http://www.flickr.com/photos/16746774@N00/2586650745/

How much direct sun does the area get? Depending on how much and the time of day; morning sun, afternoon sun? If you want veggies, during the early spring before and while the maple is leafing out you can do a crop of cool season veggies; after you can do some tomatoes too. You won't get as much production as if they were in the sun, but you will get some. During the summer months you might be able to do some herbs or stuff that would normally bolt during the summer heat, because it's shaded. Peppers are gonna be a no-go. Zucchini might be ok, just will take longer to get to be a monster if it even makes it there.

Melissa