|
Post by floydie on Jul 30, 2011 15:21:47 GMT
Ive been attacking the front again (its boiling hot am i mad : i keep digging/scraping and the pebbles keep coming . I'm thinking would i get away with this now when Ive put the top soil back?? If i dig any more I'm likely to collapse from heat exhaustion . I'm planning a wild life (wild plants & flowers) area for the front would they cope on top of the stones?? I also have fox gloves to add and other bits and bats. (I also have more areas in the front that look just the same and Ive been on and off this small bed for weeks ). To top it off OHs just said it looks like i haven't done anything .
|
|
|
Post by peony on Jul 30, 2011 15:51:28 GMT
That looks like the hardcore that was under the paving Floydie and it looks very 'grey'. Has it got cement in it?
|
|
|
Post by Tel on Jul 30, 2011 16:32:50 GMT
Down the side of our drive is like that, a pick axe was needed. It did not stop us from planting shrubs and drought tolerant perennials, it is well drained because of all the stone, but the plants are fine. we just made sure our plants did not need acid conditions.
|
|
|
Post by SueA on Jul 30, 2011 16:37:19 GMT
It does look very dry & hard Floydie, it's annoying when you've worked so hard & seem to be getting nowhere, it must be tempting to just put some compost etc. on top but I think you'd have problems with anything needing a deep root run, you might get away with foxgloves & wildflowers though but other than that I think as Tel. says you might want to try a pick axe or something. Just take a rest & don't get sunstroke!
|
|
|
Post by Cherry on Jul 30, 2011 17:14:00 GMT
Poor Floydie. My husband came in when I was looking at your 'soil' and I said you were a young lass with a family and he said you would need to be young to dig that. He thinks along the same lines as your husband I might add. He would not notice your digging either. That is good advice from Tel who has been through it. Just break it up as best you can and get some better soil or compost. Put some of this on and mix it in, then top it off with good stuff - whatever you can get. You are getting there.
|
|
|
Post by Louise on Jul 30, 2011 17:47:16 GMT
Be aware the small stones will always rise to the surface and despite what you remove now there will be the others constantly coming to the surface as the soil settles and compacts.
Mulching often will help to keep the surface level right, plus, it'll improve the soil too.
You have there a similar type of garden to me - mine is always showing stones and a 'rough ground' look - once you've incorporated some top soil and some composted manure that area will be away - don't use too much of the manure though because if it's going to be a herbaceous bed perennials are happier in impoverished soil.
|
|
|
Post by floydie on Jul 30, 2011 19:02:36 GMT
Thanks all . OH took to digging more of it out and putting some top soil back in. It does look alot better now but there is still a little bit to do. I think i may go to B&Q tomorrow (If i can get my mum to take me) for some compost and or soil improver just to mulch around the top maybe i could get some plants in next week . My plan for whats left of the slabs (which will make a walk way around the beds) is to put fabric over the top of them then add wood chippings I think it will look alot better and natural .
|
|
|
Post by merlin on Jul 30, 2011 19:22:28 GMT
Blimey a bit hot for that Floydie, still you've probably lost a pound or two! I don't blame you for not getting all the gravel out, wild flowers don't need rich soil anyway. One wild plant that would thrive there is 'Rose-bay-willow-herb.
|
|
|
Post by Cherry on Jul 30, 2011 19:25:01 GMT
That would look pretty, but my instinct is to go with what is there and just soften the edges with a few plants which will fall over the path just a little. It can easily be swept.
You certainly sound a lot happier.
|
|
|
Post by blossom on Jul 31, 2011 8:31:13 GMT
At least it will be well drained and the plants you mention would cope quite well if you just put topsoil on
|
|
|
Post by floydie on Jul 31, 2011 11:42:36 GMT
At least it will be well drained and the plants you mention would cope quite well if you just put topsoil on Doesn't make much of a difference really from the back all it means is i will have the front to water as well . I was hopeing for easy care in the front but oh well .
|
|
|
Post by Cherry on Jul 31, 2011 13:00:18 GMT
Well you could look for plants that suit dry areas and there won't be so much watering to do. Instead of wild plants, you could grow small lavenders, salvias, etc. Not much work involved in these.
|
|