What to do with unused, shaded, garden space?

[styles]

We have some garden space (around 2x2.5m, haven't measured it yet).

It's completely shaded.

It's also a bit of a trick to get to as have to go through a shed to get to it (could change this, but won't for other reasons).

I'm considering a water butt, but I don't really need a 2m diameter water butt so will still have loads of space.

I'm thinking maybe making a couple of raised beds and growing herbs and some leefy veg.

Is there anything I'm not thinking of which could be handy?

The previous owners used it to dump birch cuttings, exercise equipment, and kids' bikes they don't want, so I've had a fun day of it clearing that out. Seems a shame to waste the space.

The alternative is extending the shed. Arguably we could do with the space. Or at least, I can always find more tools to fill the space for that one project which will never happen!

 

[frankmoh]

I would probably do the same as you, plant... plants! Ones that work in shady areas.

 

[Acey]

Fill it with Hostas /Ferns/Bugles ( Ajuga ) and other shade loving plants and create a cool shady retreat ! That's what I 'm doing with my shady spot,not finished yet !

 

[LYradial]

Hostas can be usefull, actually like shade you just need a few slug pellets, there are some very interesting shades of leaves and small to very big plants.

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[cb a1]

Pond with ferns, hostas, etc. around it. Leave it as quiet as you can. Great bit of biodiversity space.

 

[Bevan Price]

If you get a lot of rain, the area is liable to get overgrown with moss. You cpuld create a small garden pond, but if the shade is friom trees, you would need to remove lots of dead leaves every autumn. Or, as suggested above, you could grow shade-tolerant vegetables or decorative plants.

If you search the BBC gardeners question time website, you should be able to find plenty of other suggestions

BBC Radio 4 - Gardeners' Question Time

Horticultural programme featuring a group of gardening experts

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[McRhu]

'G' gauge layout.

 

[swt_passenger]

Patio slabs and a brick built barbecue.

 

[AndrewE]

If we are going to get much more of this weather ("Scorchio!") how about tidying it up to make a cool & shady secluded sitting area?

Maybe even sling a hammock for when the house is too hot to sleep in?

 

[dcbwhaley]

We have some garden space (around 2x2.5m, haven't measured it yet).

It's completely shaded.

It's also a bit of a trick to get to as have to go through a shed to get to it (could change this, but won't for other reasons).

I'm considering a water butt, but I don't really need a 2m diameter water butt so will still have loads of space.

I'm thinking maybe making a couple of raised beds and growing herbs and some leefy veg.

Is there anything I'm not thinking of which could be handy?

The previous owners used it to dump birch cuttings, exercise equipment, and kids' bikes they don't want, so I've had a fun day of it clearing that out. Seems a shame to waste the space.

The alternative is extending the shed. Arguably we could do with the space. Or at least, I can always find more tools to fill the space for that one project which will never happen!

A seat. Sitting in the shade is better than sitting in the sun

 

[dangie]

….Maybe even sling a hammock for when the house is too hot to sleep in?

Actually not a bad idea. One of my ex-workmates at the power station was previously in the Royal Navy. When he was on night shift when he got home in the morning he often slept in a hammock in the garden. Reminded him of his navy days.

 

[styles]

Thank you for all the suggestions! Some good inspiration!

I think we are going to go with getting some nice paving in, a water butt, a couple of hostas and a raised bed for a sort of herb garden. Will get a couple of seats so we can sit and enjoy the peace, as it's pretty seculuded and noise-protected.

I do already have a couple of hammock I use for camping which isn't a bad shout for something to lie down and read a book in - once everything else is in place I'll see how the hammock would sit corner to corner

 

[LYradial]

Sounds good to me, hostas do well in pots and are easier to manage, there are also some very elegant ferns,

 

[AndrewE]

I think we are going to go with getting some nice paving in, a water butt, a couple of hostas and a raised bed for a sort of herb garden. Will get a couple of seats so we can sit and enjoy the peace, as it's pretty seculuded and noise-protected.

I do already have a couple of hammock I use for camping which isn't a bad shout for something to lie down and read a book in - once everything else is in place I'll see how the hammock would sit corner to corner

Choose your herbs with care, I think a lot are Mediterranean in origin and need sun and heat...