don't know what to use! I've seen (professionally prepared) bags of manure compost for mulching, would this be good? Or would it need to be dug in a bit? You all know I'm a raw beginner at this, but am desparate to succeed too. Our soil here in rural Lincolnshire is VERY Clay. We've got one of those garden Vacuums that shread the leaves and garden twigs etc - would that do?

AngeTheUnsure
xx

Oh pleassssse help,

Morning Chaps, Thanks so much George.com. Charlie P & 'Mike'. This is the help I needed. This property is only 5 years old, so the ground is not good - typical of new builds. I've put in quite a few shrubd already, so if come Autumn/Winter I dig in compost near to those, it wld be ok then? Also have a wormery (4 months old) so have the compost from that to use too. Have got just one sackfull so far, and I think thats good going as they can take 6 months at first to really get going.

Thanks again, I'll keep ya posted. Happy Saturday,

Ange
xxx

"AngeTheUnsure" wrote in message
...

Morning Chaps, Thanks so much George.com. Charlie P & 'Mike'. This is
the help I needed. This property is only 5 years old, so the ground is
not good - typical of new builds. I've put in quite a few shrubd
already, so if come Autumn/Winter I dig in compost near to those, it
wld be ok then? Also have a wormery (4 months old) so have the compost
from that to use too. Have got just one sackfull so far, and I think
thats good going as they can take 6 months at first to really get
going.

if any gardens are going to be unplanted for a season or 2 just load it up
with organic matter and let nature takes its course. Yesterday I spread some
aged horse & chicken poop across 2 gardens. One is in broccoli the other is
fallow. The poop is partially broken down and spread a couple of inchs deep.
Over spring it will complete its degradation. The only problem is the dogs
developing a taste for stinking 1/2 aged poop.

rob

Morning Rob, thanks for this. No beds will be unlpanted and all of them flower/shrubs not veggies. I AM living and learning though!! Oh... aren't dogs disgusting?? Seriously though, I believe the reason they eat ***t is due to a calcium deficiency... any Vets want to put me straight on this one??

Ange
x

On 11 Aug, 09:20, AngeTheUnsure AngeTheUnsure.
wrote:
Morning Chaps, Thanks so much George.com. Charlie P & 'Mike'. This is
the help I needed. This property is only 5 years old, so the ground is
not good - typical of new builds. I've put in quite a few shrubd
already, so if come Autumn/Winter I dig in compost near to those, it
wld be ok then? Also have a wormery (4 months old) so have the compost
from that to use too. Have got just one sackfull so far, and I think
thats good going as they can take 6 months at first to really get
going.

I live on clay land in Lincolnshire, and although the structure is
very heavy it is very fertile. Don't break your heart about trying to
improve all your soil all at once. Things will grow spectacularly in
it as it is, especially if you just turn it over before planting
things to get some air in and encourage a bit of drainage. Try and
visit local independent garden cetres (Rassels at Little Bytham, for
example) who will be growing things that are happy in the soil you
have, rather than shipping in mass produced boxes of stuff from all
over.

Look at, and talk about, your neighbours gardens, see what is doing
well for them. Plant a few things like Potentilla or ssghrub roses
that will grow anyway, with the intention of taking them out in a
couple of years when you want to work that location over more
intensively.

Sometimes small-scale care - like digging what compost you have into a
planting hole before putting in a tree, or just putting in a few
handfuls of bonemeal to encourage root growth, or putting half a
bucket of grit into the top inch of soil around things that are
inclined to damp off, is all you have to do. Not attacking the whole
area like a mad cultivator, or the people you see on TV.

Don't rush at it like a bull at a gate. Take your time, make a few
experiments, and try to live a bit with what you have. Save your
energy for the long haul. You need a challenge every year, not just
on the first one!