09 April 14

[ranunculus]

The whole plot, including the house, is  about two-thirds of an acre, Margaret. It's closely planted

There are literally hundreds of rhododendrons-  and I forget the names of more of them every year!

Apologies, Maggi … you missed out two words!!!!   'It's closely AND BEAUTIFULLY planted'

[Maggi Young]

Thank you, Cliff. 

[Margaret]

Here, here, Cliff.  Those dwarf Rhododendrons are beautiful and have the added advantage of great foliage texture all year. Our garden is 500mm of good soil over builders rubble and so I've never been able to grow any acid loving shrubs much to my sorrow.

[annew]

I think I may have to come and live in your garden....at least until the daffs start up again. 

[Maggi Young]

I think I may have to come and live in your garden....at least until the daffs start up again. 

You're welcome so to do, Anne - we'll even let you sleep indoors - but honestly- wouldn't you rather go to Fermi's in Oz to catch his  daff season ?

[annew]

Hadn't thought of that!

[Mavers]

What pH is your soil Maggi?

Everything seems to flourish.

[Maggi Young]

Good question, Mike - it's been a longtime since it was last tested and I don't remember exactly.    somewhere around 6  to  6.5 I think -  so on the acid side, but not very much so.
The underlying soil is a sandy loam and we have forty years of added mulch, composted bark etc which has undoubtedly made it a nice friable  mix to nourish the plants.

Remember that the things we have are flourishing because they're the things that are happiest here. Those which don't have either died out or been given away.

[Mavers]

Cheers Maggi.............6.0-6.5 & sandy loam eh?

Well I've done what I can with the basic soil in my garden which is a fertile but heavy loam, now double dug with lots of grit, sand, horse manure & composted bark. On top of that I'm gradually building up a good layer of woodland type soil with leafmould & composted bark..............I've got 6 years mulching under my belt just another 34 to go.

[Maggi Young]

Oh, yes- manure - I forgot to mention manure - there has been a goodly quantity of  well rotted horse and cow manure dug in over the years.