| Our yard is on a 15 degree slope and we planted our vegetable garden on the only level spot, close to some trees. The sun doesn't get high enough in the sky to hit the garden until 9:00 AM, and by 6:30 PM the garden is back in the shade. The garden hasn't done well and I suspect it is due to insufficient sun. Also the soil is mostly red clay. Are there vegetables I could plant that would do well under these conditions? Should I consider planting a terraced garden in a sunnier spot? |
| In all honesty sun all day from nine to after six should be plenty of light for a vegetable patch, so I suspect the problem is with either the tree stealing water and nutrients (the roots can reach far beyond the tree canopy) or with the soil itself. The best way to start improving soil is run some basic soil tests so you know exactly what amendments and nutrients are needed. In addition, garden soil is almost always improved by adding copious amounts of organic matter such as compost, rotted leaves, old stable manure and bedding, etc. In some extreme cases it is a better idea to try raised beds than to dig down and improve the existing soil (these can even help with a slope and are great for limited space gardening). Your County Extension (696-3500) should be able to help you with the soil tests and interpreting the results. |
