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Are there any alternatives to low fertility soil?

gilla.walmsleygilla.walmsley Posts: 339
in Problem solving
One area of my garden (and also a small plot in a local community garden that I volunteer in) is planned for annuals that need poor soil. We are heavy clay here in Essex and in the past for my own garden I purchased a bag of low fertility soil for wildflowers which worked really well. The problem is I know from experience that it is only available in massive bulk bags that arrive on a pallet and it will sit on my driveway forever and a day! But there is no way I can sow the seeds I want to in the soil as it currently is. I wondered if anyone knew of any alternatives to the "official" low fertility soil? For example I was wondering if something like seed compost would work, as I think it is low in nutrients?? But I'm clearly just winging it with my thoughts and wondered if anyone better educated than me had any suggestions! Thanks!

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  • steephillsteephill Posts: 2,841
    The simple solution is don't try to grow plants which need soil you don't have! However we all love a challenge. How big an area do you need to treat? The cheapest option might be adding sand.
  • gilla.walmsleygilla.walmsley Posts: 339
    I know - right plant, right place etc! But some of the things I've managed to grow in low fertility soil in my own garden are just so lovely. Sand is a great idea - am I right in thinking that it's sharp sand I need to use?
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