Amending soil around a tree (and bushes)

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grrrlgeek Grayslake, IL(Zone 5a) Mar 11, 2009

We've got clay with no topsoil. The area in front of our townhouse needs work, but there's a linden tree smack dab in the middle, and some shrubs I may or may not remove or move. When the builders planted, they just dug holes the size of root balls and stuck the plants in (as I found when digging around) so the tree and shrubs would probably be happy with a little air and water getting to the roots. The pic shows the area in August 2007 (before all the poor little columbines died :~( The area is surround by asphalt and concrete, so I was thinking I may have to actually remove some dirt to add amendments, or at least relocate it until things sink back down. How close/deeply can I dig around the tree and/or bushes? Are there any amendments in particular I should avoid around them?

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Smokey_SC Piedmont, SC(Zone 7b) Mar 12, 2009

I wouldn't go any closer to the tree than the plants are now. I have clay soil. I use compost bought from Walmart, peat moss and crushed up leaves to plant everything. You can just buy potting soil if you want. I always dig out the clay soil and replace with my mix. I rarely ever re-use the clay soil. That is just what I like to do. You could put a bird bath or a statue or something closer to the tree. I would add mulch after planting. I hope this helps. Smokey

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grrrlgeek Grayslake, IL(Zone 5a) Mar 13, 2009

Thanks for your help, I'll probably direct seed some flowers that will do ok in the clay near the tree. That shouldn't bother it too much.

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Smokey_SC Piedmont, SC(Zone 7b) Mar 13, 2009

Please post a pic later so we can see how it looks. Luck

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missingrosie Hillsborough, NC(Zone 7b) Mar 14, 2009

you could do what smokey does with the compost etc., even if you don't dig out and discard the clay..over time you would have better soil to plant in if your existing shrubs don't do well. I know this doesn't address your original thought that you need to get some air etc. to the existing plants but you can take some steps to do as much as you can at this point in time.

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