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Border advice please.

tony gtony g Posts: 13
in Garden design
We recently moved into our home, it’s about 10 yrs old and the previous occupants weren’t big gardeners. We are just starting out but have discovered there is only about 5 inch of poor soil before solid ground/rubble.  We have plans for a cottage garden but do not want to build raised beds for the borders (cost reasons) hence what do we do to removed all of the weeds etc and will plants grow in such poor soils. We are wondering if we should simply cover the ground in fabric this year and start afresh next spring. Any thoughts? Grateful for all advices. 

Posts

  • edhelkaedhelka Posts: 2,351
    I would dig it out, then dig out at least 10 centimetres of rubble and add some compost to replace the rubble. The question is: is it rubble (loose material, chunks, stones etc.) or a solid material (concrete)? Concrete would be a problem but rubble is relatively easy.
    I would also make it wider (100-150 cm works best for a cottage style border).
    Why do you think it's poor soil? It looks dark and dark is usually good. Anyway, some organic matter (compost, rotted manure) will fix this. Plants will grow. If you want some plants this year, now is a good time to do it.
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    Oh dear I see bamboo spreading in from next door... perhaps a raised bed (with root barrier fabric to the bottom) would actually be worth the expense. 

    In the meantime there's plenty that will grow on shallow soil; check out the montbretia growing happily up at the end 
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • tony gtony g Posts: 13
    Thanks for advice all. We have gone all out for raised beds which will include two deeper beds for veg etc. The lawn will be no more! 
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