Hello there @detainer, as your garden looks fairly small, I would look into hiring a shredder, they are quite bulky to store and once you've shredded your dead woody stuff there won't be a need for one. I would just buy as much bagged manure as you can at this stage, aim for one bag per metre, wait till the ground's thoroughly wet as the others say and then just lay it on the top. Next spring would be the time to buy compost, preferably top soil or John Innes No. 3, not multi compost. In the meantime, you could buy bags of bulbs and pot these up for some early spring time cheer.
I have a long raised bed, similar to yours except that it is north facing and consequently mainly in shade … nevertheless the soil below the surfaces gets very dry … I have installed a deeper hose zigzagged along the bed and in the summer (and in the spring if we have a dry spell) I connect it up and run it for a couple of hours two or three times a week … it had made a huge difference to the health of the plants, shrubs and climbers.
I think it would really help your plants. 😊
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I'd agree with @Lizzie27 - just get some well rotted manure for now, or composted bark. A mulch is simply some organic matter to help retain moisture and keep weeds down. Gravel does the same job, but doesn't have the advantages of organic matter. A shredder is useful, but as said - it's not always worth it, unless you have a neighbour or friend you could share with?
If you were able to make your own compost, that's very good for mulching too, but you might not be able to make very much, and it'll be a while before you had that to use. Some pots of bulbs for early colour is a great idea too, and nice for some cheer after winter. Don't give yourself any more work than you need, and come back if you need any other help or ideas etc.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
When you said things were dying in a line from you neighbor's to you, my thoughts were honey fungus. This affects a lot of woody plants and the Rhizomes can travel a long way. Hopefully that's not the case, as it is very difficult to deal with.
Hello its me again. Regarding allotment Boy's comments about Honey Fungus, Ive looked it up on the net and had a bit of a dig around the stump of the Rowan tree that was first affected. I cant see any of the Rhizomes ( if that the right word for them) on or in the soil or on the stump itself. Im not entirely sure what Im looking for mind but are they noticeable or do I need to sieve the soil or something. From what I've seen they appear to be quite thick and obvious. Is that correct? If Ive got all this right, do you think I can rule it out of the equation? Must admit the very idea has got me a bit worried. MANY thanks once again fore any help.
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I would just buy as much bagged manure as you can at this stage, aim for one bag per metre, wait till the ground's thoroughly wet as the others say and then just lay it on the top. Next spring would be the time to buy compost, preferably top soil or John Innes No. 3, not multi compost.
In the meantime, you could buy bags of bulbs and pot these up for some early spring time cheer.
Good luck, enjoy your garden.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
A shredder is useful, but as said - it's not always worth it, unless you have a neighbour or friend you could share with?
If you were able to make your own compost, that's very good for mulching too, but you might not be able to make very much, and it'll be a while before you had that to use. Some pots of bulbs for early colour is a great idea too, and nice for some cheer after winter.
Don't give yourself any more work than you need, and come back if you need any other help or ideas etc.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Regarding allotment Boy's comments about Honey Fungus, Ive looked it up on the net and had a bit of a dig around the stump of the Rowan tree that was first affected.
I cant see any of the Rhizomes ( if that the right word for them) on or in the soil or on the stump itself.
Im not entirely sure what Im looking for mind but are they noticeable or do I need to sieve the soil or something.
From what I've seen they appear to be quite thick and obvious. Is that correct?
If Ive got all this right, do you think I can rule it out of the equation?
Must admit the very idea has got me a bit worried.
MANY thanks once again fore any help.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.