Good soil preparation is essential with herbaceous borders, and for areas to be devoted in mixed borders to hardy perennial plants, as it is likely to be several years before the plants are lifted and divided. Therefore the opportunity should be taken to incorporate as much organic matter into the soil as possible during the [...]
There are two common types of soil; light and heavy. Light soil is light in weight, not light in colour and of a rather coarse texture with large particles – of sand chiefly – containing large air spaces which prevent them from packing tightly. Large air spaces assist with the free passage of water which [...]
How inappropriate and demeaning that, in certain parts of the English-speaking world, soil is known as “dirt”. First-rate gardens cannot exist without excellent soil. If yours is poor and infertile then it has to be improved. Drastic steps may be necessary, but first, since soils vary hugely in texture, structure and quality, it is vital [...]