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ForumsNew Gardeners Green Rookie with roots in soil, lots of pots. Can I still garden?
I'm wondering whether I can even garden at all... I dug up a planter next to the foundation of my house and discovered that it is infested with the root system of an old vine. Can I do anything about that? Do I have to take those out one by one? The space is not big either, would I be better of trying to create a raised bed in the space? I also have lots and lots of pots for potted plants, can I garden in a series of those?
Roots.....no fun at all. I guess if it were me, I'd go the raised bed, cedar/whiskey barrel, container route. I have one side of my house that is so congested with maple tree roots that I finally decided to put mulch down and plant in whiskey barrels. I don't enjoy digging (too hard on the back) so that's what I did.
Containers are fine, depending on the size and type of plant you want to grow - just need to water more often. I think the bigger the container the better. Small containters dry out too fast.
Hi,Kayagreen, Welcome. I go with Janet: DON'T DIG IF YOU DON'T HAVE TO!!! Ewwww......just painful thinkin bout it! X-(
The containers may be best way to go. I'd be leary of raised bed right up next to foundation. Any vegetation growing up too close to siding, presents a "termite super-highway"....been there, went through that.....hopefully learned my lesson! ;\
If you go the container route, and they're all kinda close together or in a row or some "fairly" straight configuration, how bout installing a "drip emitter" line along route of pots. You won't have to stand there with a hose or watering can. Just turn on outside hose that line is hooked up to and little emitters will water pots for you. But if you do the raised bed thing, again, before planting this would be time to install soaker hose to water plants. Less work for you. Better water conservation!
I'll build off of this with my own question about roots. I have a mature maple in my backyard that has shallow roots EVERYWHERE. Seems I strip off sod, and there are roots right underneath.
Will it harm the tree if I build a raised bed over a major root?
One gardening book I was looking at recommended not doing so as it would weaken the tree...guess they have those shallow roots for a reason. I love the shade the tree provides, so I don't want to weaken it, but these roots are driving me nuts!
Hi Linda, Well, I don't know if it would hurt your tree, but don't be surprised if the tree roots invade your raised bed! I have 4 whiskey barrels beneath/nearby our maple trees. 2 years after placing them there, I decided I wanted to move one of them - it wouldn't budge! After a lot of pulling and tugging, I finally got it loose, and what do ya know - the maple roots had attached themselves to the bottom of the whiskey barrel and started to grow up through the water drainage hole into the container! Had to rip and tear to get it loose. So you might want to consider another location for your raised bed. Maples roots are a pain in the neck....but those beautiful leaves every fall make up for it, don't they?!!!
I wouldn't suggest a raised bed under the maple tree either, because, yes, the maple roots will invade and they will suck that bed dry. I too have a large maple tree with many exposed roots. My strategy is to fill in the areas between the roots with compost and just barely cover the roots. Then I put in plants that like really dry shade and can do without deep soil. Liriope, some sedums, ajuga, sweet woodruff to name a few.
Hi Kayagreen, It is best to not plant vegees next to the foundation. What kind of "old vine" was/is there? Are you trying to get rid of it? Well, as for containers, we rent so that is the majority of my gardening, I have done it for a long time and it works for me, I grow fruits, herbs, vegees, and flowers in containers, it can be done so don't be afraid to try. Goodluck, I hope that helps Angelswings
If the vine is dead, then you can get rid of the roots by inviting earthworms and pill bugs to dinner; massive amounts of B&W newspaper over it. Course, I don't know what that would do for termites. Hmmmm. good luck, and keep up appraised, eh?
