Question
Hi Laura!!

Here's my problem:
I have a long, narrow piece of empty land (about 3 1/2 feet x 20 feet.)  It is on the west side of a fence that runs north to south, so it doesn't get much sun after 1pm.  I live in Cali so the sun that it does get is hot and dry in the summer.  I want to plant there because it is what you see when you look out my sliding glass door off my bedroom, and right now is just dirt.  I tried to plant some veggie seeds and nothing.  I think it needs a good till and some good nutrients added but I would like to come up with a design idea.  I've thought about planting a flowering groundcover, but I would like something more interesting, since the space is so small.  I thought I could use the fence with a trelace and something climbing for visual interest.  Any ideas?

Answer
Randi,
At first glance at your question it seems like a design theory,but on second thought,the soil is THE most important task and should be addressed first.The reason for this is because when you design with plants you have to use the correct plants for your soil and climate situations.It sounds like a Xeriscaping project if you want to go with hot dry weather and dry,unyeilding soil conditions. If you have photos that would help.
Xeriscaping is when you plant the sort of plants that are already growing in nature in your particular area and making a design with those native plants.
Is that the type of garden you would like? If you plan to plant other types of plants you will have to ammend your soil with organic material and will need to break up and turn the soil first then add compost and dried clippings and leaves and natural material.