Re: the "no till" system (continued)
Loretta -
Don't worry - there is no one judging you here. Our ranks are full of both
amateurs and professionals.
Sounds like your situation is as I imagined it - one the edge of some
wildlands and with many native trees sharing the space. Deep, dry shade is
a challenge, but again, not impossible, especially with natives. Do work
on mulching now as you go into the winter season. You will have some good
composting going by next year. Do consider getting a few soaker hoses to
irrigate when necessary, but also consider not irrigating much during the
summer months.
On the web site, there is a list of dry shade plants that we've put
together (if anyone wants to suggest more, please send me their
list). Here is the URL:
http://www.support.net/Medit-Plants/plants/shade.dry.html
I would try and keep to the smaller plants to grow under the shade of your
trees, though there may be a need for a shrub or two as background or
screen. I recently saw a seed mix offered by Tree of Life nursery (San
Juan Capistrano; www.treeoflifenursery.com/) which was composed of shade
tolerant wildflowers - Achillea millefolium - Yarrow, Collinsia
heterophylla - Chinese Houses, Linanthus grandiflorus, Linum lewsii - Blue
Flax, Nemophila menziesii - Baby Blue Eyes. These would be planted now
through November for a spring bloom. One of my most favorite native
plants, Aralia californica - Elk Clover, likes to grow where there is a
seasonal seep or a bit a water trickling through all year. It is best in a
open shaded space where it handsome tiered leafy structure can be show to
advantage. It is a simply, quiet plant that I find very beautiful. It
combines well with sword ferns in the wild, and wild huckleberry.
Some more ideas - hopefully this direction will help you find more success
in your garden. I also rent my home and cannot do everything I'd like - I
understand your constraints and concerns.
Good Luck!
Sean O.
h o r t u l u s a p t u s - 'a garden suited to its purpose'
Sean A. O'Hara fax (707) 667-1173 sean.ohara@groupmail.com
710 Jean Street, Oakland, CA 94610-1459, U.S.A.
