Hi Eric – if you have true bedrock at 2′ deep, then I would probably make raised beds. You could still do an in-ground garden, but mainly focus on above ground vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, cucumber, squash, peas etc. You can grow in 2′ no problem. There are lots of people who even grow vegetables in 5 gallon buckets with holes drilled in them. Effective is relative, as long as you come out ahead financially and enjoy it, it is worth it. Personally, I like being able to pull out hot peppers all year from the freezer to use in eggs, etc. You could take a piece of rebar or something to try to probe other areas of your yard to see if you find something more favorable.

I can understand the rock situation. We are in Appalachia and although not on a ‘mountain’, we are rocky and undulated enough. See here and here for examples. There is one strip of that garden that is about 3-4′ wide that is almost solid rock. Not solid, but like a gravel range that varies in size from golf-ball to tombstone sized. But, it isn’t totally solid. So, I assume (or hope) that fibrous roots find the cracks. None the less, I removed about 2-3′ of rock, and have backfilled with topsoil/compost. But, I’ve gotten decent yields overall in this garden. Also, my garden is 17’x17′ for reference. The 4′ fence actually keeps the deer out. I can’t explain why, it is like it just makes it inconvenient enough to where they go eat the neighbors flowers instead.

My method for removing rock (which at times seems solid) is as follows;
– I have a 5′ digging bar
– 4′ spade
– Use the digging bar loosen/crack the rock. Find cracks, areas I can lever off ot.
– Pry up large rocks. Once I can remove them, I remove them.
– For smaller rocks, I fill my wheelbarrow and dump somewhere else.
– For the bigger rocks, I’ve just tossed them along a fence. Assuming that I will someday build a firepit with them.

So, if you are actually on bedrock, I’m not sure you have many options. Raised beds would be more expensive, but much less effort. Plus, if you would have to backfill with bought soil for an in-ground garden, perhaps it would make raised beds more attractive. But I definitely sympathize with your situation. My back does too.

Joe

Excellent! Let us know how it turns out!

Hi Janny – we are located in South Central Pennsylvania. We are right on the border of USDA zone 6/7, which I think would be Canada zone 7. Montreal looks to be Canada zone 5, so that would be quite a large difference in the growing season. Also, if you are referring to the two before/after photos – those were in some very nice soil! The owner (my Mother and Father in-law) had used leaf mulch/mold for many years. So, the soil was very fertile, black-loamy dirt. That helped a ton in growing the plants so large so quickly. Also, I was transplanting into the garden as soon as I could. So, the end of the first year some of the plants had managed to bloom, which is rare in my other experiences (poor soil, formerly lawn) of the same species.

But in short, that location had great soil, and a longer growing season. That probably accounts for the main differences. You can fix the soil by heavily amended with compost. But there isn’t too much you can do about the growing season, unfortunately.

If you aren’t making your own compost yet, maybe start a pile? I generally top-dress certain plants with compost in the fall/winter. It can also help correct the occasional nutrient deficiency. And, if I’m planting something that absolutely has to have really good drainage, I amend very heavily with compost. It really turns compacted clay into really nice and loose dirt. Compost can really help ‘jump start’ your plants.

Also, maybe join our Facebook Group, Gardening with Native Plants. I’d love to see pics. You can also pose questions, get answers, etc. It’s a good place for info.

-Joe