LG we're also right on the line where two types meet (between free draining and impeded drainage in our case). We've done quite a bit of deep digging for one reason or another (including having a 100m borehole drilled) and what we have found is that both types identified on the map are here, in layers, with one - impeded drainage - overlying the other - free draining - in some areas. So very probably you will find you're got both if you're 'on the crease'
Very interesting map
Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
RaisinGirl - great idea about the cardboard box! that would do the job and of course free of charge too (which is also good ). It seems our soil is slightly acidic anyway but i have some spare ericracious soil so I might as well use that up when planting too. Thank you for your suggestion.
Just remember to use plain cardboard not the shiny, printed on stuff (it's a plastic coating and doesn't compost) and also bear in mind it won't keep limey water out, though it sounds like that shouldn't be a problem for you.
And don't water it with tap water when you plant it. I know you know that, but it's easy to forget and just turn the hose on it in a moment of distractedness (made up word - you know what I mean )
Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
Soil type maps are fascinating but remember that you can get variations in small areas, especially if a gardener before you has spent years improving the soil. It's quite difficult to make alkaline soil acidic in the long term but relatively easy to make a slightly acidic soil sweeter. If you want to grow plants with a very specific requirement, it is worth testing.
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LG we're also right on the line where two types meet (between free draining and impeded drainage in our case). We've done quite a bit of deep digging for one reason or another (including having a 100m borehole drilled) and what we have found is that both types identified on the map are here, in layers, with one - impeded drainage - overlying the other - free draining - in some areas. So very probably you will find you're got both if you're 'on the crease'
Very interesting map
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
It's here PJ - http://www.landis.org.uk/soilscapes/ as LG says - just type in your postcode and it gives quite detailed info
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
RaisinGirl - great idea about the cardboard box! that would do the job and of course free of charge too (which is also good
). It seems our soil is slightly acidic anyway but i have some spare ericracious soil so I might as well use that up when planting too. Thank you for your suggestion.
And don't water it with tap water when you plant it. I know you know that, but it's easy to forget and just turn the hose on it in a moment of distractedness (made up word - you know what I mean
)
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
thanks for all the advice (my first time using this forum) and the reminder about using rain water. I just need to wait for Spring to arrive ....
Soil type maps are fascinating but remember that you can get variations in small areas, especially if a gardener before you has spent years improving the soil. It's quite difficult to make alkaline soil acidic in the long term but relatively easy to make a slightly acidic soil sweeter. If you want to grow plants with a very specific requirement, it is worth testing.