I agree - if you only planted them about a month ago pH or other soil-related issues would not show for a few months. If they've not dried out, then maybe a fox has been watering them. A close sniff may provide a hint.
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
The damage seems to be restricted to one area. That's relevant to Pete's animal diagnostic. Bad initial plants, bad planting ... The good news is that the survivers, if they like the spot, will soon spread.
location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand. "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
I agree with @Loxley too- they do need reasonably humus rich soil. Boggy, manky clay is no good. The best one I have is in a better site where the clay is more improved than the other areas. Leaf mould is useful. If they were only planted in January, and not watered well enough [if you're in an area like @Pete.8] that won't have helped. His suggestion of animal urine is also a good one, and won't have helped. If you want something which is more adaptable to your site, Ajuga might be better. Or Pachysandra, although it does like some shade as well. Vinca is another ground cover plant which spreads and is generally easy. It can take over a bit, but it's easy enough to cut back. Adding some coffee grounds won't really do anything either. You can't change the pH of soil in a bed that easily.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
well i am happy to water it but i am not sniffing for fox urine. Is it bad if i water it with a mix of water and coffee grounds as ive got a lot of coffee grounds
@hi2u_uk Long term I think you would be better off planting something that suits your soil and aspect. If you don't have an acidic soil and try to grow acid loving plants you wiil always be putting up a fight. Could you pot up the good ones in an ericaeous compost? I get foxes in my garden the smell of their urine is very strong I think you would know just by walking around the garden.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
Thanks i think i will just leave it there . I wanted to have something in the ground not in pots in the garden. Can i put it in a small pot with ericacious compost and then put that pot in a hole in the ground in the ground ???
Your garden so your choice. I wouldn't do it though. Better to have something which actually suits the site.
Your coffee grounds will do no harm, but they won't really have any benefit. Some people find them useful at slug prevention but I'm not sure that would be effective in any way. Certainly wouldn't be any use around Gaultherias as slugs don't bother them anyway.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Posts
If they've not dried out, then maybe a fox has been watering them.
A close sniff may provide a hint.
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
The damage seems to be restricted to one area. That's relevant to Pete's animal diagnostic. Bad initial plants, bad planting ... The good news is that the survivers, if they like the spot, will soon spread.
"Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
If you want something which is more adaptable to your site, Ajuga might be better. Or Pachysandra, although it does like some shade as well. Vinca is another ground cover plant which spreads and is generally easy. It can take over a bit, but it's easy enough to cut back.
Adding some coffee grounds won't really do anything either. You can't change the pH of soil in a bed that easily.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I get foxes in my garden the smell of their urine is very strong I think you would know just by walking around the garden.
Better to have something which actually suits the site.
Your coffee grounds will do no harm, but they won't really have any benefit. Some people find them useful at slug prevention but I'm not sure that would be effective in any way. Certainly wouldn't be any use around Gaultherias as slugs don't bother them anyway.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
"Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."