Forum home› Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

First time gardener

oliver.greatbatcholiver.greatbatch Posts: 36
in Problem solving
Hi all. 

I'm completely new to this so don't believe anything is too basic to mention.

I'm about to prepare some borders but the soil is of poor quality (bricks, HUGE stones etc.)

How far down should I did before, presumably, adding new topsoil? I'm only looking to plant perennials/small shrubs, nothing too large.

Thanks so much in advance :-) 
«1

Posts

  • oliver.greatbatcholiver.greatbatch Posts: 36
    Dig**
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    My advice would be to dig down 2 spade's depth if you can, one as an absolute minimum.  Loosen the bottom with a fork to prevent compaction and improve drainage (if it's a clay soil and/or really solid you might need to use a mattock). Remove as many bricks and the bigger stones as you possibly can. 
    Preparation is the key.
     :) 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Hi @oliver.greatbatch - if you can remove all the obviously bad stuff in the top 6 inches to a foot, then add a few inches of topsoil, that would probably be fine. However, it would be more beneficial to add well rotted manure and some good compost to beef up the soil, rather than just topsoil. It's also worth giving the whole area a good going over with a fork to loosen it up a bit if it's not in great condition.
    If you don't need to plant anything soon, adding a really thick layer of rotted manure etc and leaving it over winter is a better solution. It's much easier to then give it a going over in spring.  :)

    Any small stones can be left in - if they're bigger than a couple of cms/an inch, that's not great though. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • oliver.greatbatcholiver.greatbatch Posts: 36
    Thank you both so much. Greatly appreciated :-) 
  • oliver.greatbatcholiver.greatbatch Posts: 36
    @Fairygirl is there a particular compost or manure that you recommend? 

    I have no plans for planting before spring so do I just loosen with a fork now and leave a mixture of new topsoil, the compost and manure on the soil until then? Thank you
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    I expect @Fairygirl will reply in due course, but you can buy bags of well rotted horse manure at garden centres (l used to buy it before l had the compost bins up and running). That in itself may be enough, but you could add bags of compost if you want to. I would see how the soil looks after you've dug it over and got rid of the rubbish. 
    The theory is that you leave it on the surface over Winter, and the worms and rain will take it down into the soil. 
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    Lovely, clears out the sinuses @Songbird-1 😁
  • oliver.greatbatcholiver.greatbatch Posts: 36
    Haha!!! I did wonder about the smell. How long does it linger for? 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    If it's well rotted, there's very little smell.  :)
    Apologies - I wasn't on here last night, but @AnniD has kindly answered your question ;)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    No worries @Fairygirl :)
    Oliver, it should disappear within a couple of days depending on the weather conditions.  If there's a bit of a breeze it shouldn't even take that long. The commercial stuff doesn't smell very strong at all (imo), if you get it from a stables just make sure it's well rotted. That's the stuff with very little smell.
Sign In or Register to comment.