Planting A Shade Garden

There are different methods for planting various types of plants in you shade garden. In general, you will plant them just as you would anywhere else in the landscape.

Caution If planting your shade garden under a large tree do not roto-till the soil around the root system. Tilling can damage the root system of the tree, compromising the trees health. Instead plant each plant individually being careful not to damage any major roots. In other areas, such as on the side of your house, tilling is okay - just watch out for buried utility lines!

• Plot the perimeter of the garden out with marker paint, flour or a garden hose.
• Then spray any grass plants or weeds that are growing inside the marked area with a solution of glyphosphate (Killzall, or Roundup). Spraying is best performed on a calm day so as to avoid drift of spray on to you, and to desirable plants in the landscape. When mixing chemicals always follow instructions on product label. When spraying chemicals wear protective clothing and eyewear. To be on the safe side, take a shower after spraying and wash clothes seperately.
• **If you are spraying under a large tree, or a group of trees, it's best to pull weeds by hand, or spot spray rather than drench the soil and/or roots that are exposed with herbicide. Allow spray to dry on foliage for a period of two hours, then you can till or begin planting. Remember, to avoid damaging a tree, do not till ground under or around the canopy.
• If the weeds are dense and tall, you may have to wait a week or so to plant. When the weeds have died, cut them down as low to the ground as is possible with a mower or weed trimmer. Now you are ready to plant. Otherwise, if weeds are sparse and low, allow two hours for herbicide to to dry before planting.
• If you are planting in an area that can be tilled or turned under, disperse a 1-2" layer of compost, such as mushroom compost, composted manures, or your own home made compost over the garden area. Till or turn ammendments into the soil at a depth of 6 inches or so. No need to add fertilizer. After tilling rake smooth. You are almost ready to begin planting.

Note: It's okay not to till or turn the soil in a any garden. You can add ammendments later when planting in undisturbed soil.

• Now, following your plan, you can arrange all of the plants and/or trees in your garden, making sure to space properly to allow for future growth, and allowing space for plants you couldn't find right away. Use marker paint to draw circles in the garden that indicate the width of missing plants, that will be planted later. Most all plants are sold with a plant tag that shows height, width and various other information.

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