One of the big problems in any garden is planting in the shade cast by trees and large shrubs. Not only is there a problem with lack of water but also light levels are low and the soil lacks nutrients. The first recourse is to mulch the soil with either good garden compost or well rotted manure. This will add nutrients and the organic matter will hold on to the water. At this point I must say that if your problem is a large evergreen, give up trying to grow things under it and disguise the base either by planting shrubs and perennials outside the drip line of the foliage and/or by planting climbers away from the tree/shrub's roots but with the support angled towards it. Try to match the vigour of the climber with the size of its host though.
Some trees are allelopathic, i.e. they produce chemicals which inhibit seedling germination and growth. Walnut (Juglans species) is a well documented example but research into this is continuing and many plants may well have similar protections. (A possibility here for an organic weedkiller?)
You may well be contemplating an irrigation system at this point. I would suggest a completely different approach. Now that nutrients are available look for plants that actually enjoy these conditions.Next time I'll talk about these plants - there are quite a few, honestly!
Some trees are allelopathic, i.e. they produce chemicals which inhibit seedling germination and growth. Walnut (Juglans species) is a well documented example but research into this is continuing and many plants may well have similar protections. (A possibility here for an organic weedkiller?)
You may well be contemplating an irrigation system at this point. I would suggest a completely different approach. Now that nutrients are available look for plants that actually enjoy these conditions.Next time I'll talk about these plants - there are quite a few, honestly!
