How to improve without replacing dirt?
3 ft x 10ft area-bad soil-what is a good ground cover-nobody sees this area except me this is complete shade thanks how can I make this area better without replacing the dirt?
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Hi Terry, here's a link that has a list of several ground cover plants that will work in the shade.
https://www.finegardening.com/article/10-ground-covers-for-shade
Terry: I solved my issue like that --- buy just putting in a nice layer of gravel.
I have an area in my yard similar to yours and I bought rubber mulch and spread over it and it looks very nice I can even sit potted plants made for shade on it if I want.
If you want to amend the soil here is some info
https://www.hgtv.com/outdoors/gardens/planting-and-maintenance/how-to-amend-garden-soil#:~:text=Amending%20Poor%20Soil%20With%20Lime,help%20make%20soil%20more%20acidic.
you can also get soil sample kits at Lowes and send them in for analysis and some county extension services offer soil testing you can go online to your county extension service in your state to see if they have info online where to send the soil
What about river rock?
Hi Terry. You don't have to replace the soil. I use a mixture of equal parts soil, manure, and sand. I have had good results with this mixture. I replenish my garden every spring. Good luck Terry. I hope all is well with you.
A native ivy won’t take?
I agree with Cindy. Ask at a good garden center (take along a sample of the soil) what to add to the bed to make soil healthy. Dig the additives in, rake smooth, then plant something, even if only hostas and ferns. You'll be glad you did. Gardening in a shady area is a pleasure in the hot summers.
Mulch and add plants in pots.
There are some posts here on ground covers that might help you:
https://www.hometalk.com/search/all?filter=ground%20cover
This should help: https://www.whiteflowerfarm.com/ground-covers-for-shade
Here's an article I wrote on improving soil: https://thekitchengarten.com/how-to-improve-garden-soil/
You could build a raised planting bed area there if the soil is really bad. That way you could add your own soil.
Hello Terry,
Pave it. Lay Gravel, Timber deck. Pots of plants to cheer you. Hope that helps!
Pachysandra is a terrific shade ground cover that spreads very nicely.
Here's a post that might help - https://www.acsgarden.com/articles/other-gardening/making-a-bad-soil-good.aspx#:~:text=Plants%20need%20nutrients%20to%20grow,high%20level%20of%20soil%20fertility.