sad and sorry plot

[vonveg]

hi i have a small slightly rubbish plot in my garden - neglected and shaded by trees. i had some success with kale, spinach and rocket but no success with beetroot, broad beans, onions. i don't know what to do now. should i cover with manure or compost or just cover it with heavy stuff??? or should i just give up and plant some flowers? please help!

[Two_Sheds]

Shaded by trees.

Not so good. They will not only be casting shade (not many veg like growing in shade) but they'll rob all the ground of moisture and nutrients.

you need to get the light in, if you can.

[Snadger]

Depends whether the shading trees are coniferous or if they drop there leaves in winter? If they are of the leaf dropping variety you should be able to grow any of the winter veg as there won't be any shade during their growing season!

If not, the area would be ideally suited for siting a hut, compost heaps, vegetable clamp, rhubarb, rasps, comfrey beds or any of the 'leafy' crop varieties. I grow nine star perennial caulis which can stay in the ground for up to five years.
You would still have to pick and choose if growing flowers as most require full sun but there are lots (especially foliage plants)for dry shady areas as well!

[Two_Sheds]

Foxgloves don't mind a bit of dry shade.

[vicky]

Can you cut back branches of the trees shading the plot? Then add lots of compost each year as the trees will take the nutrients from the soil.
The back of my plot is like this and it can be a bit of a battle... I suppose it depends on how big the trees are as to how much you can get to them to stop the shade....or how well you can climb?
If you put compost heaps here use a layer of membrane underneath as otherwise the roots from the trees will make their way up into the heap!