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Gardening

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Original poster

what can I plant under my oak tree?

25 replies

dipsymummy · 12/04/2007 22:19

We have a huge oaktree at the ensd of our very small garden and it is so thirsty that a huge area of grass around it has died.tI have tried everything from reseeding etc but I thinnk its not going to happen.
can anyone give me ideas to what I can plant there? thought about herbs or veges but I guess it would be fruitless> any suggestions to what can do to liven it up? it looks beautiful when the tree is in full bloom but there is ahuge bare patch around it?

OP posts:
spudmasher · 12/04/2007 22:23

There is a bare patch under it because the area is starved of light and water - the two things plants need to be able to grow well. I would put a bench under it.

giraffeski · 12/04/2007 22:27

Message withdrawn

Original poster
dipsymummy · 12/04/2007 22:29

hmm....that makes me feel a bit better as thought I had let things go after having the kids.
the grass was growing well when we moved in 1o years ago but I guess the oak tree ghas grown and its been particularly bad these past 2 years.
I am a complete novice to growing vegetables-do you think its a good idea to plant them under the tree in containers or trays? want to do something with the kids and though it may make good use of the space.

OP posts:
Original poster
dipsymummy · 12/04/2007 22:29

wish I'd kept my placenta now!

OP posts:
spudmasher · 12/04/2007 22:31

DO NOT PLANT ANYTHING UNDER YOUR TREE!!! Especially veg. They need as much light and water as possible. Not in the ground, not in containers, not under the tree.

Greenleeves · 12/04/2007 22:33

I have been planting a woodlandy wildflower bit under my Bramley apple tree - so far I have forget-me-nots, primroses, bluebells, crocuses, celandine, wild violets, daisies, and a few pansies and marigolds. It looks lovely. I also have lots of ivy growing up the tree itself.

Other ideas - poppies, campion, little wild strawberries, foxgloves, cornflowers.

Greenleeves · 12/04/2007 22:34

spudmasher, that's crap. My wildflowers are thriving under my tree.

spudmasher · 12/04/2007 22:36

But it is a huge oak tree and it is hard work to grow stuff under a tree. The ground sound so dry.

spudmasher · 12/04/2007 22:37

Dipsymummy also has a shed crisis.

NuttyMuffins · 12/04/2007 22:37

I have a huge oak tree behind my back fence and it over hangs a 3rd of my garden and I have no grass what so ever uner it now, it is a pain in the arse.

Greenleeves · 12/04/2007 22:38

Oh yes, you'll need to water it every day. But that's not very difficult.

RustyBear · 12/04/2007 22:39

I posted a similar thread a couple of days ago about my copper beech tree - and fishie sent me this link, which is useful for shade plants.

It currently looks beautiful under the tree as the ground is covered with bluebells, whitebells, primroses and celandines, but the rest of the year it's very bare.
Someone suggested azaleas (depends on the soil apparently0 and someone else cyclamen.

spudmasher · 12/04/2007 22:39

We also need to establish the direction dipsymummy's garden faces....

Original poster
dipsymummy · 12/04/2007 22:55

eastfacing...

OP posts:
Original poster
dipsymummy · 12/04/2007 22:59

rusty-had a quick look at the link but will look in more detail.
I think my problem is the thirsty roots more than the shade
I had a beautiful montana climbing up it (and my bloddy dreaded shed which is under the tree!), and last year it just died!!!
I know most will say I shouldn't have planted there buy was recpmmended it at the garden centre as being wild growing and a great climber for trees!

OP posts:
maccapaccasmankysponge · 12/04/2007 23:08

My baby oak tree should have truffles under it (I hope...)

thefuturesbright · 13/04/2007 10:47

ivy - it'll cover the ground and you can pick it off the tree, it won't do the tree any harm if it grows up it

spring stuff that flowers before the leaves come on the tree will do ok; just expect it all to get a bit challenging from about May onwards when it gets shady and the tree sucks up all the water

the further from the oak's roots the better the chance for the plant (obviously) so if you invest in something fab like a camellia give it a fighting chance, and WATER IT LOTS especially this year

Original poster
dipsymummy · 13/04/2007 12:50

nice one!

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GamePointGary · 13/04/2007 12:50

deceased pets

WigWamBam · 13/04/2007 12:53

Cyclamen's another plant which grows well under trees.

Original poster
dipsymummy · 13/04/2007 13:00

not that i have any pets but will bear that in mind
cyclamens-can I plant them at the base of the tree or is that asking too much?

OP posts:
Pruni · 13/04/2007 13:05

Message withdrawn

AnnabelCaramel · 13/04/2007 13:05

A little house for the Pontipines.

WigWamBam · 13/04/2007 13:55

My cyclamen start at the base of a tree and have spread to about three feet away - and they're doing really well. You want the little woodland ones rather than the big showy things. They smell gorgeous as well.

Original poster
dipsymummy · 13/04/2007 14:21

Thanks wigwam.so should I go ahead and plant them now?

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