This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.
problem solving
My north facing strip of garden has bark mulch and pebbles and the soil is clay, but I find although of course these materials help keep weeds and grass down, the soil feels quite wet always. I might add there was also weed suppresant material which I pulled up. Should l lay off watering every 2 days and do it every 4 during this time of year? My hydrangea, Phantom PG and fuschia sprang to life weeks ago then seem a bit slow to grow up and out. Also is it okay to feed all purpose liquid feed once a week in this type of soil? I read so much about the importance of keeping moisture in I feel I have the opposite problem.
0
Posts
Are you also over-feeding?
Because it took a while for me to notice under all that mix- to the extent I clawed some away from around plant to expose soil a tiny bit. Advice seemed to be to water well when newly planted! I'll water when my finger tip touches dry on digging in I think.
You appear to be over watering which can hurt plants as much as under watering. As a test dig a square hole, spades depth, leave to see if it fills with water. My garden has south west aspect one side East t'other side, I need water the south side on a regular basis, push your finger into the soil if it comes out dry then water. The east side never gets watered, there is no need it holds the natural water from rain and the regular sea mists. I do not mulch with anything but compost, this is a soil improver with some goodness to nourish the plants, a long handle hoe sorts out the weeds and gives me a little exercise at the same time, bark by the way will kill the nitrogen in the soil and plants need nitrogen. Try leaving the watering and see what happens. Hope this helps.
Frank
You do not need to feed anything like once a week. I tend to feed my borders twice a season, which is more than adequate.
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
Ah yes, okay. I agree about the over-watering. I think that's what has done for my pink hydrangea, which is east facing.The shop said there is still time for it to recover. It's true that sometimes the effects of over watering can look similar to under.
Maybe I'll talk to them instead of compulsively watering- they might like that better! The neighbours won't understand though.
The frustrating thing is- and I'm not great at ferreting info. online, there seems to be such a variety of ideas. I'm thinking of the school of thought that insists on broken crocks in bottom of pot to stop clogging, then others come along and say- really not necessary.
Still I have to change what 'I ' do I think.
Appreciate all your comments very much.
We've all made mistakes Breathe so don't worry. Keep asking questions on here - someone will help. There's often conflicting advice about certain aspects of gardening (as with many things!) but it's often because we garden in different areas and in different conditions which will greatly affect the outcome.
If you're able to post photos that can help with advice as well.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Just remember, we all have to learn, and if we kill something, (and we all do!) then we can go out and buy something to replace it
. Nothing succeeds like experience. Read and watch gardening programmes.
I find that with many sources of advice, it helps to ask why one source says do this while the other says do that - I look for differences in soil, weather, temperature, condition of plant ...... all sorts of things, and then try to make a judgement as to which will best suit the circumstances of my plants in my garden.
And of course, come on here and ask away - it's good to 'talk'
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
North facing and wet clay also means that plants will be slower to get going than in a warmer, sunnier place . Give them time - they won't need any extra feed until they are growing vigorously.