My Garden

Steep bank, north facing

Last post 21-03-2009 11:03 PM by Phot's-Moll. 4 replies.

• 02/03/2009 09:54 PM

  Austen Location: nr Newmarket Joined on: 20 Feb 2009 Posts: 12

  Reply | Contact Hi there, I read the recent post about planting a bank with interest and not a little envy - I have a similar situation, but my bank is north-facing and will be therefore not very sunny, at least at turf level. Pic here, in the recent snow: http://www.burywebworks.com/snow/p7lsm_img_1/fullsize/STA70377_fs.jpg  The bank has an apple tree growing on it, and a few other small bushy plants.  I'd like to grow some fruit-bearing trees/shrubs (perhaps some types of nut?) along the gap between the tree and where the shot is taken from and would appreciate advice on what would suit. The fruits/nuts would have to be dog-friendly, as you can see from the photo, but I don't expect you all to be vets as well gardeners extraodinaire! Thanks! Austen.

• 20/03/2009 06:35 PM	In reply to
  russian Location: Hants Joined on: 25 Nov 2008 Posts: 27	Reply | Contact Hazel seems shade tolerant and not too big.  Blackberry and blackcurrents and rhubarb seem OK in shade.

• 20/03/2009 07:30 PM	In reply to
  bogweevil Location: Joined on: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 2,043	Reply | Contact Hazels, cobnuts, filberts all should do fine, but do I perceive a ditch? Ditches means moisture and moisture is what quince trees relish. Quinces won't harm dogs - most dogs benefit from the occasional thump on the head from falling fruit. Boggy Beware the bat-eared bogweevil

• 20/03/2009 07:50 PM

  In reply to

  Austen Location: nr Newmarket Joined on: 20 Feb 2009 Posts: 12

  Reply | Contact Thanks Russian & Boggy. Funnily enough, I was just looking at Hazel trees online.  Are they self fertile?  No idea about trees, really. There is a culvert running from my position as photographer past the tree and under the footbridge.  The left side is vertical (railway sleepers) while the right side that my dog is standing on is steep for about 4-5ft and then levels off.  I'm putting a laurel hedge along the fence that you can see on the right. I like the idea of Quinces.  I expect if I had a hazel tree or two, the local squirrel population will nick it all.  We are very rural here.  Apart from quince jelly, what can I use the quinces for? Cheers, Austen.

• 21/03/2009 11:03 PM	In reply to
  Phot's-Moll Location: The sunny South coast. Joined on: 06 Jan 2007 Posts: 3,347	Reply | Contact  You can add them to fruit pies and crumbles, put them in fruit compote, use to flavour chutney and jam - in fact just about any recipe where you use apples or pears can have quince added. Whether you think you can do a thing, or think you cannot, you are right.