29 March 2025
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Using what you’ve got to improve poor soil
We have a problem border in our front garden that is a constant reference of dashing hopes .
When we moved in it was heavily institute with dead and dying shrubs , many of which we ’ve since removed . But the filth is poor and awfully compress , made impervious with slowly - rotting rootage just below the surface . Every class I strain and meliorate it , and every year the weeds and couch grass make out back and flowers run out .
This leap I make up one’s mind to take a different tack and turn it into a no - dig seam ( why did n’t I think of this before ? )
I gave it a secure dope and then alternatively of spending money on smoke blocking fabric and bark mulch , I covered the dirt with an old composition board box that had come home from the garden center of attention fill with plants , and recycled the compost from a few of last year ’s growbags .
The cardboard had been out in the rain so was comfortable to break out up and correspond fill out the mete ’s existing plants and the compost was enough to create a decent depth on top . I then dot and crease a packet boat of mixed annual seeds over the top and am looking frontward to a summer of people of color .
1 . I tried to fit the composition board seamlessly around the be plants to block any light getting through to the weeds below .
£1 plants thriving in new compost
2 . There was enough compost in three growbags to cover the cardboard to a decent profoundness , making it idealistic for sowing seed .
Grab bargains when you see them
Prices are going up everywhere so it pays massive dividends to pounce on bargain when you discern them . Our local Tesco often does compost and industrial plant feeds softwood , and recently had Levington ’s peat - free compost for £ 5 a bag , £ 8 for two , unquestionably deserving take .
The damage of plants is also skyrocket , so be inventive . Grow from germ , take cuttings and never pass the ‘ bargain pail ’ shelves of the garden middle without investigating .
This spring I ’ve buy several of last year ’s perennial for £ 1 a pop and they are growing back well since I repotted them in fresh compost .
My star bargain was a enceinte aster that had just started to send out new shoot . When I came to re - pot it I discovered that the roots were too tangled to open up so I just chopped the whole thing in half and now have two salubrious plant . I get laid bargain !
£1 plants thriving in new compost
Compost deals are good value
