[nicklord1]

I thought  i would  write another thread basically my soil is pebbley and i want to clear out  some  bushes and weeds that have over taken  sections of the garden for veg and  flower planting.

Can someone give me a clear and basic step by step  guide of how one turns an awful uncared for stoney soil into a fertile soil.

Thank you

[gregmcalister]

First thing is to clear all the bushes/weeds etc so you have bare soil.

Then I would dig it over and remove the bigger stones by hand as you go along.

Then rake the surface which should allow you to gather up the smaller stones.  You can repeat the digging/raking to remove as much as you can.

Finally sieve the soil using a riddle to remove the smaller stones and roots.

Once you've done that you can incorporate loads of manure and compost to improve fertility and you'll have a perfect soil to grow things in.

A lot of hard work involved so it might be worth concentrating on a smaller bit at a time.

[noshed]

Have a look in the 'information' section (top left corner for link) there are some good articles there.
I would also get a ph tester and see whether it is acid or whatever.
Then basically dig in as much organic matter as you can - compost from your bin, rotted manure, old gro bags, anything like that. Your council might supply compost from their recycling.
Ideally you should double dig - dig the compost into a trench then fill the trench up - their are loads of books with diagrams about this.
Take out the biggest pebbles as you go - these will be handy for paths and things.
Was your plot cultivated before? If so it will be easier. If not, you might have quite shallow soil and you could think about raised beds.
I found it easier to divide my plot into 4' wide beds and dig one at a time but it's up to you.
Hope this helps

[nicklord1]

How do i test the PH .

What equipment do i need.

I aim to start in  mid september and hopefully a few months  hard graft will be able to give me a sizeable plot  to make use of hitherto weedsville land.

My garden is mostly shady is that a problem when it comes ot have a colourful and diverse range of plants and veg.

Thank you

[peapod]

some info on soil ph here
You can buy them from the usual garden centres....even the pound shop had em at one point

Shady veg is harder, hessayon has some good tips, but google and you will find a range that will grow...lettuces will grow in shade..marrow, courgettes and I believe beans too.

Paula

[nicklord1]

What about colourful  plants that will grow in the shade

[peapod]

What about colourful  plants that will grow in the shade

Im not a great one with flowery plants (apart from lillies) , I prefer veg!

Again, a google will do you, especially if you include the results of the ph when you do a test

Paula