Stones in soil

[dataandspot]

Should I remove them or is it better to leave them?

Anyone?

What are you planting and are the large or small stones?

Well it depends how much stone and what you want to grow?
Root veg don't like stones but most other stuff is fine.
My garden is on a former farmyard where a stone track went and also above a seam of ironstone. So if I dig down below the gravelly layer about 10 cm deep there is solid rock. It can be dug out and used to build walls. Gardening is more akin to mining here

I am planting cottage garden type plants.

The stones are a mixture of sizes-some as big as my palm.

Take out all of the big ones and pile them in a corner to encourage beneficial insects. If you are planting cottage garden plants, some stones will be ok left in the garden. If starting from seeds then you need a finer soil so I would use a seive. Don't throw them away though because once your plants are established you can use the smaller ones for mulch. Check out Hyde Hall for ideas on gravel gardens.

Astrantia

What do you mean by mulch?

A mulch is something that is laid on top of the soil between the plants. It can be made of natural materials like composted bark, or gravel.

It is not essential but a mulch serves several purposes. It keeps away the most weeds and it makes it easier to see those that do appear. It keeps In moisture and it looks attractive.

Small stones in the soil help with drainage, especially if you garden on clay. Not sure if these photos show. I have just had a new garden and all of my old soil was taken away and new soil was put in. So I had to buy this horticultural grit. I think natural stones look better.

Thankyou Astrantia.