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Great soil from under compst heap! What to grow.
PurplePlum
Posts: 7
in Fruit & veg
I've just spread all my compost around the garden, and moved my compost bin, which has left me with some amazing soil underneath.
Does anyone have any thoughts as to the best thing to plant in it - bearing in mind it is in a sheltered but shaded spot. It does get the very early morning sun, but is then in shade for the rest of the day.
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Could it be a permanent planting? It sounds like a fantastic spot for rhubarb
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Actually, yes it could! That's a good idea
I think rhubarb would want a lot more sun than just a bit of morning light. You might have to consider something else.
Wow is that really rhubarb?
Any other suggestions?
Ah OK thank you, was thinking they would need more sun. It is a reasonable size patch so things would have room to spread a little.. sometimes you just need to make a decision and have a go...
Edd, I did know that actually.
And what exactly do they do with that rhubarb plant after harvest? Into the compost heap. Where were those plants the two years prior? Outside in full sun. I just thought it was worth pointing out that nearly full shade would not be a first choice for rhubarb. Give it a try though, large surface leaves will collect all the light there is.
PurplePlum - If you're looking for a vegetable to grow beyond the basic shade friendly varieties, follow Edd's advice and go for a pumpkin or winter squash. The roots will love that fantastic soil.. and the long vines will travel towards a sunny area. You won't get a great harvest, but you'll get something.
Is the shade from a fence, house, or tree? It is possible to train something up into the sunlight?
The shade is from our neighbours house and fence. It's a small triangle patch between our 2 houses. Can't really train anything up their house, but I could put canes / structure there.
In my experience rhubarb is best grown in partial shade as this prevents the soil drying out in the summer http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/growfruitandveg_growingrhubarb1.shtml
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Rhubarb can grow in partial shade. Dad use to grow it in the same sort of situation as OP describes. I've planted mine in a sunny spot. No doubt I'll be watering it all summer..
If you Wikipedia rhubarb, it apparently comes from Siberia, and they say that it thrives in cold wet weather. The 'rhubarb triangle' in W. Yorkshire produces huge amounts of forced rhubarb.