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Improving soil structure without overfeeding

gardenman91gardenman91 Posts: 429
in Problem solving
Good morning all :smile:  Im trying to gradually improve the soil structure in the front garden without over feeding it. It’s has a Choisya and Escallonia which I know don’t need feeding (I think?) just wondering how they would react with a slight thin dressing of rotted manure? Many thanks and sorry for my continuous questions that I seem to post daily! 

Posts

  • PurpleRosePurpleRose Posts: 538
    Hi

    I don't know what type of soil that you have. We have heavy clay soil. I normally mulch with my home made compost, making sure it does not touch the plants. I just leave it then as the worms deal with it and also when digging it works it's way in.

    I am also having a go at leaf mould and collected my first lot of leaves last autumn. I have been told that once rotted, this is very good for soil. We will see once it is ready.
  • delskidelski Posts: 274
    Leaf mould would improve soil structure, as would used compost from any pot plants/bulbs, neither of which making the soil too rich. Is there a reason you want to avoid "overfeeding"?
  • PurpleRosePurpleRose Posts: 538
    Forgot to add. The manure. Is it straight from the farm yard or have you bought it from a shop? If it's from a farm yard, dont add it as it could burn your plants. It needs to be fully rotted before you add it 😁
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Feeding the soil isn't quite the same as feeding 'mechanically'. 
    Any organic matter feeds the soil - rotted manure, compost [home made or commercial] and leaf mould. It all improves the general structure, and the water retention or drainage, and is therefore beneficial to almost every plant in a garden - particularly shrubs, as they require nothing much if the soil is in a good state.  :)

    The exceptions would be those which like poor soil - many herbs or wildflowers etc. Those will tend to grow lush and green, at the expense of flowers. Adding loads of organic matter to areas with those isn't harmful as such, but is a waste of resources. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • gardenman91gardenman91 Posts: 429
    Sorry I forgot to mention my apologies! My soil is chalky as we’re near the South Downs but I believe it’s got elements of clay in it. The main plants I’d be concerned about is a newly planted escallonia and choisya. I’ll be planting a few aquilegias which won’t mind some more nutrients :) Many thanks fellow gardeners!!!
  • Cambridgerose12Cambridgerose12 Posts: 1,134
    I find mulches a bit of a headache, as if applied at the wrong time they can swamp your plants with a soggy blanket (rot being a major problem in my garden) but then when the right time comes along I always have so much stuff out that it's hard to get any mulch between plants. 
  • RubytooRubytoo Posts: 1,630
    I think everyone has covered it all already.

    Its well rotted and anything you can put on to help is good.
    I find sometimes also it makes a soggy blanket, (we have similar soil conditions) So if you notice it pans a bit if it rains, I give ours a bit of a gentle tickle in those areas if possible in winter, but mostly leave it and lets the wormies pull it down over winter.
    As a thin layer it should be fine.
    But if you have more to spread in between plants, away from stems go for it.

    Sorry if I have repeated any parts of the already good answers. Hopefully the frost will help to break it up too. It does if it has got wet then a hard frost, take a look you will see how it sort of fluffs it up again in places.
  • gardenman91gardenman91 Posts: 429
    Well thank you all for your answers and advice :smile: I think what I’ll do is that I’ll give a gentle sprinkling over the ground in March when it’s warming up but give a better mulch around stuff that’ll appreciate the help when newly planted or if it prefers moister conditions. Many thanks once again :smile:
  • rachelQrtJHBjbrachelQrtJHBjb Posts: 819
    I use this https://www.melcourt.co.uk/product/melcourt-composted-fine-bark/  

    It improves the soil structure but doesn't feed it, so you can add a thick layer (several inches) that will suppress weeds. I use this medium autumn and spring on both established and new plantings. I mulch the whole border, including close to the plants. 

    The Melcourt website will direct you to local stockists/suppliers.
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