North Facing Garden - how to deal with it and what to do.

[rustylady]

If you line the beds with black plastic they will just get waterlogged. Why do you need raised beds?

[tom_birmingham]

Introduction of better soil, probably would give slugs etc a new home I think.

[rustylady]

Tom, before you go to the expense of raised beds you need to find out what the soil is like. You may not need to introduce "better soil". I believe you said the previous occupant was already growing veg so the soil should be fine.

[Two_Sheds]

whatever soil you use, it won't compensate for lack of daylight

[tom_birmingham]

I'm well aware of that as stated throughout this thread.

[Two_Sheds]

Sorry fella, I just don't want you pouring ££££s into a problem garden, from the wrong end of the stick, so to speak.


Marb67 has a shady veg garden. His posts are a tale of woe

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ant_75303.html

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ing_73905.html

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...edy_74560.html

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...est_74472.html

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...son_74235.html

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ear_73693.html

[Penellype]

My garden is very shady in winter - even now there is only a small patch of sunlight from about 10am to 2pm, which moves round the far end (where I grow my veg). In the summer it is fine and I grow peas, tomatoes, courgettes, potatoes, carrots, onions, leeks, brassicas, rhubarb, blueberries and strawberries very successfully. The secret is to grow the ones that need the sun in the sunniest part, and as suggested earlier, start things in pots (or even grow them in pots) which you can move around as the sunny area gets bigger. Brassicas (all the cabbage family) will grow fine in the shade, and so will leeks, spinach and rhubarb. I have grown potatoes in the very shady part, although crops are lighter. My blueberry bushes are in total shade in the winter, but get much more sun when the fruit is ripening and they produce masses of fruit. I've also had some success with lettuces in part shade, although I do eat my lettuce very small anyway - I'm not sure they would form good hearts in these conditions.

[KittyColdNose]

We have a small north facing garden and have plotted where the sun is during the summer. This is where we grow our veggies, with the ones needing most light as far from the house as possible. The section in the shade nearest the house is patio and grass. It can be challenging but it is rewarding.


Almost forgot to say, we get no sunlight at all in winter on it

[Two_Sheds]

we get no sunlight at all in winter

... but the veggies are dormant anyway, so it doesn't matter like summer sun does

[tom_birmingham]

Just a quick update on how my first growing season went this year as I thought it might be useful or of interest to share.

Well it's been better than I thought and I am pleased to say I have had a very enjoyable growing season, this being my first I was not expecting much but it's been great.



I started with sorting the soil out, it had previously had spuds in and purple sprouting so I knew it was growing soil. I still dug it over in Feb, filled it with compost/manure and some bark. Then I planted some broad beans which were grew from plugs from my parents. The month before I planted kale and chard. I then put in some courgettes in the June straight into the soil and they have done really well. I also planted some runner beans in June too. Fruit wise, behind the trellis we had redcurrants/gooseberries and an old raspberry bush showed up too. Rhubarb also sulked but shot up after a while too. It was a little cold for growing I think. We also had 2 large troughs of salad leaves which were cut and come again.

Surprisingly I found an apple tree next to the trellis which had been poorly managed but has fruited, the blasted squirrels had the apples though. I dont think I'll be keeping the tree as it's been trained incorrectly and looks a mess.

After the broads were finished, I put in January King Cabbages and Northern Light Leeks which have shot up ready for the winter.

Herbs have all been in pots mostly, basil, thyme, lemon thyme, vietnamese coriander, sage, rosemary, lemon grass, basil, lavendar, verbena, marjoram, chives, tarragon, 2 different mints including moroccan tea mint after a trip to Marrakech.

We also got 2 chickens. Robshaw and Blossom. I also had built through a local course the crown in the garden and something I am very excited about, an earth oven - built for baking bread/pizza and cooking food. It's beautiful.

So the north facing garden wasnt that bad, it took some adjusting. My only failures were carrots which just didnt happen, it was wishful thinking with the soil I think. Beetroot didnt do well but I planted them in the cold, not a good idea in hindsight.

I am pleased to say I look on with pride. Now, it's about working out how far I can push it. Can I go past the herb line ? Dig some more out and plant some in the partial shade ? Is it time for flowers, my girlfriend loves them. Should I do that ? I have a small garden pack from Higgledy Garden.....who knows. It's very exciting !

[Nicos]

Hi there Tom!

WOW!!...what a transformation...you have done really well there

* give Tom a pat on the back

One thought is perhaps you could have a friendly natter with your neighbour with a view to reducing the height of the hedge a bit...it would allow a bit more evening sun to hit the garden.

There are loads of flowers which prefer semi shade...go for it!!

Love the idea about having a bread/pizza oven too....what a lovely, enthusiatic post to read...it's put a huge grin on my face- thankyou

[Scarlet]

Well done, that looks fantastic!

[Bill HH]

Welcome. Yes it faces north, by faces we mean standing by the house and looking at the garden you are looking north. Don't despair though there are things you can do. Cut the hedge as has been said, treasure the part of the garden that does get sun and grow sun loving plants there. Nearer to the house you could keep for brassicas, lettuce and tings that will tolerate shade. I have rasperries growing in quite a shaded spot.

[Bren In Pots]

Congrats on a productive year Tom your garden does look good

So don't forget to take photos and enter in the vines veg show :-

Fruit & Vegetable Showcase

[Penellype]

Looks great Tom. Don't let anyone say you can't grow veg in a shady garden!