I would like to start a garden in my courtyard. Each part of the courtyard only receives about 1 hour of direct sunlight a day (there is a small patch of light that travels from one end of the courtyard to the other). The rest of the time there is a lot of indirect sunlight. It is sheltered from the wind and I am based in Sydney, so about to go into a summer that is hot and dry with the occasional heavy thunderstorm. I'd like to have a mixture of fruit, vegetables, herbs and flowers. Can you recommend anything in particular?
You will want to look into shade gardening. You will find many articles here:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/shade
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/hgen/shade-tolerant-herbs-for-your-herb-garden.htm
I have a problem! my front yard is shaded most of the morning and afternoon, but gets about two hours of noon sun. I have some shepherd hooks and would like to hang some bright potted flowers, but I don't know what would work in that kind of sun. I can't move the hooks anywhere else in the yard. Do you have any suggestions?
This article will help you: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/shade/shade-tolerant-flowers.htm
This is my first attempt at veggies. It's in an area with semi shade. I'm planning two 8 x 4 raised beds (3 sleepers deep). Is it workable?
The following article should be of some help to you:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/vgen/raised-vegetable-gardens.htm
While the size of your garden does not seem to be an issue, you may want to consider the shade aspect. How much shade exactly? Most vegetables require at least 6 hours of sun for optimal growth.
I have a very narrow, small garden that is half shaded by a large hedge -- morning sun on hedge side and afternoon sun on opposite side. The soil under the hedge never dries out much. I also have soil between paving slabs that are in need of ground cover -- something fast growing and easily maintained would be great. What would I need to have a small, yet pretty, and practical garden. I love flowers!!
These articles will give you some good ideas for plants to grow in this space:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/shade/shade-tolerant-flowers.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/shade/ground-covers-for-shade.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/shade/plants-for-shady-borders.htm
I have several shade trees where grass will not grow. I would like to plant some plants that would live in the shady area (maybe Ivy). What are your suggestions?
These articles have some suggestions:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/shade/ground-covers-for-shade.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/xeriscape/xeriscape-shade-plants-plants-for-dry-shade.htm
English Ivy should do fine in the shade but will try to climb the tree.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/tips-for-growing-grass-under-a-tree.htm
Are there vegetables that can grow in part-time shade? I have an area that gets good sun until about 2:00 pm and then begins to be shady.
This article should help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/vgen/shade-vegetables.htm
I have a small plot for my vegetable garden in my backyard. It only gets about 5 or 6 hours of sunlight a day due to the shade from my house. Can I plant any vegetables or herbs that require that few hours of sunlight a day?
Most vegetable plants will grow in an area that gets 5-6 hours of sun. They may not grow as large as plants who get more sun, but 5 hours is the minimum for vegetables to be able to produce a worthwhile crop. So, I think you can plant anything you like there. But there are some veggies that do best in that light condition. These include lettuce, cabbage, broccoli and spinach.