Troublesome garden bed - Ask Extension
We have a small garden bed in the corner of our front lawn. About every 5-6 years, whatever tree we have planted there dies and we have to replace it....
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Troublesome garden bed #867937
Asked May 10, 2024, 5:51 PM EDT
We have a small garden bed in the corner of our front lawn. About every 5-6 years, whatever tree we have planted there dies and we have to replace it. We don't have difficulty growing in any of our other beds. It is on the southeast side of our house, about 12 feet away from the house, so it gets outstanding morning and afternoon sun. What do you recommend before we go out and purchase our next tree? Would soil testing give us any clues?
Franklin County Ohio
Expert Response
Good morning Tracy,
From your description, it sound like the location would be ideal for a specimen tree. I would definitely do a soil test. I have attached information below.
https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/hyg-1132
The sun requirements as well as the distance from the house sound ideal as well. Another thought would be the plants proximity to the street. If you are close to the street and the area could get salted during the winter, a more salt tolerant plant may be required.
I have also attached a tree planting guide to help you once you get your soil tests back, just in case there was an issue in the care and planting of the trees.
https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/tree-planting-guide.html
I hope these help, and as always, OSU Master Gardeners are here to help! Best of Luck!
Leslie
EMG
From your description, it sound like the location would be ideal for a specimen tree. I would definitely do a soil test. I have attached information below.
https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/hyg-1132
The sun requirements as well as the distance from the house sound ideal as well. Another thought would be the plants proximity to the street. If you are close to the street and the area could get salted during the winter, a more salt tolerant plant may be required.
I have also attached a tree planting guide to help you once you get your soil tests back, just in case there was an issue in the care and planting of the trees.
https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/tree-planting-guide.html
I hope these help, and as always, OSU Master Gardeners are here to help! Best of Luck!
Leslie
EMG
