban farm. Below is a recommended layout for your three 20x20 garden zones, tailored to your USDA Zone 8a location and the light requirements of your plants.

🌞 FULL SUN (20x20) – "Edible Abundance" Garden

Ideal for fruiting crops, root veggies, and sun-loving herbs and natives.

Key Features:

  • Raised beds or mounds for better drainage

  • Trellises or fencing for vining crops

  • Companion planting to support pollinators and pest control

Suggested Layout:

Center (trellises & vertical structures) Muscadine (4), Purple Passionflower (1), Loofa (3)

Rows or clusters Corn (10), Watermelon (20), Cantaloupe (20), Sunflowers (3), Peanuts (4), Potato (3), Sunchokes (2)

Edges/companion areas Holy Basil (10), Nasturtium (5), Mint (1), Ground Cherry (5), Goji (1), Ginger (1), Moringa (10), Avocado (2)

Small trees at corners Fig (1), Apple (1), Persimmon (1), Pear (2), Loquat (1), Olive (3)

Intersperse low edibles Water Spinach (30) in partial shade from trees or trellises

🌤 PARTIAL SHADE (20x20) – "Perennial & Pollinator" Garden

Best for perennials, fruiting shrubs, and herbs that tolerate filtered sun.

Key Features:

  • Winding paths or staggered plant heights

  • Native pollinator plants mixed with perennial edibles

Suggested Layout:

Perennial border Elderberry (10), Raspberry (4), Mulberry (5), Beauty Berry (12)

Middle clusters Asparagus (5), Echinecea (3), Perilla (10), Mullein (10), Cotton (2)

Fragrance & color Daylily (10), Canna (4), Lily (4), Gardenia (1), Forsythia (10)

Herbal nodes Holy Basil (extra), Ginger (if not used above), Goji (can go here too if not in full sun)

Tree-like anchor Banana (1), Citrus (2 – Lemon/Lime), Olive (if not used in sun zone)

🌑 FULL SHADE (20x20) – "Woodland Wellness" Garden

Use as a cool, calming space focused on shade-tolerant natives, herbs, and ornamental foliage.

Key Features:

  • Naturalistic paths with mulch

  • Log seating, mushroom logs, art installations

  • Moisture-retaining soil and companion plants

Suggested Layout:

Foliage foundation Hostas (15), Ferns (2), Elephant Ear (14), Liriope (2)

Accent trees & structure Willow Oak (1-2), Bald Cypress (1-2), Hackberry (1-2)

Color & scent Hosta bloom spikes, Perilla (shadier edge), Beauty Berry (a few for visual punch)

Medicinal/herbal Mullein (if dappled light), Echinacea (edge), Mint (contained)

Border or natural fence Cypress (2), Willow Oak (more if space allows), Hackberry or Bald Cypress (back border)

🛠 Additional Tips:

Infrastructure Ideas:

  • Compost Station: Between Full Sun & Partial Shade zones

  • Water Source & Irrigation: Drip system for sun zone; rain barrels for others

  • Signage: Label with scientific/common names, especially for edible landscaping

  • Mulching: Especially important in shade zones to suppress ivy regrowth

Integration Ideas:

  • Use elephant ears and hostas in your shade zone as part of a meditation garden or “woodland retreat.”

  • Plant asparagus and moringa as long-term perennials with high nutrient value.

  • Use native pollinators like beauty berry, echinacea, and mullein in border beds to support beneficial insects.

K Gordon