Chris Hogg wrote:
On 1 Sep 2005 15:50:48 -0700, "Amber" wrote:

Well in either of the cases, weither I decide to test the soil or
use
various types of getting more nutrients in how long should it take
to
see a change? I have some deciduous and some that keep their
leaves.
Presumably the best time to treat the deciduous is in the Spring?

IME, correcting chlorosis by treating the soil with whatever can
take
several weeks to show an effect. AS DT said, one's first reaction
to
chlorosis on a chalky soil is iron and/or manganese deficiency,
although some of the plants you mention (e.g. lilac) should be OK,
but
the rowan might not like it. I'd water them with some ericaceous
fertiliser (Phostrogen and MiracleGrow both do one), and that's
certainly simpler/cheaper than getting your soil tested. But
whether
you'll see any effect before they shed their leaves in autumn is
questionable. As you imply, next spring perhaps.

As an afterthought, they're not just dry are they?

Personally, I don't much like adding specialist fertilisers or
mineral supplements: it can be an endless treadmill. A garden looks
much better, and is a hell of a lot less work and worry, if you stick
to plants which like the conditions you've got. You really want to
grow blueberries over the White Cliffs of Dover*? If something
doesn't like your garden, it's no great hardship to admit defeat and
plant something else instead. I'm not knocking experiment, mind you:
that's part of the fun -- I still remember the Welsh hill farmer down
the road who just "knew" it would be worth sowing barley, and made a
small packet when all the neighbours had thought he was out of his
mind (they then tried it, and fell on their faces).

I won't say I actually despise soil testing, but let's say it doesn't
thrill me.

*Apologies to any sufferers from Stuck Tune Syndrome.

--
Mike.