I struggled to get them thriving until I started planting them proud of the ground. They rot otherwise. I do the same with peonies to counteract the climate My soil is heavy clay, although improved in many areas, and I also made raised beds. They do well in those. As far as compost is concerned, I don't find it makes much difference to them as such.
Thanks for this - I am just back in from planting them out...I did plant them a little proud, gave them a compost mix of some organic and multi-pupose plus grit... so we'll see how they get on!
We've got pretty sandy soil here and they do fabulously with nothing more than being chucked in a hole. We get so many seedlings popping up each year that I dig them up to sell for charity. I've grown a few on to flower but they take a long time and rarely look as good as the parents.
It sounds as if they ought to do well here but the only time I tried them, they only lasted a couple of years. I was a newbie gardener then though, so I might have been doing something wrong. Maybe it's time for another go.
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
We've got pretty sandy soil here and they do fabulously with nothing more than being chucked in a hole. We get so many seedlings popping up each year that I dig them up to sell for charity. I've grown a few on to flower but they take a long time and rarely look as good as the parents.
Well that's good to hear! If I get any self-seeding I will sell them on too - I made £70 for my local school selling tomato plants(asking for a donation really), so I know there are folk out there who like to do this.
I struggled to get them thriving until I started planting them proud of the ground. They rot otherwise. I do the same with peonies to counteract the climate My soil is heavy clay, although improved in many areas, and I also made raised beds. They do well in those. As far as compost is concerned, I don't find it makes much difference to them as such.
How high do you plant them? I've just planted a couple with the soil in the pots level with the ground. Looks like i'll have to raise them in the morning.
Just slightly proud of the surface @Balgay.Hill if that makes sense. I found that if they were allowed anything covering them at all, they just rotted off. It's too wet here for them to manage if they're below ground at all. They're unaffected by any other weather, same as the peonies, so it works well.
I'll see if I have a pic
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Just slightly proud of the surface @Balgay.Hill if that makes sense. I found that if they were allowed anything covering them at all, they just rotted off. It's too wet here for them to manage if they're below ground at all. They're unaffected by any other weather, same as the peonies, so it works well.
I'll see if I have a pic
Thanks. I'll make a mound of soil and replant them just proud so water runs off.
Posts
I've just planted a couple with the soil in the pots level with the ground. Looks like i'll have to raise them in the morning.
I found that if they were allowed anything covering them at all, they just rotted off. It's too wet here for them to manage if they're below ground at all. They're unaffected by any other weather, same as the peonies, so it works well.
I'll see if I have a pic
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I'll make a mound of soil and replant them just proud so water runs off.
First ones are in a basket awaiting a new spot, 2nd ones are in a raised bed
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Thanks again.