Shadey and Wet

[Westi]

Hi

Your esteemed advice requred. My friend has asked advice on growing some edibles but her back garden is partly shaded by the neighbours very large and old trees and she thinks there is an old spring or something also making it a bit wet. I have given her some watercress which I thought might like the spring bit - it doesn't run off but is quite clear so is filtering somewhere.

What other can I suggest to her to make this ground usable?

Westi

[oldherbaceous]

Dear Westi, do you know what type of soil it is? If it's heavy clay i think i would tell her not to bother.

[Westi]

It's sandy OH - doubt there is much nutrients but also doubt you can't improve it without making a bog. Although might get something from the spring.

Westi

[oldherbaceous]

Dear Westi, i think i would pull the soil up into mounded rows and plant into these.This would stop the plants roots constantly sitting in water.
As long as it's not too heavy shade i would try most things.

Just experiment a little, and see what will work, at what time of the year.
Make sure they put some plant food in the soil though.