Great tip re the turf, thanks LF. I have 2 Azaleas, very small and they haven't really done much at all, that could explain why. Definitely going to test the soil. If it is Alkaline, I presume (but am probably wrong!) that I can add something to that area of the soil to increase the acidity?
That sounds very technical punkdoc.....note my name Will google tomorrow to see if it's as technical as it sounds, I need some sleep now, dream time to plan my garden
Lovely, Tracey. I think LeadFarmer has given some good advice. Most plants grow on most soils, but some are acid or alkali loving, but you don't have to use them if you want to keep it simple. As LF said, dig in compost and rotted manure, if you can get it, along the hedge. There are a lot of plants that grow in dry shade, have a look with "Google", not such bright colours, but some have lovely leaves.
If it were my garden I'd be digging up some of the lawn, you will have to be very nice to your OH! I also feed my beds more than I feed the lawn! But don't overfeed as you will get more leaves than flowers. I use organic fertilisers.
Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
Thanks Lizzie, I intend feeding well this year. Just been have a look at Begonias on Thompson & Morgan website, they are all beautiful. Planting some seeds over the next few days. I am so excited about this summer!!!
Do you have somewhere light and warm to keep the seeds when they have germinated into little plants? I don't start sowing yet, there may be a lot of horrid weather to come and plants can get weak and leggy while waiting.
Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
I didn't write that very well. I'm not planting begonias, just some Sweet Peas (inside on my window sill) and other bedding plants that have been recommended to plant as they withstand bad weather - Delphinium, Verbena and Rudbeckia. I can't remember who told me, it was on another thread. I'm not brave enough to try begonias from seed
This may not be so relevant for shaded areas, but for a new large border you can dramatically reduce the costs of planting by sowing the area with seeds. That way you get a summer of lovely plants and also gives you more time to plan and save for the plants you do want to buy for next year.
Thanks Brumbull, Sweet peas are one of the few varieties of 'seed' that I do well in producing little babies with....it's when they start growing and I plant them out they don't seem to do very well. So, I may well turn to him for some advice in a couple of months, thanks again.
LF, thanks again for more advice. I read somewhere about making a cottage garden type border sowing seeds direct in rows to have lots of colour and for ease, so am thinking I may give that a go. Let's see if it happens first, I'm trying not to get carried away as I still don't think OH will give up much of his precious lawn!!!
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I keep my Azealeas happy by feeding with sequestered Iron and a mulch of composted bracken.
for the fag ends of the aristocracy.
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
Lovely, Tracey. I think LeadFarmer has given some good advice. Most plants grow on most soils, but some are acid or alkali loving, but you don't have to use them if you want to keep it simple. As LF said, dig in compost and rotted manure, if you can get it, along the hedge. There are a lot of plants that grow in dry shade, have a look with "Google", not such bright colours, but some have lovely leaves.
If it were my garden I'd be digging up some of the lawn, you will have to be very nice to your OH! I also feed my beds more than I feed the lawn! But don't overfeed as you will get more leaves than flowers. I use organic fertilisers.
Do you have somewhere light and warm to keep the seeds when they have germinated into little plants? I don't start sowing yet, there may be a lot of horrid weather to come and plants can get weak and leggy while waiting.
This may not be so relevant for shaded areas, but for a new large border you can dramatically reduce the costs of planting by sowing the area with seeds. That way you get a summer of lovely plants and also gives you more time to plan and save for the plants you do want to buy for next year.
LF, thanks again for more advice. I read somewhere about making a cottage garden type border sowing seeds direct in rows to have lots of colour and for ease, so am thinking I may give that a go. Let's see if it happens first, I'm trying not to get carried away as I still don't think OH will give up much of his precious lawn!!!