Kathy and Stuart Pickering created their rustic cottage garden in a stretch of field.
04.08.2023 - 11:57 / gardenersworld.com
Planting in shade can be a real blessing. Not only can you choose from beautiful and varied plants for dappled, partial and deep shade, but the soil in shady areas is often packed with nutrient-rich leaf mould.
That said, there are several important tips to keep in mind when planting in shade. If you’re planting up pots and containers for shade, it’s also worth adding some water-retaining gel to the compost, to help it retain moisture when temperatures rise.
More advice on gardening in shade:
How to choose perennials for dappled shade (video) 10 best vegetables for shade The best shade-loving plantsIn this short video guide, the experts at Moore & Moore Plants share their top tips for growing plants in shade, including understanding how much shade you have and improving the soil.
Make the most of the dark with our five top tips for successful planting in shade, below.
Improve the soilImprove the soil with plenty of organic matter before you start, to provide better water retention and improve aeration for root growth. Homemade leaf mould or compost is ideal.
Remove impoverished soilIf you’re planting underneath established trees, dig out the dry, impoverished soil between the large roots, and replace it with better soil from another part of the garden.
Use high-potash feedApply weathered wood ash from a bonfire or log burner to increase the potash in the soil. Alternatively, use sulphate of potash. This will promote tough, shade-tolerant plant growth. Do not apply high nitrogen fertilisers.
Fork planting holesWhen planting in shade, fork the base of each planting hole to allow the roots of new plants to go down into the cool, moist soil.
Mulch after plantingMulch the whole area after planting with a 7.5cm
Kathy and Stuart Pickering created their rustic cottage garden in a stretch of field.
Somehow, back-to-school season is upon us, and you know what that means: shopping and shopping some more. Between school supplies, dorm must-haves, and fresh outfits, getting your kids back in the classroom can put serious pressure on your budget. That’s why we turned to Dina Sweeney, director of merchandising for Kidpik, who knows everything about school shopping season and how to save. Luckily for us, Sweeney has been around the back-to-school block many times with her two college-age kids and is full of wallet-friendly advice. Read on for Sweeney’s top five tips for sticking to a back-to-school budget without sacrificing style.
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