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enriching dreadful soil

I have an area at the back of my garden which originally, and for about 40 years I should think, had four enormous leylandii growing in it.  I took these out, and created a pretty space and put some bamboo in for screening.  The bamboo has served its purpose and I have now taken it out with a view to creating a proper bed for shrubs, climbers and perennials.  But the soil, as expected, is absolutely shocking.  It is dry and dusty, not a worm in sight, water simply rolls off it.  I bought a m3 of soil conditioner from ProGrow and am going to start with a good heavy mulch to start improving it, (am not putting on the whole lot as some is for other parts of the garden, but I plan on putting in a really heavy amount at intervals over a couple of months).  But do I need to kickstart it with some beneficial bacteria somehow, or will the soil conditioner do that?  i am wondering if it is just inert bulk or it it will start to introduce a bit of what's necessary.  Any ideas?  The website is no help. 

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Well rotted manure and compost, plus some leaf mould if you have it.
    Any organic matter is the best way of improving rubbish soil. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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