"Mike Lyle" wrote in message
om...


What's under the lawn where you removed the turf for Mrs Isaac P? If
it's very heavy stuff, the roots may not have spread beyond the
composty bit you dug for them. The Reader's Digest book says she's
very vigorous, capable of reaching 15' on a fence -- this suggests to
me she needs plenty of root room, but the book also says this group
don't want rich soil. Maybe it's just a matter of time to settle in,
but you could cautiously loosen the soil around the planting hole and
mulch the loosened area (lawn-mowings will do it) to encourage root
expansion once the manure's exhausted, which will probably be soon.

Mike.

It's quite heavy clay, so maybe you're right Mike. i'll try that, thanks.