creating a soil bed for bushes

Jujju · June 2016

The side of my house ( on the road) has been paved with block paving. I have removed some of the block paving a dug a trench 600 cm long, 80 cm wide and 50 cm deep.

I took out soil and rocks and am down to soil at the bottom. I plan on filling it up with new top soil,

I am planing on planting bushes of several types and I was wondering how to prepare the soil. Will topsoil be enough? Should I add bone meal?

Ladybird4 · June 2016

Hi Jujju. What a project. Firstly - if you can - find out if the top soil you are getting is acid or alkaline as this will have an effect on what you grow. Some plants prefer acid and others prefer alkaline. Once you have done that you are set to go. Don't add bonemeal yet as acid loving plants will not like that. You can get a simple pH testing kit from your garden centre.

Jujju · June 2016

Thanks for the advice Ladybird4

Jujju · June 2016

The soil is arriving. It will be a netral PH value.

ShouldI just throw it in the bed or do other stuff like add earth worms., fertilser?

Dovefromabove · June 2016

I would add some well rotted farmyard manure and mix it in well. The earthworms will find their own way there.

Make sure you fork over the soil at the bottom of the "trench" to make sure it doesn't form a hard "pan" which would cause drainage problems.

Jujju · June 2016

good advice. thanks very mulch ( my first gardening joke)

Last edited: 18 June 2016 20:22:02

Dovefromabove · June 2016

Fairygirl · June 2016

Good joke Jujju

I agree with Dove - some manure will benefit, and loosening up the bottom or it can be like putting soil over concrete. Some grit will also help if you have high rainfall. It will allow you to plant things which prefer sharper drainage.

Ladybird - I've never heard of avoiding B, F&B for acid lovers - is there a specific reason for that? I've always add some B,F&B when I put plants in, regardless of type.

creating a soil bed for bushes

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