What vegetables and flowers will survive under the drip line of walnut trees?
Hardiness Zone: 3a
Lorraine from Lone Rock, WI
Lorraine,
The only vegetables immune to juglone (the toxic substance produced by walnut trees) are squash, melons, beans, carrots, corn, and black raspberries. Some veggies are very susceptible to the effects of juglone (e.g. tomatoes, peppers, potatoes), so for that reason, I recommend composting any debris from your trees (leaves, twigs, husks, and wood chips) before adding it to the garden. This give the juglone time to break down into non-toxic components, and minimizes the risk of injuring highly susceptible plants.
Here is a list of ornamental landscape plants hardy to your zone that should do well under walnut trees:
Good luck!
Ellen
About The Author: Ellen Brown is an environmental writer and photographer and the owner of Sustainable Media, an environmental media company that specializes in helping businesses and organizations promote eco-friendly products and services. Contact her on the web at http://www.sustainable-media.com
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I DON'T KNOW BUT HAVE ALWAYS HEARD NOT TO PLANT ANYTHING UNDER THEM. I KNOW THE LEAVES ARE SUPPOSE TO BE POISON. WE ALWAYS TAKE THE LEAVES AND RELOCATE THEM IN THE FALL.
It's the roots that release a substance that is toxic to other plants to prevent competition. It's a great survival tactic but a challenge in the landscape.
I feel your pain. We have TWO walnut trees. Most plants will not do well anywhere near the walnuts but I've found most hostas and coral bells do fairly well. Everything else I've tried has died.
FYI - the root system is the most toxic but the leaves and nuts that drop are also toxic. So, if you can keep the leaves cleaned up, a built up bed with a plastic barrier in the bottom below some new fill dirt may work.
I have had much success with periwinkles, zinnas and cosmos. They return each year.
Plants for a Future has some excellent info on the uses of walnuts. Doesn't go into what will live under the drip line though.
www.pfaf.org/
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