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#1
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Planting New Shrubs - How to Prepare Soil?
We will be re-planting shrubs, plants & small trees on our front property
here in NJ. I'm seeking advice on the best way to prepare the land and soil for this job. The approximate area is 25' wide x 10' deep and was recently cleared of all the old hedges and small trees- removal, stump grinding and all. The dirt on my property is a hard clay type but this area was softened (dry and almost mushy) by the removal work. I recently raked and whacked all weeds growing there too. Next, I plan on sealing the area with a plastic weed barrier, topping with good topsoil, then digging the holes and inserting the shrubs/plants/trees. Is the above method correct for starting new plantings? Should I use the weed barrier? Do I need the topsoil? Will fall be the best time to plant for them to survive the winter? Is there anything else I should be doing? If you have a web site how-to link, that would help me too! |
#2
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Planting New Shrubs - How to Prepare Soil?
I'd do just as you're doing except for a few things. I'd put on the topsoil
and rototill it in before laying down the weed barrier. Then plan on a good mulch of bark or pine straw on top of the barrier material both to hold the material in place and enhance the soil even more as well as hold in the moisture. The barrier may be good, but it's not going to outdo Mother Nature, guaranteed. Gary "Billy" wrote in message ... We will be re-planting shrubs, plants & small trees on our front property here in NJ. I'm seeking advice on the best way to prepare the land and soil for this job. The approximate area is 25' wide x 10' deep and was recently cleared of all the old hedges and small trees- removal, stump grinding and all. The dirt on my property is a hard clay type but this area was softened (dry and almost mushy) by the removal work. I recently raked and whacked all weeds growing there too. Next, I plan on sealing the area with a plastic weed barrier, topping with good topsoil, then digging the holes and inserting the shrubs/plants/trees. Is the above method correct for starting new plantings? Should I use the weed barrier? Do I need the topsoil? Will fall be the best time to plant for them to survive the winter? Is there anything else I should be doing? If you have a web site how-to link, that would help me too! |
#3
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Planting New Shrubs - How to Prepare Soil?
Maybe I should then forget the barrier? What is rototill, and over or under
what does this go? "V_coerulea" wrote in message news I'd do just as you're doing except for a few things. I'd put on the topsoil and rototill it in before laying down the weed barrier. Then plan on a good mulch of bark or pine straw on top of the barrier material both to hold the material in place and enhance the soil even more as well as hold in the moisture. The barrier may be good, but it's not going to outdo Mother Nature, guaranteed. Gary "Billy" wrote in message ... We will be re-planting shrubs, plants & small trees on our front property here in NJ. I'm seeking advice on the best way to prepare the land and soil for this job. The approximate area is 25' wide x 10' deep and was recently cleared of all the old hedges and small trees- removal, stump grinding and all. The dirt on my property is a hard clay type but this area was softened (dry and almost mushy) by the removal work. I recently raked and whacked all weeds growing there too. Next, I plan on sealing the area with a plastic weed barrier, topping with good topsoil, then digging the holes and inserting the shrubs/plants/trees. Is the above method correct for starting new plantings? Should I use the weed barrier? Do I need the topsoil? Will fall be the best time to plant for them to survive the winter? Is there anything else I should be doing? If you have a web site how-to link, that would help me too! |
#4
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Planting New Shrubs - How to Prepare Soil?
