Best soil ?

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by conks, May 1, 2006.

  1. conks

    conks Apprentice Gardener

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    Hi,

    I'm a first timer I'm afraid.

    Really confused with regards to soil type.

    I've done a Ph test which revealed 6.0 (acid).

    I'm looking to put in eventually, Foxgloves, Forget-Me-Not's etc. so IO don't know whether I need to blend into the borders to be, more top soil & peat etc. ?
     
  2. Palustris

    Palustris Total Gardener

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    Generally speaking a slightly acid soil like yours will grow almost anything except perhaps dianthus (though they will grow but not really thrive). The acidiy level is not really an indication of fertility though. Daft as it sounds, lok at your weeds! The better they grow, especially things like nettles and docks, then the more fertile your soil is.
    It is fairly easy to improve the fertility of a soil by adding lots of organic matter (not peat, it has no food value whatsoever)such as manure, well rooted compost etc, even fertiliser. BUT it is far more difficult to change the acidity or otherwise of a soil, that is a matter of geology.
    Lime (to increase alkilinity) will wash out fairly quickly or wash in if you try to make a soil more acid.
    Your foxgloves and forget me nots do not really mind what kind of soil in which they grow.
     
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