There are clay spots where the previous lady I bought the flat from had not planted anything in.
She has dug up many parts of her garden, improved the soil, and planted those patches over the years. And there are wild things like nettles and buttercups -- which the bees LOVE in the spring, by the way -- growing in the spots she had planted and lately neglected.
I got word from the neighbour upstairs that she may have died from Coronavirus in her late 80s. Her 2 sons I bought the flat from told me she had moved into assisted care. I hope that is true for they could have said that so that it does not affect the sale of the apartment.
That's the big advantage of well rotted manure @CharlotteF. It benefits all types of soil. Helps thin, sandy soil hold more moisture, and opens up heavy, sticky clay so that it drains.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Ah, that explains it @Jac19. So, it seems as if you are using the surrounding clay area as the outer walls of a pot and infilling with potting compost of whatever composition and then planting. I get it now.
That's the big advantage of well rotted manure @CharlotteF. It benefits all types of soil. Helps thin, sandy soil hold more moisture, and opens up heavy, sticky clay so that it drains.
When I hit a clay area, I dig up like a whole square yard at a time and improve the soil in the whole patch. I only take on a square yard at a time only because it is not easy work. Back ache, back ache, even though I don't have a bad back.
I know what you are saying: "She's saying add soil to more soil. It is a waste." I agree, it is not conventional wisdom. I have learned that from you here, I admit.
But in my experience, my lavenders and roses were only happy in JI. I am just replacing some of the clay with it or h. sand/grit and adding lots of MPC and manure, too.
I will take what I have learned here and go easy on the JI for everything else.
I think no one is ever an expert @Jac19, we all can always learn more, especially with gardening. Different conditions mean different people have different experiences, that's the great thing about this forum, we all pool our knowledge and learn from each other. 😀
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She has dug up many parts of her garden, improved the soil, and planted those patches over the years. And there are wild things like nettles and buttercups -- which the bees LOVE in the spring, by the way -- growing in the spots she had planted and lately neglected.
I got word from the neighbour upstairs that she may have died from Coronavirus in her late 80s. Her 2 sons I bought the flat from told me she had moved into assisted care. I hope that is true for they could have said that so that it does not affect the sale of the apartment.
It benefits all types of soil. Helps thin, sandy soil hold more moisture, and opens up heavy, sticky clay so that it drains.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I agree, it is not conventional wisdom. I have learned that from you here, I admit.
But in my experience, my lavenders and roses were only happy in JI. I am just replacing some of the clay with it or h. sand/grit and adding lots of MPC and manure, too.
I will take what I have learned here and go easy on the JI for everything else.