[slugwarrior]

I have an area on my allotment that is near some large trees, so the soil is quite dry.  part of the area can be shaded in summer and part of it gets a fair amount of sun.  Any suggestions what I can grow here? i am thinking of something that won't be part of my crop rotation. do you think asparagus would fare well in the sunny part?  my soil is clay but i am working on it.  I have raspberries growing in half of the shady part, they do OK.

[Swing Swang]

The roots might be a problem too.

Maybe you could 'plant' some non-living things: seat, compost bin, shed

SS

[paintedlady]

Maybe you could 'plant' some non-living things: seat, compost bin, shed

SS

maybe some shade loving herbs - mint would do very well 

[JayG]

I think asparagus is a no-no as its roots need to spread far, wide, and deep.

Shallow dry soil is generally not great news for most veg nor is the shade, although various types of salad leaves, parsley and other leafy veg can stand some shade.

Depends partly on just how much soil depth you actually have to work with and how much you are prepared to water to compensate for the thirsty tree roots and canopy of leaves.

[mumofstig]

In the sunny bit, I would dig a few planting holes, fill with good compost/muck, put in a watering pot, and plant some pumpkins/squash. Then you can just leave them to it, apart from the watering

[Stevens706]

You could always build a raised bed there.