Advice on getting condition into top soil please.

downshifter

Morning.  Since moving to this house I've been trying to make a garden from what was originally gravel and concrete.  Getting there bit by bit and most recently bought some top soil locally which I've used for raised beds.  However it is very solid and I need both to lighten it and to introduce some organic matter.   It's not clay but just solid as well as soggy!

As I havent been here long enough to build compost nor has there been anything growing that I can incorporate into the soil, nor have I got access to old manure (though I can get plenty of new manure now my neighbours cows are in for the winter).  I'm obviously going to have to buy in something.  But what and where from?  Unfortunately our local council doesn't sell compost.  Before I had the beds I had lots of pots so have thrown in the compost from those but need lots more.  Or maybe some other kind of conditioner?

Grateful for any advice - I've never had a garden which didn't have plants or even soil before!

RAS

Right now, leaves? Just take then up wherever you find them, plie on the beds and cover with net.

If you can get waste from a tree surgeon, add a layer on top.to hold them down instead. Or use waste cardboard and some bricks.

twopenny

This time of year is the most difficult for compost as little is on sale that would help.
I agree if you can get leaves to bury that would help and they aren't heavy. I would collect from around my house as we had street trees.
Not knowing your age or location I found people who kept horses in a padock would have piles but it's hard and heavy work collecting. Also needs to be weathered or will burn the roots.

In spring tomato growbags are cheapest and best. Mushroom compost is sometimes advertised.
Would it be possible a recycling centre apart from your own would be within reach? An 80yr old gardener used it entirely for raised beds and did well with it.
In the meantime I'd be inclined to take a small amount of your soil and dry it out if you can to see what it's like when it's not sodden.
Avoid the cheap compost bags that arrive in summer. They do nothing for the soil.

I too moved to a plot of no garden, just grass and gravel. You are not alone
It is now full and the buying plants bit is fun and compulsive!

fatbelly

Green manure? 

A bit late in the season to be sowing anything now but winter vetch might work well for you

downshifter

Thank you so much for all these ideas.  I have now collected a bin bag of leaves while out walking the dog - they're very soggy too but will probably rot down ok. Will also look at green manure, that's a great idea too.  The local farmer has plenty of cow manure but its all fresh as he chucks it on the fields as soon as he does the weekly clean out. I'm only young (early 70s) so quite happy to barrow it through the village! I had heard that sheep poo would be ok without needing to be weathered and could collect that from the fields.  I'll also investigate neighbouring council recyling.  

Interesting to hear about your garden twopenny - though I'd be grateful for some grass!!

Thanks again helpful people.

twopenny

I used to use bin bags for leaves. They do compost down quickly and great for roses. By quickly I mean next spring or summer

What about anyone near that keeps chickens? I know it needs to be composted but google is your friend. Being small it may go quicker.

I did look and it seems to be one of the best but how to compost rambled on. Mostly it seems a compost heap. Still, I'll be looking for some myself now.

Grass? I had to dig out turf for beds - I composted it - then I started throwing it over the fence into my badger run (different story) - now I need to widen the beds so more turf.

I'm thinking raised beds would have been so much easier and look at my neighbours with affection.

I also am beginning to join the 'can I pebble the area instead' brigade. I tut tutted at the beginning but just think, I could tend the plants in any weather and no more mowing. Slight downside, I'm on a steep slope.

Farway

twopenny said:

I also am beginning to join the 'can I pebble the area instead' brigade. I tut tutted at the beginning but just think, I could tend the plants in any weather and no more mowing. Slight downside, I'm on a steep slope.

Alpine scree garden?

https://katierushworth.com/creating-an-alpine-scree-garden/

https://www.saga.co.uk/magazine/home-garden/gardening/ideas/landscaping/creating-an-alpine-scree-garden