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advice please

gibra6gibra6 Posts: 6
in Problem solving
hi,

last year we cleared an area that was full of nettles and cow parsley in our church grounds

We made planters and put gravel down

We have tried to grow veg but no luck, potatoes have had plants grow but no flowers, broad bean plants have grown but no beans, lettuce has not taken

Would like to try and put bulbs in to give parishioners access to flowers ie tulips daffodils dahlias anything that might flower before the leaves on the trees create shade

also thought about bulbs as once put in they should provide a few years worth of flowers

could cut some branches of trees to allow more light in but thinking of trying this before doing anything else

any thoughts

thanks

Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Too much shade and not enough water I should think for growing veggies.   

    Spring bulbs should be fine but not dahlias as they are summer flowerers and like sun.

    If you go to the RHS website you can use its plant finder facility to search for plants that will grow in shade or dappled shade.   Scroll down to enter soil type, aspect, shade levels, colour and season https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/search-form


    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    I think I would try to get rid of as many of those concrete blocks and as much gravel as possible and plant bulbs into the ground. You could have a pretty Spring display, allow the summer wild plants to take over, then strim in Autumn to give the bulbs a fresh start. Good for wildlife and so restful on the eye. 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    A difficult site if you want edibles, although I'd have thought lettuce would manage as it actually prefers a bit of shade - tends to bolt more in hot, sunny sites. If you've been sowing direct, it would be worth sowing in small pots then planting out. Watering would be important though.
    There's loads of plants which would be fine there though, so you can certainly have a nice display of flowering plants, and autumn crocus and cyclamen would be nice for this time of year into autumn.  :)
    I think the problem with removing the raised beds is that people might trample stuff. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    I would leave the concrete blocks as they're useful to perch on and will allow you to add more growing medium and mulch each year.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • gibra6gibra6 Posts: 6
    hi thanks for advice

    will look on rhs website
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    Most tulips like plenty of sun over the summer if they're going to do anything much for a second year, but daffodils, crocus, muscari and suchlike will be fine. In a public or semi-public space I would go for the cheaper varieties like tete-a-tete daffodils but lots of them, rather than anything unusual and expensive.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • PianoplayerPianoplayer Posts: 624
    Obviously a lot of work has gone into this - congratulations!

    Other bulbs that like shade: snowdrops and lily of the valley. You could also consider some evergreen ferns. Also pansies and primulas would give winter and spring colour.
  • gibra6gibra6 Posts: 6
    thanks

    we have had more luck with veg at the other church in our area where we have 2 areas both with plenty of sun

    we have grown courgettes, potatoes, lettuce, spinach, sweet corn, beetroot, pumpkins, onions, garlic, mint, broad beans, runner beans, strawberries, raspberries, radishes, peas,which we have given out to parishioners
  • jonathan.colejonathan.cole Posts: 221
    If you want edibles in shade don't do sun hungry annuals. Plant shade tolerant perennials:
    raspberries, blackberries, currants, gooseberries, honeyberries, hostas etc. Have a look for "forest gardens" or "food forests" and pick plants out of the lower layers.
  • TheGreenManTheGreenMan Posts: 1,957
    I’m getting a weird de ja vu vibe here….. 
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