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My new garden is a bit of a blank canvas and now I know why. Half of it has very poor drainage judging by the moss and it produces lots of fungi in the autumn. I think there may be some pretty solid red sandstone just beneath the surface because it's not long before a fork hits something solid. There are a few things in there but round the edges, the buddleia (sp?) is weedy and rather sad but the other shrubs are ok. The rest of the garden does seem to have more soil but this is heavy red clay - so obviously I'll have to open it out with organic matter but while I'm producing that (I can't afford to buy too much in) any suggestions as to what does well in such conditions? I've ordered bog plants like ragged robin, meadowsweet and so on. Dog roses, rosa rugosa are also in plus native shrub plants. I should add that to add to the general joys, we're in a serious frost pocket. I can't check surrounding gardens as nobody seems to trouble much, opting for large areas of grass, apple trees sometimes but not much else. There are two 'veg' men and I shall take advice from them - but they've been at it for decades and have had a good long time to improve their soils. Raised beds are one option, I know, and I've got plans in hand for them to go in asap. I want plants good for birds and insects, don't mind if their native wildflowers or cottage garden types as long as they can stand heavy clay and the waterlogging and baking clays suffers from and frost, lots of frost. Any suggestionjs greatly appreciated. Oh, the thin soiled area is shady and the rest gets good sun in summer I think.
Yes, I was surprised lack of bullfinches in Kenn as we were surrounded by old orchards - but the house before that, in a suburb of Bristol, was stiff with them, several pairs coming daily. We backed on to allotments there but they were not allowed to plant fruit trees. I had reed buntings at Kenn though - very reedy place the levels - they liked the feeders I had in a small bamboo thicket. I only saw the cirl bunting once here and then very briefly - gorgeous little thing though. Another nice thing here is that there are several large oaks dotted about, not in the garden but in the park and there's another at the end of the lane.
Hi again higgy50
I was just reading your post addressed to kezsmum, Just would like to mention I alsao have soil that is full of clay,some great ideas and informationwhich will help in my garden also this forum isgreat.
Jane
Love it when the sun shines.
Jane g said: Hi again higgy50 I was just reading your post addressed to kezsmum, Just would like to mention I alsao have soil that is full of clay,some great ideas and informationwhich will help in my garden also this forum isgreat. Jane
Thanks jane,
Heavy soil can be a nightmare but I always say you just have to work with it!....After a couple of years you will find it starts to improve and you will soon sort out what does or doesn't grow well. If there is something I really 'MUST' grow and the conditions don't suit I simply dig out a biggish hole and fill it with compost/aggregate which is suitable and plant away!...any clay dug out always comes in handy for a bit of landscaping somewhere else in the garden as you may have seen from my blog!!...just work with what you've got and it's surprising how it rewards you!
Yes I agree 100% this is a very good forum and I've already learnt so much! I think that is the beauty of gardening and wildlife you never stop learning, it is also rewarding when you have been able to share tips and experiences to help someone else?