Planting Ideas for Dry Shade - Harringay online2024-03-29T11:24:41Zhttps://harringayonline.com/forum/topics/planting-ideas-for-dry-shade?groupUrl=gardening&commentId=844301%3AComment%3A1165342&groupId=844301%3AGroup%3A21728&feed=yes&xn_auth=noYou could add a thick layer o…tag:harringayonline.com,2019-05-13:844301:Comment:11663682019-05-13T05:08:17.811ZSallyhttps://harringayonline.com/profile/Sally294
<p>You could add a thick layer of organic mulch over the top of the bio char fertiliser. If you make your own compost and leafmould those would be the best option - otherwise I find well rotted manure, spent mushroom compost or composted bark are all good. Over time earthworms will utilise the mulch, dragging it down into the soil to line their burrows & this will improve the soil structure for you.</p>
<p>As I said before it's best practice to water really well before applying the…</p>
<p>You could add a thick layer of organic mulch over the top of the bio char fertiliser. If you make your own compost and leafmould those would be the best option - otherwise I find well rotted manure, spent mushroom compost or composted bark are all good. Over time earthworms will utilise the mulch, dragging it down into the soil to line their burrows & this will improve the soil structure for you.</p>
<p>As I said before it's best practice to water really well before applying the fertiliser & mulch - especially under a bay, where it gets so dry.</p> Sounds great as fertiliser an…tag:harringayonline.com,2019-05-12:844301:Comment:11663272019-05-12T17:00:23.180ZHughhttps://harringayonline.com/profile/hjuk
<p>Sounds great as fertiliser and I’d like some for that purpose. Thank you. But is it the best thing to bulk up the rather thin soil I have in that border?</p>
<p>Sounds great as fertiliser and I’d like some for that purpose. Thank you. But is it the best thing to bulk up the rather thin soil I have in that border?</p> Oh no - sorry to hear that Al…tag:harringayonline.com,2019-05-12:844301:Comment:11663532019-05-12T13:59:02.022ZSallyhttps://harringayonline.com/profile/Sally294
<p>Oh no - sorry to hear that Alison.</p>
<p>I've yet to figure out why they seem to grow like weeds in some gardens & struggle in others. I do understand that they come up best from seed which is fresh & that they don't really like to be sown in pots - preferring direct sowing - in situ.</p>
<p>I took a look at the older discussion about this plant on the site & as you say it's important to be careful when weeding - as the seedlings don't look like anything special & it's easy…</p>
<p>Oh no - sorry to hear that Alison.</p>
<p>I've yet to figure out why they seem to grow like weeds in some gardens & struggle in others. I do understand that they come up best from seed which is fresh & that they don't really like to be sown in pots - preferring direct sowing - in situ.</p>
<p>I took a look at the older discussion about this plant on the site & as you say it's important to be careful when weeding - as the seedlings don't look like anything special & it's easy to pull them out without realising or mulch over the top of them when they're too small to push through.</p>
<p>I find it's best to mark where the seed's been sown just to remind myself to look for it. </p>
<p>There are adult plants & lots of seedlings in this garden (19 Coolhurst Road) but I haven't got any in my garden yet. I do plan to give it a go & found a packet of seed for £1 from an open garden in Highgate last week</p> I'd recommend the pelletted f…tag:harringayonline.com,2019-05-12:844301:Comment:11664452019-05-12T13:35:35.720ZSallyhttps://harringayonline.com/profile/Sally294
<p>I'd recommend the pelletted fertiliser Hugh:</p>
<p><strong>"Ingredients</strong></p>
<p>Natural plant-derived 5-5-5 NPK balance</p>
<p>5 Nitrogen (N) for active leaf and stem growth</p>
<p>5 Phosphorus (P) for strong, healthy root systems</p>
<p>5 Potassium (K) promotes vigorous flower and fruit development and disease resistance</p>
<p>Our biochar blend contains essential trace elements including manganese, copper, calcium, iron, zinc and sulphur. Also contains: <strong>Biochar…</strong></p>
<p>I'd recommend the pelletted fertiliser Hugh:</p>
<p><strong>"Ingredients</strong></p>
<p>Natural plant-derived 5-5-5 NPK balance</p>
<p>5 Nitrogen (N) for active leaf and stem growth</p>
<p>5 Phosphorus (P) for strong, healthy root systems</p>
<p>5 Potassium (K) promotes vigorous flower and fruit development and disease resistance</p>
<p>Our biochar blend contains essential trace elements including manganese, copper, calcium, iron, zinc and sulphur. Also contains: <strong>Biochar</strong> created in a slow burn process; this charcoal delivers extremely positive long-term effects. Organically approved <strong>Seaweed and Wormcasts</strong>; plant growth stimulant and nutrient rich feed. <strong>Mycorrhizal fungi</strong> enable plants to take up more nutrients and water from soil."</p>
