What are the best edible plants to plant in poor soil with minimal sun?

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  1. peeples profile image93
    peeplesposted 9 years ago

    What are the best edible plants to plant in poor soil with minimal sun?

    Are there any edible plants who don't mind horrible dirt (not worthy of being called soil) and minimal, 1-2 hours sun per day?

  2. billybuc profile image86
    billybucposted 9 years ago

    Plants or veggies?  I've never failed with potatoes...and kale has always grown no matter the weather.  If you're asking about plants other than veggies I have no clue.

    1. peeples profile image93
      peeplesposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks Bill, anything is a start. We just found a little farm land, but it's dirt. Trying to get any ideas to get started!

    2. billybuc profile image86
      billybucposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      You might also try garlic and beets....and I've seen beans grow in almost sandy conditions. In fact, I have yet to have a bad bean crop no matter what the soil was like.

    3. peeples profile image93
      peeplesposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Beans, I had good success just planting those in our yard this year. Good idea!

  3. BWD316 profile image82
    BWD316posted 9 years ago

    You could always try some herbs too. It's going to be hard to grow anything where it only gets two hours of sunlight. Mint is a pretty tough plant, just be careful that it doesn't take over! Like Bill mentioned, kale does well in shadier spots and maybe some lettuce too. Great thing about gardening/farming is you get to experiment and find what works best! 

    Also, since the soil is bad, ever consider adding compost to it? Or even building a raised bed in that location.  Hope that helps! Good luck!

    1. peeples profile image93
      peeplesposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      It's a new acre covered in grass so everything is going to be step by step. Just want to get things started where I can. Mint is awesome and I love how it can take over an area. Compost and raised beds later, but mint could go in at the start. Thanks

  4. Happy Moment profile image81
    Happy Momentposted 9 years ago

    I think it will depend on the chemical nature of the dirt.Whether organic or inorganic.If it is organic,it will decompose after a certain period and add humus to the soil which is actually good for the plants that you are going to plant.If inorganic, I would advice you to think of something like sorting the dirt out as the effect on plants will be negative. There are plants which will do well under short light exposure.Vegetables like spinach.

    1. peeples profile image93
      peeplesposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I think it should be ok to not remove any of it. It's been driven over a good bit, but I think with some time and compost it should be ok. I do like spinach though. Thanks.

  5. Billie Kelpin profile image88
    Billie Kelpinposted 9 years ago

    Peanuts are fun to grow, especially for the kids to see.  We had some nice loose soil in Waseca, MN where the person who owned the house before us grew EVERYTHING including peanuts!!!  Hard clay doesn't work for peanuts.  Is the soil horrible because it's clay?  Be sure to get a ph tester so you know what you're working with and then research what acidic level the plants you want to grow need.  You can always amend the soil.  Sounds like fun and the raised beds sound GREAT!

    1. peeples profile image93
      peeplesposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      My husband loves Peanuts, The soil is almost sandy, car driving over it too many times, pressed all down. Going to till but still sandyish. Got the PH tester, just got to get out there and get it done. Thank you!

  6. peachpurple profile image80
    peachpurpleposted 9 years ago

    Watercress and spinach, i don't buy compost, just use the soil in my garden and plant the roots not seeds. They grewsprouts of leaves on 2nd day

    1. peeples profile image93
      peeplesposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks peachy! We make compost but never buy it. Spinach seems to be a good idea. The kids hate it, but I'd enjoy it.

  7. cat on a soapbox profile image94
    cat on a soapboxposted 9 years ago

    Hi peeples,  Since you have compacted soil, and raised beds are too much to take on now, how about growing some leafy green in a few containers? You will need potting soil, but the watering is easier and will get to the roots for better growth. Some options: lettuce, chard, spinach, kale, bok choy, parsley, cilantro,&  arugula. Containers can also be easily moved to sunnier spots. Good luck and happy gardening:)

 
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