Uses for alkaline soil
I am digging a pond on the site of an old derelict stone cottage,
taken down some 20 years ago. The soil I'm excavating is obviously made up, i.e. isn't virgin, has a pH of about 8 and contains a lot of fine soft friable mortar rubble. I presume this is old lime-mortar, at least in part, and probably came from the remains of the cottage. I intend to include a bog garden in part of the pond, on top of the liner, and the alkalinity of the soil has come as a bit of a surprise, as we overlie granite and the soil is generally acid. Two questions: 1. Can I use this alkaline soil for the bog garden? Intended plants include Lobelia tupa, L. gerardii Verdrariensis, Bulleyana and Beesiana primulas (I think they like acid soil), Carex elata Aurea, some bog irises, Lythrum salicaria, Zantedeschia Elliottiana, etc. 2. I was thinking of using the remaining soil to make an elevated rockery for growing alpines, but as yet I have no idea what I might grow or the soil requirements, other than it should be well drained. Would an alkaline soil be suitable, at least for some types, and if so, what? (I've always fancied growing blue gentians but the intended site faces south with no shade so may be too sunny). -- Chris E-mail: christopher[dot]hogg[at]virgin[dot]net |
Uses for alkaline soil
In message
Chris Hogg wrote: I am digging a pond on the site of an old derelict stone cottage, taken down some 20 years ago. The soil I'm excavating is obviously made up, i.e. isn't virgin, has a pH of about 8 and contains a lot of fine soft friable mortar rubble. I presume this is old lime-mortar, at least in part, and probably came from the remains of the cottage. I intend to include a bog garden in part of the pond, on top of the liner, and the alkalinity of the soil has come as a bit of a surprise, as we overlie granite and the soil is generally acid. 2. I was thinking of using the remaining soil to make an elevated rockery for growing alpines, but as yet I have no idea what I might grow or the soil requirements, other than it should be well drained. Would an alkaline soil be suitable, at least for some types, and if so, what? (I've always fancied growing blue gentians but the intended site faces south with no shade so may be too sunny). Most alpines will do well at pH 8 except asiatic autumn gentians and probably lewisias . Gentiana verna / angulosa should be fine. (if you are on granite you are not in south east England and so have less risk of drying out). Dianthus will love it as will saxifrages, alpine poppies, aqualigia etc. As you say well drained with some organic matter. Enjoy Paul -- CTC Right to Ride Representative for Richmond upon Thames |
Uses for alkaline soil
On Tue, 31 Oct 2006 21:58:14 GMT, Paul Luton
wrote: Most alpines will do well at pH 8 except asiatic autumn gentians and probably lewisias . Gentiana verna / angulosa should be fine. (if you are on granite you are not in south east England and so have less risk of drying out). Dianthus will love it as will saxifrages, alpine poppies, aqualigia etc. As you say well drained with some organic matter. Enjoy Paul Paul, thank you for that. It solves a problem as to what to do with the excavated soil (and there's going to be quite a lot of it!), even if I can't use it for the bog garden. I feel a book-purchase coming on..... -- Chris E-mail: christopher[dot]hogg[at]virgin[dot]net |
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