Can you plant vegetables where evergreen bushes once were?

I'm thinking of removing several evergreen bushes and replacing them with an edible landscaping. Is this possible or will the soil be too acidic for vegetables or fruits?

If you can assure they are removed entirely roots and all then you can make it work. That usually means a bit of deep digging to get it all (depending on the type of evergreen). Then get the soil pH tested professionally - contact your local county extension office or a local professional landscaper for this.

Then you can adjust the soil pH based on the test results. Lime can be added to raise soil pH into the vegetable range or sulfur added to reduce it (make more acidic) if needed. You can't just assume an acidic pH because evergreens grew there - they also grow in alkaline soil.

Note that both lime and sulfur are relatively slow acting so the first year's returns may not be ideal.

Dave

Thank you so much for your help! I actually was going to make this a year long project to improve the soil and not plant this year. The soil has a lot of heavy clay, so its needs work to begin with. I was thinking of removing the evergreens, and then enriching the soil with lots of leaves, shredded newspapers, in both the spring and in the fall. I was also thinking of covering it with black plastic sheeting to let it "cook" in-between adding nutrients, but I'm not sure if that would be a hinder or a benefit. I wouldn't plant until spring 2016. Thanks again!

It's always a good idea to get your soil analyzed, but that evergreens once grew in a particular spot, especially if they were purposely planted, is no indicator that the soil's pH will be too low for vegetables. Also, while the roots might be a nuisance when it comes to working the ground, there is no real need to remove them other than your own convenience. Their hydrocarbon chains will eventually be cleaved by soil life and the nutrients used by a wide variety of fauna/flora, including your veggies.

Al

Thank you all! I didn't think about getting the soil analyzed and I appreciate the input about adding lime or sulfur depending on what the outcome of the testing is. All I could think about was what if I did all that work and then couldn't plant what I wanted. thanks for putting my mind in the correct frame!

I agree a soil test is usually an excellent way to diagnose before you "dose" your soil with additives.

As a fellow clay-dirt gardener, I feel your pain. And the bad news is, the amending never really ends - the organic matter we add breaks down over time (sometimes in just a season), and the soil can quickly revert to hard clay. I make it a habit to put down a thin layer of rotted manure compost on my perennial and shrub beds every spring (as soon as it gets warm enough for me to work comfortably outside) and then top dress with fertilizer and mulch.

My small vegetable garden gets a cart or two of manure, too - tilled in before I plant. And anything else I can throw on it in the fall - rotted straw bales, kitchen waste, etc. I turn it under coarsely and let winter do its thing, then give it another turning in the spring. Eventually the soil gets better "tilth" but it is a non-stop battle it seems.

Yes, clay is difficult! Thankfully most of my yard is not clay. This area with the evergreens is particularly troublesome because it is wet clay. I swear I only have to water it once a season and its good to go for 3 months! One year I planted a flowering bush that ended up not doing well there and the next year when I went to remove it, the roots hadn't even begun to expand into the surrounding soil. Its going to take a lot to get it into shape.

As I write this I'm realizing that maybe my goal is really just to "fix" the wet area and maybe I should rethink the plantings. I got ahead of myself thinking about an edible landscape! We have an insect problem in our backyard. It is totally surrounded by tall evergreen trees and misc. hardwood bushes. The mosquito and no-see-ums makes it difficult to enjoy the backyard and patio even during the middle of the day. I've always felt that this soil area was part of the problem. We've pruned some of the lower hanging branches of the tall evergreens (they aren't the Christmas tree type - more spindly wind block/privacy type) to try to get more air flow through the backyard and I do not let standing water anywhere. So this wet area is my last horizon in trying to fix the problem. Sorry I've changed the subject! But you all helped me analyze the situation and I'm thankful for that! Thanks everyone!