[Vixx]

Hi folks, I'm new to all of this so please be gentle... I have a reasonably large garden at the front of my house and would like to grow veg. We've never tried to grow anything before, our neighbours on either side have shrubs in their gardens that look great, so I tried planting a couple of small but established Christmas trees that had been happily living in their pots for a couple of years...they nearly died within days..I'm happy to report that after putting them back into their pots and lots of TLC, they are once again thriving...I think the problem might be the clay soil we have...Any suggestions?? Thank you,, Vicky

[TonyB.]

Welcome.

Front gardens tend to be mainly lawn or driveways. Both of which are not very good for soil quality!

Given that your soil is clay  it is going to need a lot of TLC. Chances are that it has not been dug over since the house was built.

Your local allotment association may be able to point you in the direction of a local farmer who can deliver bulk manure. Don't be surprised to find bricks and boulders left over from the building of the house. You probably face a mammoth task getting the soil workable.

Good luck.

[Fairy Plotmother]

Welcome Vixx.

[mumofstig]

Welcome to the forum

Perhaps the way forward would be to put in some raised beds, they can be very productive. Have a look at New shoot's front garden here
https://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=119486.msg1404401#msg1404401