Terror of a bare bed: soil remediation for a newbie

Discussion in 'HortForum' started by boondoggle, Oct 21, 2007.

  1. boondoggle

    boondoggle Active Member

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    Hello all,

    I have been planning to add Apatite, sand, compost and some other goodies to my denuded beds (all foundation plants killed or irretrievably damaged in drain tile digging in late spring). I'm putting in a big new bed as well.

    Some people would feel excited about the prospect of a bare garden canvas, but I'm intimidated! As well, it's easy to come across conflicting info.

    Listening to CBC on Friday, I heard that we in BC should not be digging compost into our clay laden soil at this time of year, we should simply lay it on top, so as not to compound the problem when everything is water-logged. What about the other things I wanted to add? On top, or wait til we dry out a bit (hah!) and then dig it all in.

    As well, any pointers on where I can rent or borrow a turf cutter?

    Many thanks for insight!
    Boondoggle
     
  2. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    If you're planting mostly shrubs choose ones suited to clay soils (there are many), plant them now (fall is the best time to plant cold-hardy subjects) and mulch afterward with arborist wood chips or cedar play chips.

    Amend beds only for small, herbaceous subjects that are to be replaced or lifted, divided and replanted frequently such as vegetables and certain fast-growing perennials (like asters).
     
  3. KarinL

    KarinL Well-Known Member 10 Years

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    A&B Tools has never NOT had a tool I've wanted to rent, but I admit I've never tried to rent a turf cutter. You can get away with not using it in many cases if you just do the lasagne thing over top of grass.

    Digging in wet soil does tend to compact it. We don't dry out enough all winter to make digging a good thing, although I do plant all winter if I need to, but carefully.

    It might help to overcome your intimidation to remember that you can always move plants, even years after you plant them, if you find you've done something you don't like.
     
  4. Karalyn

    Karalyn Active Member

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    Well, compost can go on top. What I've been doing with a bare bed riddled with quack grass with horrible runners. Is put my digging fork in, and pull away from the top layer of some dead grass that I had sprayed but still connected to eachother, and quickly add amendments such as sand, perlite, pine needles and leaves from my Honey locust tree that is over my fish pond.

    This is to keep it separated from the clay and will help to make it easier to work with and pull out future weeds. Also, here in Boise we don't get the rain you have, but we have had rain, and when it was suppose to rain that day, I covered my project with clear plastic as that is what I have available. I guess you could use boards or a tarp or a plastic table cloth.

    Because then when its not raining the clay won't be saturated as much. But if BC rains like Seattle then I don't know what you gardeners have to do over there.
     
  5. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    Vancouver rains more than Seattle. However, summers are dry in most populated lowland parts of this region, some soils may still be dry even in spring some years. Many eastern North American locations have higher annual precipitation totals than Seattle.
     
    Last edited: Oct 21, 2007
  6. Karalyn

    Karalyn Active Member

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    Wow, that is really interesting. So you are lucky to see some blue sky!
     
  7. growing4it

    growing4it Active Member 10 Years

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    Something else that you might want to consider is using raised garden beds. You could install compost ontop of the existing clay soil now and plan to add edging - wood timbers, rocks or concrete units and then importing new topsoil for your smaller shrubs and perennials and choosing clay tolerant trees and large shrubs.
     
  8. KarinL

    KarinL Well-Known Member 10 Years

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    Karalyn, that is a good idea to cover areas being worked on in the rainy season. Yes, we are lucky to see blue sky these days... some is promised for tomorrow!
     

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