Help with my proposed vegetable patch.

[Decentralist]

At the top of my garden there is a very good patch where I coul grow vegetables and herbs but the problem is only gets sparse sunlit because of the garage wall and the neighbour's high fence next to it.

Is there anyway that anyone knows of here that I can make the area better for growing things. I was thinking of using mirrors but of course that is likely to scorch the ground and plants.

[Rod in Japan]

You could decentralize your garden and plant some of your stuff on the other side of the neighbour's fence.

Sorry ... You'd probably do better Googling for shade tolerant plants. There seem to be quite a few that are. I'm sure some of the permaculture books deal with the subject too.

[Decentralist]

You could decentralize your garden and plant some of your stuff on the other side of the neighbour's fence.

Unfortunately it is tarmac.

Sorry ... You'd probably do better Googling for shade tolerant plants. There seem to be quite a few that are. I'm sure some of the permaculture books deal with the subject too.

Are any of these shade tolerant plants good for food. I like flowers and ornamental plants but I was more looking for food and other useful flora.

[Rod in Japan]

Well when I Googled it briefly, I found that most leaf veg and brassicas are shade tolerant, as is rhubarb. Your local garden shop will also be able to advise you on good local options.

[The Riff-Raff Element]

Rhubarb is good in the shade.

Could you perhaps make use of raised beds to lift your planting a bit more into the light?

If you neighbour consents, you could also perhaps consider painting your side of the fench in white to maximise incident light.

[Thomzo]

My vegetable patch gets a lot of shade from the shed and tall trees. I still manage to grow raspberries, rhubarb, strawberries (you can put these in hanging baskets to raise them up to the light), beans, courgettes, potatoes, cabbages (although the caterpillars got to them first), garlic, onions, blueberries. I think woodland fruits such as currants and blackberries do ok.

Expanding on Riff-Raff's idea, if you paint the fence and the garage wall white then any light will be bounced around the area (think mediteranean courtyard). Many plants prefer diffuse light to strong sunlight anyway. Instead of mirrors, try hanging up old CDs on string. They will reflect the light but not as strongly as a mirror so won't burn the leaves. Plus they will sway in the wind creating pretty light effects and scaring the birds.

The one thing you might need to watch is water. The high fence on one side of the garden creates a really dry area at the bottom which stops things growing. Can you put a waterbutt off the garage roof? Then you could run a leaky pipe to your veg patch ensuring everything gets lots of water.

Have fun and happy gardening.

Zoe

[Rod in Japan]

Some good advice there Thomzo.

Unfortunately it is tarmac.

You could launch some of these bunker-busting daikon at it. We vegetabalists have answers for everything.

[Decentralist]

Thank you all very much for your advise.

I'll certainly try and paint the fence white and hang up some old CDs and try and grow some of those plants you lise Thomzo. Can't say I've had alot of past experience, I've only grown a few strawberries.

I'll also try and use water from the garage roof, although in Sydney we don't get enough rain really or when we do it tends to torrents for a few hours and then it stops.

My parents are away in Europe at the moment and I don't think I'll start painting stuff until they get back next month but I'll keep you informed.