Best way to revive soil?

Veronica
by Veronica
I have a north facing back garden, quite large, the is soil terrible its called Marl I don't have the enthusiasm to grow anything could someone in the community suggest what I do with it apart from selling as we only moved in last year.

Thank you

  7 answers
  • Itsmemic Itsmemic on Mar 19, 2018

    north facing gardens are so hard to grow anything. I know..mine is too. I gave up and planted a bunch of hostas and called it a day..

  • Katie Dillon Katie Dillon on Mar 19, 2018

    You can also try astillbe,coral bells and cauladium.

  • Veronica Veronica on Mar 19, 2018

    Thanks you for taking the time to answer my question. I think I will hard landscape it and bring in lots of large pots.

  • Nelson Goodwin Nelson Goodwin on Mar 19, 2018

    Make raised garden beds. Start composting and in a year or two your raised beds will be great!

  • The hardscaping may be the way to go, it can look really cool, turn it into a secret garden. Hydrangeas, bleeding heart and caladium may all do well. Here are some links for ideas. Even though they are US based, you might be able to find bits and pieces you like and can incorporate.


    https://www.pinterest.com/barbaraosterman/north-facing-flower-garden/


    http://www.landscape-design-advice.com/hardscape-materials-for-shady-and-moist-areas.html


    https://www.hgtv.com/design/outdoor-design/landscaping-and-hardscaping/north-facing-garden


    How about a fire pit back there for chilly nights? When we go camping in early spring or late fall, I have a camp kettle for my tea. Might be something to consider? Or is it just us Americans that love fire?

  • Nancy Turner Nancy Turner on Mar 19, 2018

    Don't be discouraged because your yard is north facing. My front yard is north facing and has a huge maple (five feet across) and a big elm, so after leaves come out I get no sun at all. I have a jungle in front. Between the hostas, that are in the ground, and all the pots that I have, it is literally a jungle. I have five hibiscus, Two huge half barrels with elephant ears and coleus, two hanging pots with bright tuberous begonias and the citronella geraniums on the end tables, everyone calls my front yard a jungle and they wish they could do it, too. Our front is the only one that has large plantings besides shrubs along the house (we took ours out, they were ugly) and hostas along the sidewalk. My next door neighbor, who doesn't do anything outside, even put out five pots of flowers to make her front look brighter! Don't be discouraged because the back yard is shaded, there are so many plants to choose from that do better not in sun all day. Even my hibiscus, which most have in all day sun does better out of the afternoon sun, after I moved the two that were in the afternoon sun, it started blooming so many flowers, in the sun I got maybe two at a time. After moving them, they started blooming up to a dozen going at one time.

  • Inetia Inetia on Mar 20, 2018

    Desert landscaping. Cover a large portion of it with a concrete patio, stone and gravel walkways, dry creek bed, raised planting beds and container planting’s.