Any ideas for a shady bare patch?

[Green-Moo]

This may be a nice spot to create a herb spiral. You can find some great designs to copy on the net & plant it up with herbs that you use in the kitchen. Can you create a channel to draw rainwater away from the bed whilst it establishes? Perhaps put down paving tiles or gravel for drainage, then put your spiral, or even just some pots, on top of it.

[Serenity]

This may be a nice spot to create a herb spiral. You can find some great designs to copy on the net & plant it up with herbs that you use in the kitchen. Can you create a channel to draw rainwater away from the bed whilst it establishes? Perhaps put down paving tiles or gravel for drainage, then put your spiral, or even just some pots, on top of it.

Green-Moo, that sounds interesting! I've never seen a herb spiral. Yes, I could create a channel ok I think...it's just the amount of water that pours off that edge is from the whole hill might be too much for it. I'd need to figure out how deep it would need to be. I love the gravel idea with pots on top of it. I'll investigate herb spirals more, thanks very much for that idea!

Any suggestions on herbs suited to shade? It does get a bit of sun in the morning, maybe a couple of hours but once the trees fill in more that might not be the case.

[Green-Moo]

Any suggestions on herbs suited to shade? It does get a bit of sun in the morning, maybe a couple of hours but once the trees fill in more that might not be the case.

Mint, bee balm, parsley, thyme and chives all do well in shade. I've heard that sage & oregano will also do OK.

[Chris]

most herbs require full sun, not a good idea for shade.

[Serenity]

Thanks for the herbs tips, Green-Moo and Chris! I think perhaps what I'll do is prepare the area with the gravel etc and just put in a few container flowers just now that are suited to shade until the trees are in full bloom. Then I'll have a better idea what the conditions will be for most of the growing season.