I agree 100%!


--
Mike LaMana, MS
Heartwood Consulting Services, LLC
Toms River, NJ
www.HeartwoodConsulting.net


"Vox Humana" wrote in message
...

"Matt" wrote in message
.. .
I am interested in using one of these trees (?) in our landscaping. We
just
finished building the house, so we will be starting from scratch. We
would
like to use this spruce as a specimen plant near the front of the house.
The area where this planting bed will be located is 100% sand right now.
We
are going to have several loads of topsoil delivered and placed into the
planting bed. We are unsure how deep we need to make the beds. Is 12"
of
topsoil over top of the sand enough? or does the topsoil need to be
deeper?
how deep? These beds will are not intended to be raised, but flush
with
the surrounding lawn. Therefore we have to dig out the sand and fill
with
topsoil. When the house foundation was being installed, we found it
necessary to raise the grade about 6' around the house due to the high
water
table in the area. This 6' of foundation backfill is all sand. That is
why
we have to fill in planting beds with topsoil. But how much we don't
know.
There will also be a foundation planter all the way around the house
that
also need to be filled with topsoil before we can plant any shrubs or
perrenials. How much soil do we need in this bed? Again, is 8" to 12"
OK
here? this bed will be mostly shrubs such as boxwoods, yews, dwarf
conifers, perrenials and a few annuals.

Can trees grow succesfully in 100% sandy soils, with just a few inches
of
topsoil, as long as there is adequate moisture? Due to the high water
table
in the area, moisture shouldn't be a problem.

any info is greatly appreciated,


I think that 12 inches in minimal. I would go with more - maybe 24 or 30
inches. Also, If you intend to grow shrubs and perennials, I would find
out
exactly what "top soil" means from your supplier. Sometimes it is horrid
stuff. Most likely your supplier has a variety of soils available. The
place I get soil sells top soil, super-soil, perennial mix, and well as
all
the components needed to amend soil. They will mix large loads to your
specifications. I had to trench out a ditch along one side of my house
for
utilities. I discarded the heavy clay soil and replace it with 24 inches
of
super-soil. One the other side of the house I had a landscape company
plant
a bunch of shrubs. I won't home when they did the work. They said they
would amend the soil and add soil to correct the grade. What ever they
did
it was minimal and the health of the plants shows it compared to the ones
grown in the deep super-soil bed that I put in.