nothing grows

Discussion in 'Gardening Other' started by sassyshue, Apr 3, 2012.

  1. sassyshue

    sassyshue New Seed

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    Nothing has grown in my front flower bed facing the south for the past 3 years like my petunias or marigolds.Last year I tried impatiens they just sit there or they just die. Anybody have any ideas?
     
  2. marlingardener

    marlingardener Happy

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    Impatiens like shade and cool--a south facing flowerbed doesn't fit their requirements.
    Zinnias would do well, they like warmth. You could try cosmos or dwarf hollyhocks. Cockscomb is a possiblity also.
     
  3. toni

    toni Mistress of Garden Junque Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

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    Is it a sunny or shady south facing bed?
     
  4. sassyshue

    sassyshue New Seed

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    It is sunny there. I tried all the sun plants.About 3 years ago my plants we just beautiful. Now they will not do anything.
     



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  5. toni

    toni Mistress of Garden Junque Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

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    Sounds like you need to work on making the soil healthier, it is lacking nutrients if you can't get anything to grow.

    Compost is always a good soil booster. dig lots of it in before planting.

    I live on top of an old cotton field with very rich, albeit black clay, soil so I haven't really had a nutrient problem yet that compost in the planting hole didn't take care of.
     
  6. Annette

    Annette Seedling

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    the front of my house faces south, and is in shade. it has been a very difficult journey to get it into shape. what did you plant that did so well? were trees cut down, or what has changed? i agree with toni, amend the soil, and mix it well. good luck finding what will work, and don't give up!
     
  7. Jerry Sullivan

    Jerry Sullivan Garden Experimenter Plants Contributor

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    Time for an experiment? :) Three of the same plant, 1st in the old soil, 2nd in amended soil and the 3rd in a hole with all new soil. All three get watered the same. See what happens......take pictures. Just a thought. :)

    Jerry
     

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