Avoid these locations for vegetable gardens , or make the best of them with these wind .
Kindra Clineff
Most vegetable plants need lots of sunlight and food to be productive . If you have less - than - ideal growing conditions in your yard , you may still be able-bodied to keep a thriving vegetable garden filled withcrops that endure some shade . However , there are sure conditions that you should avoid by all mean because even with your well efforts , the plants will do poorly . Do n’t place your vegetable garden in the following locations .
Credit:Kindra Clineff
1. In Deep Shade
Most veg are n’t conciliatory about their lighting indigence , and require atleast 6 to 8 60 minutes of full sunper mean solar day to grow . Putting veggie beds in locations that are shaded most or all of the day will result in an unproductive garden . The plants wo n’t turn , and some seeds may not germinate at all .
The Solution : If your yard receives a lot of nicety , considergrowing veggies in containersor small raised bed with wheels that are easy to move around your garden to take advantage of the sunlight . For any planting locating that does not experience full sun , see for veggies that tolerate lower light levels , such as leafy greens and beets .
2. Under Black Walnut Trees
Black walnuts , white walnut , and a few other types of trees release a chemic compound known as juglone , which suppress the growth of neighboring plants . Nightshade crops , such as Lycopersicon esculentum and peppers , and a few other veggies , are specially sensitive to juglone . They may wiltor grow yellow leaf and even die if they ’re grown near black walnut trees or in mulch made from mordant walnut bark or wood .
The Solution : If you have black walnuts and similar trees around , locate veggie bonk at least 50 - feet away from the trunks . You may also want togrow veggies in lined raised bedsand blue-ribbon crops that are more tolerant of juglone , such as carrots , beets , melon , and squash .
3. On a Slope
Some get behind plant , such as pumpkins and melons , can be grown on squelch hillsides tosave garden space . But for the most part , it ’s best to forefend installing in - earth or raised bottom garden on slopes . Gardening on slop ground is harder on your back and ankles , but it also leads to erosion issues and causes plants and dirt to migrate to the downhearted side of raised bed .
The solvent : If you ’re dispense with a slim soil incline , horizontal surface bumps and ridge off with a excavator or pitch . However , if you have asteeply sloped property , you may need to create a terrace for a vegetable garden or raised bed , which is more involved , or grow veggies in corporation or container to position on a deck of cards or patio .
4. Directly Against the House
set veggie beds right beside your kitchen door seems like a commodious idea . However , garden place straight against building may not receive enough light . Even worse , they potentially become contaminated with lead from exterior paint and other material that you would n’t want in your homegrown food .
The Solution : Studies show that placing gardens at least 15 feet away from erstwhile building and other complex body part can reduce lead exposure . However , you may desire to position your garden even further away for safety . Also pay care to which areas of your yard are shade by your planetary house throughout the day and obviate placing your veggie garden there .
Planting directly against a house understructure create a moist , shady environment that mayattract termitesand other pests that may line up their way inside your abode .
5. Beside Busy Roadways
Roadways and driveways are oftentreated with road saltiness in winterto keep tricky chalk from spring . But when tender weather arrive , spring rains wash away remnant de - icing saltiness into garden that are locate too tight to roadways . This stimulate salt to build up in the grunge , and may bear upon plant ontogenesis and even make garden bed infertile .
The Solution : If potential , side veg beds far away from busy roadways and driveway , and avoid using de - icing products near your garden . Another manner to determine road salt issues is to grow veggies in tall leaven beds that keep road salt from splashing up on your plants . install fencing or temporary barriersmade with garden wager and gunny between roads and gardens also avail .
6. On Septic Systems and Leach Fields
grow comestible crop on septic systems and leach fields isnotrecommended because veggies and fruiting plant life potentially take in pathogens from leach field that can make you sick . apart from that , plant with long root systems may also trouble the soil in leaching fields and cause scathe that is pricey to fix .
The answer : Don’t place edible garden on top of or near leach study . If you require to grow anything on leach field of study , stick to turf Gunter Wilhelm Grass or ornamental with shallow root system , such asbee balm , yarrow , and cower phlox .
7. In Areas with High Winds
Vegetable plants can digest a fair amount of wind without exit . But site vegetable gardens in an area that ’s expose to solid winds for prolonged periods can lead to found stress and wiped out stem . Windy growing locations are even more challenging if you want to produce tall plants , such as edible corn orsunflowers .
The result : If your garden is exhibit to a lot of wind , install a fencing or other case of windbreak on the reign tedious side of your garden to protect your veggies .
For an cheap DIY solution , make a simple fenceor “ dead hedgerow ” by hammering wooden stakes in two parallel agate line into the stain on the windward side of your garden . Then weave stem and twigs in - between the stake to create a malarky roadblock . Dead hedge of this sort make first-class nesting site for pollinators and birdie , too .
8. On Hard Surfaces Without Precautions
Installing raised bed on top of hard surfaces , such as a terrace or paved drive , potentially lead to drainage issue and marshy dirt because the surface does not imbibe any urine . Not to mention , hard open may interfere with thegrowth of root veggiesand lead to stunt or deformed crops if your raised beds are shallow . It is potential to set up kick upstairs bottom on a hard airfoil , but you ’ll want to take some guard .
Solution : If you want to install a raised layer on top of an impermeable hard surface , make certain thebed is deep enoughto accommodate the radical organization of the flora you ’d wish to develop . For parent bed on a pack of cards , patio , or balcony , you may need to take additional precaution to avoid escape and woodwind hogwash , such as sealing your decking with waterproof sealant .
" Should I worry about grueling metal in my garden soil?“Oregon State University .
" Vegetable Gardens and Septic Fields Do n’t Mix " . The University of Maine .
