Forum home› Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Shallow planting

joanneshaw96joanneshaw96 Posts: 3
in Problem solving
I have an old shallow sink in the garden, cemented into a shady area, and wondered what I would be able to grow in it?  It is about 4inches deep, so not ideal, I know!  Would appreciate any suggestions

Posts

  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    Does water drain out of it?
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • joanneshaw96joanneshaw96 Posts: 3
    JennyJ said:
    Does water drain out of it?
    Thanks Jenny, there is a large plug hole on one side, so there would be drainage. It’s dry at the moment after all the rain we’ve had, so definitely draining
  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    What about putting a plug in and making it into a wild life mini pond?  4 inches with some rocks on the bottom is perfect for birds to get a drink.  

    What is around it?  Would succulents or such work?  Most are fairly shallow rooted.  They need good drainage, so gravel and special potting soil.  
    Utah, USA.
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    Succulents often need sun. Maybe violas would grow there - they'll take some shade and aren't particularly deep-rooted.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700
    Sedum Palmeri will do fine in shade. 
  • borgadrborgadr Posts: 718
    I have something similar, I planted it up as a mini-rockery but tried to find shade-tolerant rockery plants. I added Ajuga reptans atropurpurea, Alchemilla erythropida, and a white-flowering Saxifraga, I forget which one. There's also some herb robert in there which had self-seeded by itself.  
    The sink gets some very early morning sun but that's about it (north-east facing wall). All seem to be thriving, though I have to constantly prune the herb robert so it doesn't take over.
  • joanneshaw96joanneshaw96 Posts: 3
    Thank you all so much for such amazing feedback, certainly given me lots to work with  :)
Sign In or Register to comment.