FWIW...My "In-Ground" garden areas (quite large areas) are outlined by trees and large oleander bushes. I do get roots in the gardens competing for the water but I've never had a problem growing veggies at all. If I find a particularly invasive root system I just cut it out and it's never had an effect on the trees or bushes. I think you'll find that even if you were to cut the roots off at the edge of the bed they will grow back looking for water and nutrients that you put-in for the vegetables.

Just my two cents...

I have no problem cutting them back and having them grow back as long as I can still grow veggies :) Tomorrow I'll have at it with the shovel and see where I can get. I don't think the tree roots will kill a few tomatoes, peppers and turnips.

Try raised beds?

I think I'll pass on the raised beds this year and concentrate on keeping the roots at bay. We'll see how it works out!

Some trees, like Maples, have a web of surface roots and are just about impossible to garden under. Others like Scarlet Oak have taproots and are not too bad. If you have the surface rooters, your situation is hopeless. As soon as you start watering and fertilizing your garden, it will become a solid mass of tough roots. Raised beds will not help; I tried that and failed. Maybe you can build a raised bed with some kind of sealing sheet under it, like plastic film. It might work.

Well I just went outside to survey our expansive estate :). It appears that there isn't a spot in the entire yard which doesn't have a maple tree 15ft from it. So I guess It's either time to start cutting them down or come up with a root resistant solution for a veggie garden. Now that I looked at the garden plot again, there really is a mass of feeder roots. I'll try to find my digital camera tonight and post some photos.

-Gil

Yes, tree removal is the most practical solution. Tree roots will just keep coming back and sucking the life out of your garden. They are relentlessly hungry and thirsty.

I had a neighbor's tree who's roots were invading my garden space. I dug a trench about 20 ft long and 14 inches deep and burried 14 inch long plastic siding panel segments to cover the full length. It seems to have helped tremendously. I seem to now have encroachment from other tree roots on other sides of the garden. So I will wind up having to repeat the process. My only problem is that I know there is a phone line in that area and will need to get this marked before proceeding.

My friend offered me a roll of this http://www.deeproot.com/template.php?sec=contact&content=landing2&gclid=CIuDkIvptZQCFQRgswodhk7xTQ

from a left over bamboo install at his house. I might put it in. For now I'm doing some container gardening and some in ground as far away from the maple as possible...