Four Techniques from Olle garden beds for Cultivating a Garden in the Shadowy Areas

Many plants need sufficient sunlight to thrive, but this does not mean that gardening in cool conditions is boring or impossible! Those who have shady gardens can still plant lush plants and oasis of fragrant herbs. The difference lies in the selection of plants and the adjustment of gardening technology. The following content also has some reference value for raised garden beds.

This guide will illustrate four ways to successfully plan and manage garden sites without continuous sunlight. From carefully selecting plants to purchasing the right soil conditioner and fertilizer, learn how to ensure that your garden continues to be beautiful - even if direct sunlight is limited!

Choose shade-friendly plants

If you have a shady garden, don't despair - there are many beautiful plants like shade as you do! From ferns to ferns, from impala to begonia, there are many options to create an oasis in the shadow. Here are some tips to help you choose the perfect shade plants for your own small resort.

Ferns add a lush and mysterious appearance to the garden and thrive in moderate and dark shadows. Hostas come in many shapes and sizes, with leaves ranging from bright green to eye-catching blue-green. Their large leaves create a beautiful background for other plants. The zebra antelope has been blooming colorful flowers all summer, and is thriving in the shade. Begonia is another of the most popular plants. Their leaves look delicate and their flowers are bright.

No matter what kind of plant you choose, you should choose the variety according to your interest and texture. Don't just stick to flowers - adding ferns or host plants and other foliage plants can make all the difference!

Add mulch to maintain moisture

Adding mulch to a cool garden is a simple way to help maintain this much-needed moisture. Although shaded areas are generally cooler and have better soil moisture retention, this is especially important when plants grow in shaded areas due to buildings or trees, because these shadow sources can dry the soil faster than other areas.

Organic mulch such as pine needles or bark can not only maintain water better than other materials, but also inhibit the growth of weeds. Covering can also help maintain plant health and appearance by adding important nutrients back to the soil. Doing so will ensure that your plants get all the nutrients they need and thrive in cooler conditions.

If you decide to use high-carbon mulch, such as pine bark, sawdust or chopped hardwood, please add nitrogen to balance the nutrients used in the natural decomposition process. This will ensure that your plants have enough nutrients so that they can continue to grow.

The ideal depth of the cover depends on the type of material you use. Two to three inches of cover is enough. Do not pile up too much cover around the trunk or shrub stem. Leave at least 2 to 6 inches between them and the cover to get healthier plants.

Allow airflow and sunlight

In order to make your shadow area as successful as possible, improving the airflow and allowing more sunlight to pass through the ground are the key steps to success.

Pruning trees and shrubs for shade will allow more air circulation and light to reach the ground. This also helps to reduce legs, which is a common problem of many shade plants. In addition, removing the lower part of the tree or evacuating some green plants can filter the sun to the rest of the garden. Finally, as time goes by, pruning will also stimulate new growth!

Soil improvement

The best way to improve the soil is to add organic substances, such as compost, dung and mulch. This will help to break the compacted soil, add important nutrients for plant growth and increase water retention. In addition, increased drainage can alleviate the surface roots of shallow-rooted trees and shrubs, which may compete for water and nutrients.

You should conduct soil tests to determine the levels of potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and calcium. If the results show that your soil lacks any of these essential elements, you can supplement complete fertilizer, such as 5-10-5 or 10-6-4.

Classification of shadows

There are various shapes and sizes of gardens, but no matter what size or style, one thing is certain: shadows can play an important role in the appearance of your garden. Understanding the basic classification of garden shading can help you plan and design an outdoor oasis suitable for you.

Filter shadows

This happens when the light passes through the trees with some gaps between the branches to let the sun pass through. In this case, the typical amount of light is one to four hours a day.

Open Shadow

You can find this type of shadow on the north side of a house or wall or under a tree with an open canopy. It allows sufficient bright light to enter the area without direct sunlight and provides openness from above.

Medium tone

Medium shadow is an open space, and some leaves may block some light. Although plants that like dark spots will do well here, they may not blossom unless there is enough light in key growth stages such as August and September.

Dense shadow

Finally, when the light cannot penetrate the dense canopy (such as maple, spruce or fir), dense shadows will appear. Dark tones provide extreme sun protection and heat protection, but are also difficult to use for plants that can grow under these conditions.

Summary

With a little effort and creativity, you can create a beautiful and cool garden and thrive in your climate. If you follow these four tips, your shady garden will be the envy of all who see it! Good luck on your gardening trip. I wish you a happy growth!