Hey Billy,
1) A rototiller is a machine that turns the soil over, which saves you having to do it by hand. 2) If your soil is pretty heavy clay you need to add a 2" layer of sand to the topsoil before you use the rototiller or shovel. The sand will help with the drainage of the soil. Some peat moss wouldn't hurt either (same amount as the sand). 3) It would also be wise to add a sprinkle of bone meal in every hole that you plant in. Mix some more in the soil you are filling the hole with. Hope this helps, -- Jayel "Billy" wrote in message ... We will be re-planting shrubs, plants & small trees on our front property here in NJ. I'm seeking advice on the best way to prepare the land and soil for this job. The approximate area is 25' wide x 10' deep and was recently cleared of all the old hedges and small trees- removal, stump grinding and all. The dirt on my property is a hard clay type but this area was softened (dry and almost mushy) by the removal work. I recently raked and whacked all weeds growing there too. Next, I plan on sealing the area with a plastic weed barrier, topping with good topsoil, then digging the holes and inserting the shrubs/plants/trees. Is the above method correct for starting new plantings? Should I use the weed barrier? Do I need the topsoil? Will fall be the best time to plant for them to survive the winter? Is there anything else I should be doing? If you have a web site how-to link, that would help me too! |
#5
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Planting New Shrubs - How to Prepare Soil?
Forgive me if I'm being stupid, but why is it required that I turn the soil
over before topsoil and planting? "J. Lane" wrote in message . ca... Hey Billy, 1) A rototiller is a machine that turns the soil over, which saves you having to do it by hand. 2) If your soil is pretty heavy clay you need to add a 2" layer of sand to the topsoil before you use the rototiller or shovel. The sand will help with the drainage of the soil. Some peat moss wouldn't hurt either (same amount as the sand). 3) It would also be wise to add a sprinkle of bone meal in every hole that you plant in. Mix some more in the soil you are filling the hole with. Hope this helps, -- Jayel "Billy" wrote in message ... We will be re-planting shrubs, plants & small trees on our front property here in NJ. I'm seeking advice on the best way to prepare the land and soil for this job. The approximate area is 25' wide x 10' deep and was recently cleared of all the old hedges and small trees- removal, stump grinding and all. The dirt on my property is a hard clay type but this area was softened (dry and almost mushy) by the removal work. I recently raked and whacked all weeds growing there too. Next, I plan on sealing the area with a plastic weed barrier, topping with good topsoil, then digging the holes and inserting the shrubs/plants/trees. Is the above method correct for starting new plantings? Should I use the weed barrier? Do I need the topsoil? Will fall be the best time to plant for them to survive the winter? Is there anything else I should be doing? If you have a web site how-to link, that would help me too! |
#6
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Planting New Shrubs - How to Prepare Soil?
Forgive me if I'm being stupid, but why is it required that I turn the soil
over before topsoil and planting? The idea is that you add organic matter to the soil and then turn it over to mix it in. If you rototill and dont add anything, you are basically making the situation worse. I wouldnt add sand unless you like to waste time and money on things. Toad |
#7
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Planting New Shrubs - How to Prepare Soil?
If you rototill and dont add anything, you are basically making the
situation worse. ____Reply Separator_____ How is this making the situation worse? |
#8
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Planting New Shrubs - How to Prepare Soil?
Maybe I should then forget the barrier? What is rototill, and over or under
what does this go? "V_coerulea" wrote in message news I'd do just as you're doing except for a few things. I'd put on the topsoil and rototill it in before laying down the weed barrier. Then plan on a good mulch of bark or pine straw on top of the barrier material both to hold the material in place and enhance the soil even more as well as hold in the moisture. The barrier may be good, but it's not going to outdo Mother Nature, guaranteed. Gary "Billy" wrote in message ... We will be re-planting shrubs, plants & small trees on our front property here in NJ. I'm seeking advice on the best way to prepare the land and soil for this job. The approximate area is 25' wide x 10' deep and was recently cleared of all the old hedges and small trees- removal, stump grinding and all. The dirt on my property is a hard clay type but this area was softened (dry and almost mushy) by the removal work. I recently raked and whacked all weeds growing there too. Next, I plan on sealing the area with a plastic weed barrier, topping with good topsoil, then digging the holes and inserting the shrubs/plants/trees. Is the above method correct for starting new plantings? Should I use the weed barrier? Do I need the topsoil? Will fall be the best time to plant for them to survive the winter? Is there anything else I should be doing? If you have a web site how-to link, that would help me too! |
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