<p><a href="https://www.carbongold.com/product-category/grochar-fertiliser/" target="_blank">https://www.carbongold.com/product-category/grochar-fertiliser/</a></p> They seem to have three main…tag:harringayonline.com,2019-05-12:844301:Comment:11662172019-05-12T12:16:29.516ZHughhttps://harringayonline.com/profile/hjuk
<p>They seem to have three main products - compost, soil improver and fertiliser. Which in your experience might work best for the soil I described?</p>
<p>They seem to have three main products - compost, soil improver and fertiliser. Which in your experience might work best for the soil I described?</p> Thanks, Sally. I’ll take a lo…tag:harringayonline.com,2019-05-12:844301:Comment:11662142019-05-12T09:32:00.157ZHughhttps://harringayonline.com/profile/hjuk
<p>Thanks, Sally. I’ll take a look.</p>
<p>Thanks, Sally. I’ll take a look.</p> I’ve tried growing it by scat…tag:harringayonline.com,2019-05-12:844301:Comment:11660342019-05-12T09:05:31.644ZHughhttps://harringayonline.com/profile/hjuk
<p>I’ve tried growing it by scattering seeds, as I was directed too. Sadly none of them germinated. </p>
<p>I’ve tried growing it by scattering seeds, as I was directed too. Sadly none of them germinated. </p> Well it’s funny you should me…tag:harringayonline.com,2019-05-12:844301:Comment:11660322019-05-12T08:59:14.851ZAlison Phttps://harringayonline.com/profile/Alison
<p>Well it’s funny you should mention that Sally - Hugh and I had a discussion on this site about it a few years back, prompted by a visit to one of the big gardens in Enfield. I bought one which didn’t thrive but managed to get it to self seed so had a couple for a few years, but they didn’t thrive and have died out sadly.</p>
<p>Well it’s funny you should mention that Sally - Hugh and I had a discussion on this site about it a few years back, prompted by a visit to one of the big gardens in Enfield. I bought one which didn’t thrive but managed to get it to self seed so had a couple for a few years, but they didn’t thrive and have died out sadly.</p> It definitely sounds like the…tag:harringayonline.com,2019-05-12:844301:Comment:11662122019-05-12T05:57:53.551ZSallyhttps://harringayonline.com/profile/Sally294
<p>It definitely sounds like the soil in that bed could do with improving Hugh.</p>
<p>I've found a really quick & easy way is to water really well then dig in some pelleted biochar fertiliser (Carbon Gold do a good one) before applying a thick organic mulch to the bed.</p>
<p>Here's some more information about biochar, if you're not familar with it.</p>
<p>I've been using it alot in India, as the soil there is so dry & sandy.…</p>
<p></p>
<p>It definitely sounds like the soil in that bed could do with improving Hugh.</p>
<p>I've found a really quick & easy way is to water really well then dig in some pelleted biochar fertiliser (Carbon Gold do a good one) before applying a thick organic mulch to the bed.</p>
<p>Here's some more information about biochar, if you're not familar with it.</p>
<p>I've been using it alot in India, as the soil there is so dry & sandy.</p>
<p><a href="https://player.fm/series/roots-and-all/ep-11-biochar-with-craig-sams-of-carbon-gold" target="_blank">https://player.fm/series/roots-and-all/ep-11-biochar-with-craig-sams-of-carbon-gold</a></p> I love euphorbia's too - ther…tag:harringayonline.com,2019-05-12:844301:Comment:11660272019-05-12T05:40:16.300ZSallyhttps://harringayonline.com/profile/Sally294
<p>I love euphorbia's too - there seems to be one for every aspect & available space in a garden.</p>
<p>I have the delicate darker leaved European splurge, Euphorbia Dulcis 'Chameleon' scattered throughout my borders, as it self seeds around when it's happy. It tolerates shade & some dryness but grows better under a moisture-retaining mulch.</p>
<p>I also particularly like the Euphorbia cyparissias 'Fens Ruby' (Cypress Spurge) especially when it naturalises amongst other low growing…</p>
<p>I love euphorbia's too - there seems to be one for every aspect & available space in a garden.</p>
<p>I have the delicate darker leaved European splurge, Euphorbia Dulcis 'Chameleon' scattered throughout my borders, as it self seeds around when it's happy. It tolerates shade & some dryness but grows better under a moisture-retaining mulch.</p>
<p>I also particularly like the Euphorbia cyparissias 'Fens Ruby' (Cypress Spurge) especially when it naturalises amongst other low growing plants.</p>
<p>If you like acid green I wonder if you've tried Smyrnium perfoliatum? It seems to have gained in popularity since this article was written:</p>
<p><a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/howtogrow/3312642/How-to-grow-Smyrnium-perfoliatum.html" target="_blank">https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/howtogrow/3312642/How-to-grow-Smyrnium-perfoliatum.html</a></p>
<p>Placing potted plants amongst your borders for additional interest is a great idea :)</p>