[mobilekat]

Heya

We moved in the winter and are currently trying to deal with a very neglected garden- having had to get a mini-digger in to shift the matted hell that was bamboo growing through anti-weed membrane I can now see the soil- bamboo is now a swear word in our house!

And the soil looks a tad sad- I think its been under the membrane for around 14 years, and the soil is pretty dead.
Its a sandy soil, with a good helping of stones, and looks OK, but there is no organic matter and no worms either. It does drain very well, but there is a strong air of neglect!

My thoughts were to get a bulk delivery of both new topsoil and compost to give it a good boost, and other than popping a couple of courgette plants in to have fun this year let it be over the summer, with maybe a crop of green manure too
My own compost bin is only small and young, so not enough to make a difference, so do need to buy in plenty more!

what do people think?

I should say the aim is to grow mostly veg and a herbs too, with the odd flower to keep the OH and the bees happy too!


Any suggestions, any ideas, and on the very off chance does anyone know of a supplier in Devon who can deliver dumpy bags over a 6 foot wall!!- I know thats a hard ask, but until you ask you never know!!!

[snowdrops]

Yes that sounds good but it might need digging or rotorvating first. Also farmyard manure would be good. Try to get in touch with local council to see if you can get a bulk delivery of council compost. I got 4 1/2  tons for £60 a few years back. You might not need topsoil,plus you're never sure of the quality unless you see it first or buy top class.

[Nobbie]

Do you have a Wickes nearby?

http://www.wickes.co.uk/search?text=topsoil&x=0&y=0

When they delivered some blocks recently, the crane seemed to have enough height to clear a six foot wall, although you might need to just slit the bag once it's over the wall as they may not be able to lower it to the ground.

[3759allen]

if you've got a year to wait before planting i would suggest seeing if anyone sells horse manure or similar cheap by the tonne.

if you don't mind the hard work and have a vehicle suitable look on gumtree and freecycle for pet/ horse/ poultry manure, and top soil.

turn in the organic matter as you go.

[Muls]

where abouts in South Devon are you ?

[mobilekat]

We are on the edge of Exeter

We have Rotavatored it (well actually borrowed a friends Husband and his father Rotavator!)

And then picked off lots of stones and roots, and rotavatored again, and picked more roots and stones (and repeat!)

I want to give it a big top dressing of manure in the autumn, and hopefully the worms will then work their magic!

We have rotavatored in some compost, and I think green manure will be a good thing to do for the rest of this season. The soil is so dead that no weeds have popped up since we shifted the membrane- which is good in many ways!

[3759allen]

any sort of organic would be beneficial, ideally worked in to speed up the composting affect.

i'm sure the worms and bacteria will come back pretty quick once there's something to feed on, incredible how they know.

[Goosegirl]

Waiting for a year is a good idea not only to get your soil in much better condition, but to see if there are any b****o roots remaining so you can get them out before planting.