Discussions

I have a spot on the south side of my home that is about 10 feet along the length of my house and 3 feet deep that I just cannot get anything to grow. There was an empty flowerbed there when we first moved in. I tried different plants over the course of about 3 years but nothing seemed to take. Two years ago I decided to put it to grass, but despite my best efforts, grass refuses to grow as well. I've fertilized the soil over the years and still nothing.  
 
I know it's a little early to be thinking about landscaping, but I've been looking for ideas on what I can do with that space. I've Googled and looked on Pinterest, but was wondering if anyone out there has any ideas! I don't want to have a lot of upkeep and don't want to spend a ton of money, but want to get rid of the ugly dirt patch.  
 
Thanks in advance!

a few possibilities for you...  
 
Cover the area with mulch, place pots of sun loving plants on the area. Decorate with solar lights, neat rocks, chairs, etc  
 
Remove the soil... maybe it's poor nutrient wise. Add compost, peat, etc. into fresh soil to make a nice nutrient rich soil. Replant with sun loving perennials like lilies, daylilies, peonies, sedums, etc. Lay soaker hoses and water faithfully. Mulch around the plants to keep moisture in and weeds out thus being more maintenance free for yourself.

I agree with valleyrimgirl. Good ideas.  
 
Edited by Flutterby, 2018-03-22 09:37:23

I agree with removing the old soil and putting in new. Maybe the pH in the soil is off, although I think there may be a few products to fix that.

How far down would I have to dig to remove the old soil? Would replacing the top couple inches be enough or would I have to go deeper than that?  
 
Sorry... not an experienced gardener here! Haha

Sending you a pm. Added a pic.  
 
Edited by JoBeth, 2018-03-22 10:10:01

I have a similar issue. My house was built in The 50's. I discovered that there was cement under the soil and so rrots could not establish themselves and anything I put in that spot died. This year I am building a flowering over the site to have a raised flower bed. I'm not putting a bottom on so it will have that extra room for roots. Maybe that could help you as well.

I find these will grow anywhere. Love the full sun.

Just because it is the south side of the house does not always mean there is sufficient sun there. Has to be a min of 6 hours of sun to call it sunning! In that case you want shade plants like hostas.  
If you in deed have 6 or more hours of sun, try diging holes 18 " across and 10-12" deep and put your plants into these holes with rich new soil. No need to dig the entire plot up.

You could make a really nice pathway and rock garden through there

I had exactly the same trouble trying to grow plants on the south side of my house. About 8 years ago I planted cedar ground cover and some dwarf globe cedars in this area and they have absolutely thrived on the heat and lack of moisture as I never water them after the first year I planted them.  
Good luck

Level the area, pour some gravel and put a table and chairs for some R&R. Put a few potted plants, a little fairy garden, maybe a lawn swing or hammock. Hang some twinkle lights. Could be a nice place to read a book on a summer morning or evening!