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Feeding a new border before planting

Orchid LadyOrchid Lady Posts: 5,800
in Problem solving
My new borders are being done on Friday and will be filled with top soil from a local nursery/GC. Does anyone have any tips on whether I should put anything on it before planting it, ie fertiliser or food etc? I haven't tested it yet so don't know if it's acid/alkaline and I will be planting a mixture of annuals, perennials, bushes, roses etc.....a totally mixed border!! Thanks. T

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  • Orchid LadyOrchid Lady Posts: 5,800
    Thanks Verdun, I will see if I can get some compost as mine doesn't seem that good, not sure what I've done!! I will also get the organic fertiliser from the GC.



    Thanks for your advice.
  • Orchid LadyOrchid Lady Posts: 5,800
    Thanks image Organic it is. Fell asleep last night wondering whether I should get another compost bin..........image
  • Lancashire LassLancashire Lass Posts: 367

    If you haven't got a soil testing kit, just take a quick look around the gardens in your immediate area to see what is growing there.

    If you spot hydrangeas, rhododendrons, and pieris your soil will be acid. The rhododendrons and pieris are evergreens in the main so you will be able to spot them even in Winter. If you are not sure what they look like, Google them and click on images. x

     

  • Orchid LadyOrchid Lady Posts: 5,800
    I do know what they look like Lancashire lass (they are some of my favourite plants). I have a hydrangea in a pot but it isn't doing very well. No rhododendrons and my pieris hasn't grown in a year so I suspect it is more alkaline.



    Thanks lancs lass (another one image )
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