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Do I have a soil problem?

ROSE15ROSE15 Posts: 9
in Problem solving
I have just taken out a Summer Jasmine from a small bed near my shed as it had started to take over my shed roof. Its support was rotten and collapsing. I had intended to just hard prune it back but it was so tightly entwined with its support I ended up digging it out altogether. I've now dug over the bed and find about 3 inch below the surface the soil is like white powder, the other plants I've took out have this white power all over there roots, Have I got a problem with the soil? Another thing that's strange is a Clematis growing in the bed next to the Jasmine (about 3 feet apart) flowers well but has always had powdery mildew each summer, which it had this year but since taking the Jasmine out the Clematis has now got clean flowers, no sign of the mildew. Any advise welcome. Thanks

Posts

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    edited July 2020
    It will be a fungal mycelium which grows naturally in the soil and helps to feed plants.  However, a layer of it can have water-repellent effects, so I would dig the area over to break up the layer and add organic matter such as well-rotted manure or garden compost.
    Powdery mildew is unrelated to the fungus in the soil but is often present on plants when the soil is dry around the roots, so adding organic matter when you dig it over will help with that, as it will retain moisture.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    To add to what Bob says, the Jasmine and the Clematis were probably in competition for water and Clematis need a lot of water - so removing the Jasmine means the Clematis has it all to itself and has perked up as a result.
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • ROSE15ROSE15 Posts: 9
    Thanks BobtheGardener and Nollie for your replies, you've answered my query perfectly. Was quite worried I'd have to dig the whole bed out. I'll be adding some well rotted manure to the bed as I have an unending supply having 2 horses. I've built a new climbing frame so will be planting a climbing Rose in there. 
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