Top Soil & Soil Conditioner

Ian1961

I'm in the process of removing 3 conifer stumps, 1 down to to go, in their place i want to plant some shrubs, flowers etc. Just along from this section of the border i removed 2 stumps last year and the stuff i planted has come pretty well this year. About 6 - 8 inches down i came across what seems to be old slag type stuff which is very difficut to break up and probably get rid of, i am wondering to get the best out of the soil, would it be prudent to use a layer of top soil to bulk it up or take a chance and add soil conditioner? The section i mentioned earlier is the same, the conifers had been in around 25yrs.

Ganga

Can you not dig out the old soil ( i use the term loosely ) and replace it with some good quality top soil and some manure? I have just done the same in my garden where the builders had dumped all the rubbish/dolomite/stones and concrete when the house was built 35 years ago ,had to rent a skip to get it all away and bought 3  bags of manure and 28 bags of top soil ,hard work for a 70 year old but hopefully worth it.

Ian1961

Ganga,

Thanks for your reply, i think the soil is not too bad as it's the same as further along the border, but i would like to deepen the soil a bit to give the new plants a bit more to grow into? So maybe mix and match some new and old.

Keep up the good work.

Ganga

Ian1961 said:

Ganga,

Thanks for your reply, i think the soil is not too bad as it's the same as further along the border, but i would like to deepen the soil a bit to give the new plants a bit more to grow into? So maybe mix and match some new and old.

Keep up the good work.

Sounds like a plan but do not do half a job because if you have to do it again you have wasted time ,effort and the cost of materials
https://us-noi.v-cdn.net/6031891/uploads/editor/7r/i0e3bl21ut2z.jpg IMG_0249.JPG

Davesnave

I too have come across buried 'archaeology,' like old paths or shed bases. Like Ganga, I dug them out, taking several days, but  I have places to put rubble and naff soil. With skips at around £280 a pop for 6cu metre, that's just as well!

If you aren't going to excavate, go for plants that are said to do well on thin chalk soils or real old toughies. Eventually, plants will get their roots through the brash and may thrive, just like they do on old coal heaps and railway cuttings etc.

Ganga

Davesnave said:

I too have come across buried 'archaeology,' like old paths or shed bases. Like Ganga, I dug them out, taking several days, but  I have places to put rubble and naff soil. With skips at around £280 a pop for 6cu metre, that's just as well!

If you aren't going to excavate, go for plants that are said to do well on thin chalk soils or real old toughies. Eventually, plants will get their roots through the brash and may thrive, just like they do on old coal heaps and railway cuttings etc.

The skip cost me £110 and as they put it on the drive did not have to pay for a permit to be on the road, hired one in April for doing most of the garden and the second one in August to finish the job , cost about £160 for soil and manure plus £220 for skips but as we could not go on holiday this year we have spent less money and have a garden that we now can grow plants.
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Ian1961

Ganga,

Looks great, well done.