Laura & CTB Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 After many years I have finally decided to create a shrub bed in my (very) small front garden so have dug out (or rather CTB did) a rectangle about 8 inches deep. Can someone advise me as to what mixture I use to fill it - i.e. compost, grit(?), topsoil etc and what proportions. It is always in the shade and so stays quite damp. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 Hi Laura! As it is a shady site and quite damp, I would recommend a fair bit of grit to aid drainage. You can buy bags from the garden centre. Chuck in some compost and manure and top soil if the existing soil isn't much good. If you pick up a handful of your soil and squeeze it in your hand, does it stick together? crumble? or just run through your fingers? sticky means clay crumbly means good 'runny' means sand. Most soil can be improved with compost and manure with a few handfuls of grit for good measure! Hostas will do well in part shady sites, but watch out for slugs edit - proportions? Just chuck it all in - very technical i know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted March 29, 2007 Author Share Posted March 29, 2007 edit - proportions? Just chuck it all in - very technical i know Hmmmm, could you be a BIT more specific please I realy am clueless I've chucked out all the stuff that was in there as it is mainly clay and so I want to start again with a good mix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 ok here goes - 3 bags of compost to 1/2 sand and 1/2 grit to 1 manure to 1 top soil should be a good mixture! Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted March 29, 2007 Author Share Posted March 29, 2007 Thats more like it - see, you CAN do it!!!!! Sounds a bit like a chemistry experiment but what the heck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 You could add more top soil and less compost but its more expensive. Try free cycle. C x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
