If you had the chance to create a perfect growing medium what would it
be ? I'm just about to create 3 new beds, one is to be a bog garden by the
pond in semi shade, one is to be a full sun mixed flower border (not decided
what to plant for sure yet, just browsing books) and the other is in full
sun for aprox half the day and semi shade in the morning, this will be a mix
of climbers; wisteria, clematis, jasmine.

What would be a perfect ratio of soil, manure, compost etc to give your
plants the perfect growing environment, leaving PH and area out of the
equation? Would a bog garden (apart from the moisture levels) thrive in the
same mix of "perfect" growing medium? If the beds area to be made from
scratch and money is no limit........................... What would be
yours ?????


Jason

"jason" wrote ...
If you had the chance to create a perfect growing medium what would it
be ? I'm just about to create 3 new beds, one is to be a bog garden by the
pond in semi shade, one is to be a full sun mixed flower border (not
decided what to plant for sure yet, just browsing books) and the other is
in full sun for aprox half the day and semi shade in the morning, this
will be a mix of climbers; wisteria, clematis, jasmine.

What would be a perfect ratio of soil, manure, compost etc to give your
plants the perfect growing environment, leaving PH and area out of the
equation? Would a bog garden (apart from the moisture levels) thrive in
the same mix of "perfect" growing medium? If the beds area to be made from
scratch and money is no limit........................... What would be
yours ?????

Unfortunately Jason there is no "perfect" growing medium for all, only a
perfect growing medium for each plant.
Take bog plants for example, some like a peat bog, low ph (acid) water, low
nutrient levels, whereas others prefer a clay type soil with good nutrient
levels and yet others demand a high ph chalky soil and hard water.
You simply have to compromise for each bed, e.g. most will grow in a neutral
soil.

Now most garden plants like reasonable drainage and some "Mediterranean"
plants like good drainage so your compost will need to have that
characteristic, however, bog plants don't need that at all, quite the
reverse, they need constant moisture. I would suggest you make each bed
with a different compost to suit the types of plants you intend growing.

BTW do you know how big a Wisteria can grow? If planted in sun, it's a plant
to cover a couple of sides of your house!

--
Regards
Bob
In Runnymede, 17 miles West of London