Front of house a mess - please help!

Quick 411: Moved into a new property last year and guilty of neglecting the exterior. Finally getting the ambition to change that.

There's a flower bed directly in front of the porch, but unfortunately, vines are the only thing growing. Upon closer inspection (see picture), the soil looks to be very, very dry and ashy.

I'd just like to grow some basic green shrubs/bushes in the bed. I have NO idea where to start, though. Do I need to completely dig out the ashy dirt and wood chips, or can I plant something on top of some top soil? The area is about two feet by 18 feet. Moderate sun exposure, usually between 11-2 PM.

If anyone is patient enough to offer a step by step, I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks.

To start you'll need to get rid of all the weeds etc that's there either by digging(the fastest way) covering with something to kill it then just rake out the dead stuff or spraying vegetation killer, last resort because you have to wait to plant anything.
Next you'll need to amend the soil. The wood chips look like some much so you can just rake it it .Easy way- get some nice rich garden soil, easy to have delivered if you don't have a pick-up, Do not use top soil.
If 11-2 is the only sun you get you'll need plants for shade.
Hydrangeas always look nice in front of a house.
You can do a custom search here.....
http://www.bluestoneperennials.com/b/bp/adv_search_mod.html
to find plants for your zone and soil/sun conditions
Hope this helps. Have fun!

I would add Mushroom compost from Wally World. It is cheap and works great. I use it for everything I plant. If you could show a pic of the bed we could probably help you more

Here's a split picture of the entire bed...

..and the other half.

I would go with the hydrangeas. hosta and some sedums. You can look these up on Plant files. There are many sedums but my favorites are Autumn Joy and Baby Tears. They both can be broken off and just stuck in the ground and they will root. If they are not good for your zone all you have to do is break some off and put in small pots to over winter in the house.

signing off for tonight, Smokey

This message was edited Jun 30, 2008 8:21 PM

Smokey, Flowerjen,

Thanks for the tips.

Do I want to alternate the hosta and sedums in a row? Am I looking for actual seeds, or grown plants that can be stuck in the dirt?

Also -I think I'm going to just get a cloth/tarp to put over the bed in order to kill the vine. How long should I leave it there?

-J

You'll want to buy plants- you are new to this aren't ya?


Hee hee..... until it's dead.

I would pull out all the vine that I could. You want to put in live plants. Check the tag on the plant to be sure it says shade plant. I would not plant things in a row. It makes it look a little boring. When you get your plants in the ground put down landscape fabric and then mulch on top. The fabric will help kill out the vine.

flowerjen,
Hee hee...good answer!