Maggie,

I'm hoping to close very soon on a house about 10 miles from where I live now - there had been some foundtion work done on the house that I am not sure was up to speed and so have delayed closing pending a structural inspection. It is a large lot that is very shaded and park-like, filled with tall oaks spaced fairly close together - a high canapy over nearly the entire lot that allows just enough dappled light for the right species of grass to grow - no bermuda grass in sight!   In essence, the trees are the garden. I doubt there is enough sun anywhere to grow a veggie garden, though there is one corner where I might be able to have a winter/spring salad garden. I'll just have to observe the light for a year to see, and study up on shade gardening while I do that.

If I do close on this place, it will be very different from anywhere I have ever known and all my aesthetic sensibilities will have to adapt, including those related to the garden.

Janie