Hello everyone. I have a ? I hope you can help me with. I have a corner in the rear of the yard with a tree in it (not sure what kind), I'm a real newbie! The previous owners I think were trying to make this area a focal point in the yard. There are stepping stones all around it, some big rocks that I think were supposed to be edging the area and one pitiful looking hosta. The thing is I really want to expand this area and make a large shade/hosta garden, but the dirt is very hard and compact there. I went around and loosened a lot of it up but I've read that you shouldn't pile on the dirt around a tree or you will smother the roots?? Would it be ok to layer up some of the other things I see mentioned here on this forum, eg. compost, shredded leaves, grass clippings in order to ammend the soil without actually adding top soil to the area?
Thanks for all your help!
Jen
Compact soil
It is true that you can kill a tree by covering up its roots. Depending on the kind of tree, some will tolerate more soil added than others. I have mature maple trees. The best i've found so far is to dig out small sections underneath them, cut out the roots, refill with nice organic stuff, and plant right in it. The roots grow back in no time, but the plants (hosta, hellebores, astilbe, primrose, english ivy, vinca) seem to be holding their own. I water a lot because the trees steal all the moisture.
Thanks Sylvi. I'm going to take your advice as it seems after doing a little research that I have a sugar maple as well as two silver maples along with a pear tree in my back yard. I'm planting the shade garden under the sugar maple, wish me luck!
Jen
Good luck! What are you planting? Make sure to amend planting holes with good stuff like compost or topsoil. That will give the plants a good start.
Well the main thing I'm worried about at the moment is hostas. I ordered ten from the hosta co-op and its really rough out there finding a spot with no roots. I started a compost bin this year, but I don't think it will be ready before nest year. Besides top soil, what other organic matter would you recommend?
Thanks!
Jen
See if you can find a horse farm nearby. WELL ROTTED horse manure is great. Don't use fresh, because it will burn the plants. I bought a small mattock-kind of like an axe but for digging-and I am doing okay whacking holes in the roots under my trees. Did you just move in to your house? When we moved to ours, I thought they had left me a compost pile, but it turned out that they had buried an old swingset and some shingles and then dumped leaves on top to hide the whole thing! What a mess! I'm not above asking neighbors for some compost, and some cities sell it bagged from all the lawn waste they collect. Try calling your trash pickup company and asking them.
Oh geez, sounds like a mess! We did just move in our house this past November. Thanks for the advice. I may call the trash pickup and see what I can find out.
Thanks!
Jen