Ok, I guess you learn loads when we get going. I lifted the lilac earlier and it was mucky and soaked at the base. The soil in that corner is very poor, rocky and heavy and soaked. I put in gravel, then loads of compost and soil mix and replanted. We'll see if it helps.
After doves comment on shoots appearing from under the soil rather than on the stems I had a good look at the raspberries. They are dead...I mean the best tinder money can buy. It's weird as the black currant and gooseberries are going great right beside them. So maybe they were bad when I purchased them last autumn?
Artjak I don't think it's a soak away . although it is very wet. I took a picture of the horrible soil taken from underneath the lilac. I just think rain ends up there eventually as the garden is sloped downward. I'm beside the mourne mts so our ground is damp anyway and being Ireland we get everyone's share of rain, usually.
Overall I'm quite confused now. Will I buy another raspberry and plant?
In my minds eye I think a raised bed around the base of the garden to avoid all this damp soil, but that sounds like a big job. And I have some lovely trees growing away as is., how would you put the soil in around them. I'm not afraid of a bit of work, more of making a mess of it.
That looks more like dumped subsoil with builders waste mixed in. That will be job and a half to rectify.
I'd incorporate not just garden compost, but horse manure and if I'm right it won't matter if its fresh or aged and leave it for a year to recover and let the worms and micro organisms get to work. It will take that long to get anywhere. Let the light and air get to it, nature will do the rest.
Thanks Dave. Yes I know I'm in trouble with it. but it's a rock hard place situation. Ive planted a fair few small trees/shrubs down there, most took well. I really think two tonne of new top soil in a raised bed would be best but I'd have to move the shrubs and I can only assume you can't plant apple trees in a raised border, due to lack if stability.
However, I do see the soil is terrible. Long meadow it is not, that's for sure. Quite depressing actually. Thanks for frank advice though. I will weigh up my options.
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There may be a soakaway in that area?
Ok, I guess you learn loads when we get going. I lifted the lilac earlier and it was mucky and soaked at the base. The soil in that corner is very poor, rocky and heavy and soaked. I put in gravel, then loads of compost and soil mix and replanted. We'll see if it helps.
After doves comment on shoots appearing from under the soil rather than on the stems I had a good look at the raspberries. They are dead...I mean the best tinder money can buy. It's weird as the black currant and gooseberries are going great right beside them. So maybe they were bad when I purchased them last autumn?
Artjak I don't think it's a soak away . although it is very wet. I took a picture of the horrible soil taken from underneath the lilac. I just think rain ends up there eventually as the garden is sloped downward. I'm beside the mourne mts so our ground is damp anyway and being Ireland we get everyone's share of rain, usually.
Overall I'm quite confused now. Will I buy another raspberry and plant?
In my minds eye I think a raised bed around the base of the garden to avoid all this damp soil, but that sounds like a big job. And I have some lovely trees growing away as is., how would you put the soil in around them. I'm not afraid of a bit of work, more of making a mess of it.
I think the fact I smothered them in gravel didn't help. But thanks Verdun, I have a soil test kit and I'll test it tomorrow.
I will spend the next few days lifting the gravel. Then I'll start freshening up the soil with compost.
That looks more like dumped subsoil with builders waste mixed in. That will be job and a half to rectify.
I'd incorporate not just garden compost, but horse manure and if I'm right it won't matter if its fresh or aged and leave it for a year to recover and let the worms and micro organisms get to work. It will take that long to get anywhere. Let the light and air get to it, nature will do the rest.
Thanks Dave. Yes I know I'm in trouble with it. but it's a rock hard place situation. Ive planted a fair few small trees/shrubs down there, most took well. I really think two tonne of new top soil in a raised bed would be best but I'd have to move the shrubs and I can only assume you can't plant apple trees in a raised border, due to lack if stability.
However, I do see the soil is terrible. Long meadow it is not, that's for sure. Quite depressing actually. Thanks for frank advice though. I will weigh up my options.
Will do ed. Mines a kit from work.