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Starting my shade garden today!
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Posted: Mar/18/2007 5:15 PM PST
We have this large area on the east side of our house that was overgrown with invasive weeds and non native vines that were killing some of the small trees trying to grow. So my husband took a machete to them and cleared out a large space. He had built a "fort" for the kids to play in a few years back and thought this would be a good place to put a compost bin. ( They dont really play in the fort anymore though)  He built that bin yesterday for me. We divided that shaded area into 5 sections--just to make it more manageable while we're trying to create our garden. So today we are working on Section1. We went to the nursery and got some shield ferns, leatherleaf ferns, Annable, and Oakleaf hydrangeas, holly ferns, mini azaleas and Bleeding hearts. I took some preliminary pics and hopefully within the next month we'll have some sort of shade garden to show you all.  I am so glad there is a shade garden section on here **Brilliant!** Otherwise, I'd have a harder time trying to visualize what I should put. I had never heard of Bleeding Heart until I read it on here. Very pretty! Attachments:    |
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Posted: Mar/18/2007 6:11 PM PST
Keep us posted on your progress! And don't forget to keep them watered all summer as that must be dry shade. |
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Posted: Mar/18/2007 6:25 PM PST
Ah. That is true. I just took a break from digging. It is almost like digging through mulch and roots. Not very easy. I was kind of hoping for nice, dark, broken down, composty soil  Definitely NOT the case! I will be sure though to keep it watered and will post more pictures once we get more done to it.
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Posted: Mar/18/2007 7:08 PM PST
I'm sure that garden area is full of roots. Make sure all your ferns like dry shade. Not all shade is created equal. There are fewer plants that like dry shade than moist shade. Don't hesitate to exchange any plants that won't tolerate that dry area. |
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Posted: Mar/19/2007 12:43 AM PST
Congratulations on your 1st section! I have a small section of mostly shade to full shade a=only mine is moist I get the run off from my garage ,the garden is much smaller then yours it is only 25ft by about 4 feet wide,(maybe4ft,I hope 4ft *lol) I have to deal with lava rock that was put there several years ago ,so I am building it up and trying to keep the new grounds on my property (it can easliy go through the fence to my neighbors grass *lol) I just stuck a piece of wood there for now . I only have Hostas (4different) Mona Lavenders (one of my very favorites) maybe a few ferns (that love moist soil going to trade for them) that need to be put into the ground they are still in pots. You are way ahead of us here in zone 5 we are still waiting for the weather to break up here... Keep ups posted it is going to be beautiful! If you have Perennial exchanges in your area they are very much fun to participate in, you learn so much and swap small cuttings (roots) for different ones,saves lots of $$.I didnt have much when I first started going so I started lots of plants from seed and swapped them not to go empty handed.I love going my Garden Club is running another one this year so I have at least 3 to participate in.You meet lots of gardeners too! Catch you soon. Excellent comment Sweetlebee some ferns like moist soil! Kale
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Posted: Mar/19/2007 2:23 AM PST
Thanks for the garden swap tips. There is a garden club here in town, but I have never gone. However, I did read an article about them doing a plant/seed swap last year. It is definitely something worth investigating, just because this took a chunk out of the pocketbook today. (But other than antiquing, I don't normally spend so much!  ) I do have a couple of lacecap hydrangeas that I rooted myself from a couple of plants I already had-so that will help. BTW, I am so excited about my 2 new Annabelle's! I have never had one and always wanted one.The only thing I am really worried about its it being so dry, but hopefully with the new mulch my husband made today from all the clippings and the compost piles, it will help to enrich the soil. We actually got allot done today on sect 1 and hopefully I'll have some new pics to show maybe as early as next weekend **cross fingers** |
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Posted: Mar/19/2007 3:33 PM PST
Swaps are an excellent way to go,but be forewarned some are like a bunch of mad plant lovers and plant hugs that grab before you can get to see the plants. Some are more organized and run smoothly,some are go and get or loose out! Have FUN! Congratulations on your Annabelles! Kale
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Posted: Mar/21/2007 1:05 AM PST
One of my Annabelles was burned in the fire. But not the house
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