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Too much drainage?

WildlifeloverWildlifelover Posts: 380
in Problem solving
Evening, 

I recently cleared a bed that had about 2-3cm of pea gravel on the top. For ease, I’ve just dug this into the soil. Will this make the bed too well drained or is this amount of gravel insignificant?

The bed will be used for annuals with pollinators in mind.

 Thanks.
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  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It's not possible to say because it will depend on the type of soil you have, and how wet the climate is where you are.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • WildlifeloverWildlifelover Posts: 380
    In yorkshire. I think our soil is pretty decent, doesn't get waterlogged and all the perennials (Salvia, Phlox, Achillea, Cirsium, Aster, Hylotelephium, Nepeta, Caryopteris....) do well in it without too much attention. 
  • Chris-P-BaconChris-P-Bacon Posts: 943
    Wildlifelover said:
    Evening, 

    I recently cleared a bed that had about 2-3cm of pea gravel on the top. For ease, I’ve just dug this into the soil. Will this make the bed too well drained or is this amount of gravel insignificant?

    The bed will be used for annuals with pollinators in mind.

     Thanks.
    For annuals..No it wont affect drainage- (well, not so as you'd notice)...and yes, its insignificant.
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    IMHO it's not going to cause you any problems
    Devon.
  • WildlifeloverWildlifelover Posts: 380
    Great, thanks. I’ll be sowing seeds in this bed, when the packet says ‘sow March - xxxx’, is March a bit too early?
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I'd say it's far too early if you mean you're sowing direct.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • WildlifeloverWildlifelover Posts: 380
    Yes, sowing direct. This bed is quite large so I was planning on sowing Phacelia, Centaurea, Borage, anything good for pollinators.
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    Wildlifelover said:
    Yes, sowing direct. This bed is quite large so I was planning on sowing Phacelia, Centaurea, Borage, anything good for pollinators.
    I think you'd be safer leaving sowing until it warms up a bit. 
    Later sowings will catch up in no time. Early sowings are prone to being damaged by the cold
    Devon.
  • WildlifeloverWildlifelover Posts: 380
    Ok, many thanks. So April, possibly May?
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    Wildlifelover said:
    Ok, many thanks. So April, possibly May?
    depends so much on the weather locally. 
    Devon.
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