Improving soil structure and nutrients

[PlanetSaturn]

I have spent the last few weeks lifting crazy paving and cement, and shovelling a 30cm layer of topsoil over where the paving was. Next spring I’ll start planting, but between now and then, what can I do to improve soil nutrition and structure? Is cardboard with compost or manure on top the best thing? And if so, should this be done after a decent amount of rain?

Mulch in the Autumn before it gets too cold and the Spring once soil has warmed a little - if the soil is moist already this will help retain moisture, but rain will work its way down either way so personally I wouldn't worry over much about doing it after it's rained unless it has been really dry in your area (in which case it would be a good idea). Last year I mulched front and back garden with a variety of different composts and also Strulch (which takes a long time to break down but has improved the soil structure). All of these mulches have had the effect of improving the amount of growth all my plants put on this year, so I don't think it matters hugely which one you use, it's all organic matter and will all be good for your garden. You could try something slightly different each time you mulch, I think that adds a bit of variety into the soil structure. I've aimed only to use organic mulches - nothing with any artificial fertilizers in, as this is not good for the soil or the beneficial creatures that live in the soil. Your plants need those beneficial bacteria and mini beasts etc and chemical fertilizers can kill them. I'd also be careful before using chipped bark as a mulch as it can alter the PH of the soil etc. I think cardboard is usually laid on a bed if you are trying to supress weeds (by blocking out light to seeds). Your crazy paving will probably have done that already I would have thought.

Thank you for the advice - that’s really helpful.

Perfect time to sow a green manure in the next few weeks, their roots will feed the soil life over winter and improve structure too.

Ooh thanks - I’ll look into that. There’s a lot of ground to cover!

It sounds as though you have done a great job.
To further improve things over time you could buy some earthworms and add mulch each year (make your own compost).

any mushroom farms near you? I got a van load of spent mushroom compost delivered in a similar situation…free mushrooms too. It was v cheap and light to move around.

I’m in London so probably not! But if I buy compost it’ll be those big 1000L bags so still doable!

@PlanetSaturn https://www.thecompostshop.co.uk/delivery-info

But the compost should do too.

Not to harp on, and I'm a massive fan of compost but you really have timed it perfectly for green manure though- the cheapest and easiest solution as it 'makes its own bulk' in situ rather than you having to heft tonnes of compost around PLUS many types will be green over winter rather than a mud bath of compost so if you're looking out from a window it's much less depressing!

@napody … and a lot less costly than bulk compost! The topsoil was from where we lifted grass to make beds a couple of years ago. The turf has been sitting upside down in a pile so the grass has disintegrated into the soil. I’m wondering how nutrient-rich it is and if nitrogen fixing is all that is needed. I’m not growing crops. 🤷‍♀️