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Garden envy

MeomyeMeomye Posts: 949
in Problem solving
Seeing the abundant specimens on display in the garden gallery thread it makes me very envious. I feel i do not have much going on in my garden and when it happens it does not last for long. My soil is very dry and chalky and i am wondering if i need to add something to it to help my plants flourish. I do add cm pellets in the spring and use well rotted manure from GC around roses from time to time. What would be a good thing to add to keep my plants happy and healthy? Should i loosen the soil around the plants? as i believe they get quite compacted. t i a
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  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    The easiest thing to do to improve quality long term is to add organic matter as mulch once in the autumn and once in the spring if budget allows. It will make it all look more put together and it will suppress weeds, feed the soil and retain moisture. Too many people over fertilise to make up for the poverty of the soil, but it makes so much more sense to invest in the health and permeability of the soil. It takes a while but it does improve. 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • MeomyeMeomye Posts: 949
    @amancalledgeorge, thank you for your swift reply. As i do not have a compost heap, which organic matter do you recommend please?  
  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    You can use compost (they tend to do cheap offers early in the year) or the manure you've been using for your roses. The worms will love it and will improve the condition long term. Don't be disheartened we all have problem areas and issues we deal with year in and year out. And frankly all photographs posted will have chosen the nicest angle, avoiding any manky plants. I don't have space for a compost heap but tend to hoard compost in Jan-Feb when our garden centre do a deal of four bags for £10. 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • MeomyeMeomye Posts: 949
    @amancalledgeorge, so this is where i often get confused, in the Autumn do i just scatter it all over the beds/borders? or around the plant bases. I worry that i am burying something or possibly scorching something?
  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    A nice deep layer everywhere, which will take quite a bit of compost/manure depending the size of the garden. But it's an investment that pays back. Top dressing around plants helps but it won't help improve the health of the soil at large as it only topically feeds the plant. 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • DevonianDevonian Posts: 176
    Just make sure you lay it down when the soil is properly moist (IE after sustained rainfall) otherwise you'll lock in dryness. That's why it's recommended to be done in autumn/early spring.

    Thickness of mulch is recommended anywhere from 2 inches up to a foot, so whatever you can afford will always help!
  • MeomyeMeomye Posts: 949
    Thank you @Devonian and @amancalledgeorge i will look out for offers as you suggest.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Wait till the soil is good and wet from autumn rains and most of your plants have died down - assuming you have herbaceous perennials.   Then spread organic matter in a thick layer - a couple of inches if you can - over every bed.   The worms and other soil organisms will work it in over winter and the new growth will just come through it next spring.  This will improve soil texture, fertility and moisture retention on any soil.

    Organic material can be brought in compost.  GCs and DIY stores often sell it off cheap in autumn to clear space for Xmas displays.  Doesn't have to be fancy.  Cheap multi purpose will do.   You can also buy well-rotted manure in bags or got to a local stables and get some.  They often give it away.   Some local councils have a compost distribution scheme from their green waste collections.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    Alternatively you can work WITH the soil conditions you have. On a poor chalky soil, you can create the sort of planting that will make gardeners on clay soil green with envy, because those sort of plants either will not grow there, or flop uncontrollably.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    I agree with Loxley, go with what you've got. You can improve soil but you can't change its basic nature


    In the sticks near Peterborough
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