@pansyface Yep, Pixy rootstock. Just haven't been able to find out what species of tree it's from although it could be that I just don't know the right places to look 🤷♀️
I can't recall where I got mine @februarysgirl, but they aren't difficult to come across. It might have been Greenfingers, which is a supplier up here - they sell all sorts of stuff for the garden
I planted 3 fruit trees (Victoria and Czar plum plus a green gage) in some raised beds in 2019 and they've gone great guns ever since. The soil level in the beds has dropped and I need to top it up. When I did it last year, I put some bricks either side of the trunk like a retaining wall so I could put top up the soil without it touching it. My only concern is that the soil level has continued to drop. Can I top it up around the trunk or is it going to cause problems? The only other alternative I can think of is to wrap a mulch mat around the base of the trunk so the soil isn't in direct contact with the tree.
I wouldn't top the soil level up. Reduce the height of the raised beds to match the soil level! It will stop settling eventually.
"What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour".
Yes - a bit of underplanting, or a small ring of 'something' round the trunks to keep any top up material at bay, as you suggested earlier. Spring bulbs, cyclamen for autumn, or some small evergreen saxifrages or similar. Loads of small plants would work there. Or both That would work very well, and you'd still have your lovely garden intact
To be honest - the level doesn't look too low though.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
@Loxley Thanks 🙂 It was a lot of hard work (and swearing) but worth it. The only issue with planting under the trees is that the rootball is in the raised beds which would make digging a hole difficult. I put irrigation rings in when I planted them to encourage the roots to grown downwards so I guess it's possible that it's no longer as wide as it used to be. I guess I could try throwing some seeds down, I have a wildflower mix but I think the problem with that is that the chicken pellets would make the soil too rich.
@Fairygirl I think it'll definitely have to be something around it. As nice as bulbs would be, planting them would mean digging into the rootball. The photo is from July, it's settled a good couple of inches since then. I have no idea where the soil goes!
If you're adding compost, that breaks down to almost nothing. It's always better to use soil, leaf mould or rotted manure rather than compost with raised beds. It 'stays in place' better. I have the same problem, but I try to add manure every now and again to mitigate it. I need to keep most of my raised beds as light and well draining as possible too [because of the weather] and compost helps with that. It can still be a bit of a problem though, and raised beds always tend to settle over time - especially over winter, and need replenishing.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
@Fairygirl I realised my mistake with adding compost the first time the soil level sunk so when I topped up last year, I only used topsoil hoping it would prevent it from happening but alas not! I'll be adding manure to the roses but the fruit trees will be getting a dose of chicken manure pellets. I use Wickes topsoil although it definitely looks as though it has some sort of organic matter in it, or at least the last batch did. The first batch had what looked like tiny pieces of terracotta added which I assume was to help with drainage. Can't complain though, everything has grown really well over the last few years 🙂
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It might have been Greenfingers, which is a supplier up here - they sell all sorts of stuff for the garden
I just looked at B&Q if you have one near you
https://www.diy.com/departments/sack-truck-250kg-capacity/240078_BQ.prd
Bargain! It's exactly like mine
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
@Fairygirl Tempting but I think I'll stick with the cart. It'll also make life easier when pruning the trees!
It's essentially wooden Lego that'll only come apart with a crowbar 😂
Or both
That would work very well, and you'd still have your lovely garden intact
To be honest - the level doesn't look too low though.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
@Fairygirl I think it'll definitely have to be something around it. As nice as bulbs would be, planting them would mean digging into the rootball. The photo is from July, it's settled a good couple of inches since then. I have no idea where the soil goes!
I have the same problem, but I try to add manure every now and again to mitigate it. I need to keep most of my raised beds as light and well draining as possible too [because of the weather] and compost helps with that.
It can still be a bit of a problem though, and raised beds always tend to settle over time - especially over winter, and need replenishing.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...