Some gardeners have a strong opinion that nothing should be planted under a walnut. The walnut tree takes up a lot of space, but nothing grows next to or under it. Skillful, caring gardeners prove the opposite with their experience. They give advice, tell you what can be planted under a walnut.
What plants can grow under a walnut
Walnut is a large plant with a wide spreading crown. It has tasty and healthy fruits. Not only nuts, but also leaves are healing. As the walnut tree grows, the lack of space, especially on 6 acres, becomes noticeable.The question of the possibility of planting something near it is important.
Skilled gardeners claim that many plants are planted under the walnut crown and grow and bloom without problems.
Shrubs
Gooseberry, blackcurrant and blackberry bushes feel comfortable under young walnuts. It grows slowly, and before the crown becomes too wide and spreading, berry bushes are planted, which will have time to live out their life until the walnut tree grows:
- Black currant is a modest plant, undemanding to grow, takes root easily, and bears fruit in any conditions.
- Although currants are a light-loving shrub, they tolerate shade very well. In shaded areas, blackcurrant berries are larger than in open sun. Although the taste is more sour than fruits ripened in the sun.
- Walnut protects currants from the wind. The currant bush does not tolerate strong winds.
- It’s not bad if you plant more than one variety of black berry nearby. Cross pollination increases the growth of ovaries, the fruits will become larger.
Some gardeners believe that no insects fly under a walnut tree. Other gardeners claim that bees fly and pollinate flowers. The main thing is not to be afraid to experiment.
Walnut leaves that have fallen and overwintered under a tree are a useful fertilizer for berry bushes.
It is also possible to grow raspberries from a nut. She calmly tolerates shading, but wild raspberries grow in the forest. Gardeners talk on forums about the success of growing remontant raspberries and about abundant harvests of large berries. The nut releases phytoncidal substances that repel insect pests and protect plants from diseases and parasites.
Spices
To save space in the garden and not be left without spicy herbs, use the soil under the walnut. Medicinal herbs are planted under it:
- mint;
- lemon balm;
- tansy;
- celandine.
Herbs and seasonings will coexist peacefully with the nut plant:
- basil;
- tarragon;
- marjoram;
- parsley.
All spice crops are shade-tolerant. Celery is planted around the trunk. Some gardeners plant garlic. While the nut foliage turns green, the garlic will have time to sprout. Then the lush crown will protect the garlic from direct sunlight.
Flowerbed under a walnut
If you are afraid to plant garden crops and don’t want to risk the harvest, set up a flower bed under a nut tree. Flowers will delight the eye, decorate the garden, filling it with wonderful aromas.
Since the tree has a lush crown, unpretentious plants are planted that can easily tolerate shade and lack of moisture. There are many shade-tolerant flowers and shrubs. They are planted individually or created in flower beds.
Early spring flowers suitable for growing:
- lilies of the valley;
- primrose;
- crocuses;
- irises;
- tulips;
- daffodils.
Flowering shade-tolerant shrubs:
- viburnum buldenezh;
- hydrangea.
Perennials with beautiful flowers:
- daylilies;
- astilbe;
- blue cyanosis;
- lungworts;
- loosestrife.
According to gardeners, ferns, hostas, and azaleas grow well under a walnut tree. Experienced gardeners grow bulbous plants in the spring and creeping ground cover plants in the summer.
Features of planting plants under a tree
Plants should not be picky, since under the spreading crown they experience partial shading. Also, plantings must be resistant to soil drying out.
It is very convenient to plant flowers in flowerpots, for example, evergreen begonia:
- To make flowers tolerate partial shade more easily, they are planted on the east or south side of the nut plant.
- Hosta is grown at a distance of at least one and a half meters from the trunk.
- Celery is planted around the trunk. Darwin tulips also grow, develop, and bloom well close to the trunk.
Chrysanthemums are placed closer to the border of the tree crown.
Further care of crops
Caring for garden crops under walnut is no different from caring for plants growing in a regular place:
- In order for the plants to be healthy and develop well, it is advisable to thin out the crown of the nut tree more often. The procedure will be useful not only for the plants, but also for the walnut tree itself.
- Gardeners advise trimming the lower branches and collecting fallen leaves. There is no consensus among gardeners about leaves. Some argue that the foliage is harmful to the plants under the tree, while others believe that it is beneficial to them as mulch and fertilizer.
- Plants under a walnut tree need to be watered more often because they lack moisture.
The substance released by the nut, juglone, destroys harmful insects, pathogens and bacteria. Weeding, loosening, fertilizing are standard care required for crops.
Useful tips
Growing walnuts requires a lot of space. It has a highly developed root system, powerful roots grow several meters. The dense crown creates shade over a large area.
Before planting a walnut tree on a plot, especially a small one, you need to think carefully about all the points. It is more convenient to plant a walnut tree near the house. But even in this case, when planting, it is necessary to take into account the distance to the house, since the roots of the tree can damage the foundation.
If a walnut has already been planted and produces useful fruits, then it is advisable to make good use of the soil under it. Many plants are planted under the walnut tree. Gardeners successfully grow tomatoes, eggplants, and zucchini under it.We must try and not be afraid.
