Garden Doctor > Soil Improvers

Questions

Is Farmyard Manure suitable to use as a soil improver for my roses?

The soil in my vegetable patch is a bit thin and lacking in vigour. My plants really don't seem to grow very strongly at all. Is there anything I can use to improve matters?

The plants in my beds and borders are not growing as well as the plants in my back garden. Is there any reason for this and can you recommend something to help this?

We've moved into a new house and the garden has little more than rubble and a thin layer of top soil, what should we do?

We've removed part of our lawn to make a central bed, but the soil is flat and has no substance to it. How can I build it up?

My soil is heavy clay and I find it very hard to dig, what's the best course of action?

How can I improve my sandy soil?

How do I find out what sort of soil I have?

Answers

Is Farmyard Manure suitable to use as a soil improver for my roses?
Yes, it is ideal for roses as they need a rich supply of nutrients. It is also suitable for most other plants that are heavy feeders such as potatoes and rhubarb. It cannot, however, be used on ericaceous plants such as azaleas and rhododendrons because it contains lime which acid loving plants cannot tolerate.

The soil in my vegetable patch is a bit thin and lacking in vigour. My plants really don't seem to grow very strongly at all. Is there anything I can use to improve matters?
The secret to a successful garden is in the soil and it is very important to build up and improve the soil fertility. You need to enhance the soil structure and incorporate plenty of well-rotted organic matter. Dig in some Soil Conditioner, working it into the soil with a fork. This contains a blend of composted bark and organic farmyard manure and it's the ideal choice for vegetable garden. It has many benefits: it helps to hold moisture in the soil; it improves soil drainage; it provides a source of nutrients that are slowly released to the plants and it encourages soil dwelling organisms to colonise the soil which keeps it healthy.

The plants in my beds and borders are not growing as well as the plants in my back garden. Is there any reason for this and can you recommend something to help this?
Border soils can become depleted of nutrients and organic matter over time - which is frequently the cause for poor growth. It is recommended to apply Soil Conditioner, which contains a blend of composted bark and organic farmyard manure, which will help improve the soil condition, improving moisture holding capacity and drainage as well as providing a slow release of nutrients. Other plant foods such as Chicken Manure Pellets or Growmore will also help restore soil nutrient levels.

We've moved into a new house and the garden has little more than rubble and a thin layer of top soil, what should we do?
Firstly, you need to get rid of as much of the rubble as you can. Once the rubble has gone it is important to build up the topsoil so that any plants you grow have depth to grow into. Take care not to raise the soil level too much or this may cause water to run off, causing problems elsewhere. Be sure not to raise the soil level anywhere near the damp proof course of buildings. Loosen the underlying soil using a fork and then spread a generous amount of Premium Garden Soil over the top. This is a specially selected nutrient rich clay loam soil with a high content of organic matter and also added fertiliser, so it will give your plants a very good start. When planting trees and shrubs be sure to dig a large hole and use Rose, Tree & Shrub Compost with added John Innes. Feed your plants regularly and keep adding Soil Conditioner or organic Farmyard Manure to help build the soil structure and encourage a healthy soil environment.

We've removed part of our lawn to make a central bed, but the soil is flat and has no substance to it. How can I build it up?
The lawn will have removed nutrients from the soil below and the ground will have been compacted over time by passing feet and lawnmowers. You need to dig over the area thoroughly removing any large stones and perennial weeds. Build up the soil from the centre outwards using Top Soil. This is a specially selected, sterilised and graded garden top soil that is ideal for use when creating new beds. If the soil is lacking in substance you could also dig in Soil Conditioner that will add more organic matter to the soil and help improve its overall structure.

My soil is heavy clay and I find it very hard to dig, what's the best course of action?
A heavy clay soil will need plenty of attention to make it more workable. The problem with clay soils is that they are often slow to drain, and can become waterlogged. They also take longer to warm up in the spring. In summer they can dry out completely and actually crack which can damage plant roots. But clay soils are more water retentive and are usually very fertile. Work on an area at a time. You need to mix in plenty of organic matter, to bind the soil particles into separate and smaller crumbs. This will improve the structure of the soil and open it up to encourage better drainage. The organic matter will also encourage soil organisms that are essential for a healthy soil. Dig in plenty of Soil Conditioner to open up the structure and you can also apply it as mulch that will be gradually worked down into the soil by the worms. Do this at least once a year until you notice a considerable improvement in your soil

How can I improve my sandy soil?
The trouble with sandy soil is that is drains too freely, so that nutrients are quickly leached out and the soil doesn't hold onto moisture. However there are advantages too. They are quicker to warm up in the spring and can be easily worked. Simply dig in Soil Conditioner around the garden. This contains a blend of composted bark and organic farmyard manure and it's an ideal choice for sandy soils. It has many benefits: it helps to hold moisture in the soil; it improves soil drainage; it provides a source of nutrients that are slowly released to the plants and it encourages soil dwelling organisms to colonise the soil which keeps it healthy.

How do I find out what sort of soil I have?
Getting to know your soil is important. Invest in a pH test kit that will tell you whether your soil is acidic or alkaline. This will determine what you can grow. Acid loving plants will not thrive in alkaline soils and plants that like lime will not flourish if your soil is acidic. Soil testing kits are widely available and inexpensive. Choose a simple kit that gives you a rating for the pH. A pH of 6 or below indicates an acid soil, a pH of 7 is a neutral soil and anything above 7 is an alkaline soil. As a quick guide look at the sorts of plants your neighbours are growing, visit local gardens and get a feel for what thrives on your soil. To find out what sort of soil you have, it is best to get your hands dirty. Feel the soil; rub a small amount between your fingers. If it feels gritty then the soil is sandy, if you can roll it into a ball and shape it, then it is a clay soil. There are gradations between these two extremes, which depend on the proportions of clay, sand and silt. A silty soil will be smoother and feel soapy.