We have recently had some work done on our garden, and have a new raised bed and some borders filled with topsoil that was brought in by the landscapers. I planted a few things in the raised bed (courgettes and butternut squashes), and after three weeks of them failing dismally to grow, I have had a lightbulb moment: the soil needs to be improved.
I have seen so many threads mentioning soil improvement, but up to now I've given it about as much attention as pelvic floor exercises. I spent several years gardening in containers on a balcony, and have now moved to a house previously owned by keen gardeners, so I have inherited their efforts. So this is the first time it has occurred to me that I need to do something about it myself.
Can anyone help me to get this right? Do I need a soil testing kit, or is the problem so basic that testing wouldn't be useful at this stage? The soil feels sandy and doesn't have crumbs as such. It makes a kind of dense sandy slurry when it's really wet, and is lighter in colour than the rest of the garden.
I have tracked down a source of rotted manure. Is it possible to add too much? And is there anything else I could usefully add at the same time? If I do that this week, can I expect the butternuts/courgettes to go back in and thrive immediately, or will it need time/more treatment?
I don't have immediate plans to plant stuff in the borders around the lawn, so I was thinking of just putting manure on top of those for now, and letting the worms mix it in. Is there anything else I could/should add? Bark chippings on top to keep the weeds down?
Thanks in advance for any help!
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Soil improvement, where to start?
5 replies
VermicularCanister · 24/06/2013 13:08
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