Topping up Soil Level in a Herbaceous Border

Hello all

I Hope you are Well.

A possible Stupid Question incoming

My Garden was initially Planted in 2019, since then the Soil Level in the Borders has dropped an average 1.5" to 2" throughout the Garden.

The Planting is mostly Herbaceous with a structure of Shrubs.

Is it possible, or even advisable, to wait until all of the Herbaceous Plants have Died back and then cover the Border with new Soil to Top Up the Levels?

Come the Next Spring, will the Herbaceous Plants push through the New Soil?

If the above is not a Good Plan which is most likely, any Tips would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Kevin

 

Would suggest that you mulch between the plants in the autumn with a soil improver/greenwaste compost( or your garden compost heap) Add ,say , 20mm per year after weeding. This will get spread by foraging birds and be pulled below ground by the worms.

 

Hello @infradig

Thanks for the Reply.

Unfortunately, I do not have a Compost Heap as no space

I have done a Quick Search for Soil Improver but can only really find Bulk Bags which is not ideal, for me, due to my Health.

Do you happen to know of anywhere that Sells Soil Improver in 25l Bags which would be more manageable?

Thanks in advance

Kevin

 

Try asking at the local waste recycling depot, usually £3-4 bag. They would load for you too ?

 

Apart from the drop in soil level, are your plants still growing well and not showing signs of nutrient deficiency ?
I think you can buy Top Soil and Farmyard manure in 25 lt bags which you could mix and use on your borders if you can manage that weight.
Suggest that you be careful about buying from a recycling depot as it isn't always that good ( the quality will depend not only on what people put in the Green skips but also that it isn't always "composted" correctly before being offered for sale.

 

Garden soils do drop a little every year and typically continue to do so for many years.

Places like Wickes sell and deliver Top Soil in 25 ltr bags for £4, though plus a delivery charge and perhaps (?) a minimum order value, so it could be an expensive exercise.
They will probably only drop it off to the top of your driveway etc, so its always worth asking if, off the record, they could take it round the back for tip of £5 or so ?

As for FarmYard Manure they seem only available in 50 ltr bags so probably too heavy for you to handle.

Think one of these two ways might be better for you,

Just order 25ltr bags of TopSoil and when speading rake in the right amount of something like Fish, Blood and Bone which is a great long term fertiiser.

The other way would be to get a local gardener you may know/trust to buy large bags of both products locally and deliver it into your back garden and splitting it into smaller bags so your can later spead it how you like.

As for waiting to Autumn before speading it on the beds, you can do it anytime of the year, the only thing to avoid is pushing the soil or manure up against the stem of existing plants, put it all around but leave a 6" circle clear around the stems / trunks as a safety measure to avoid any possiblity of rotting the stem of any delicate plants. By next Spring it will all become almost one level anyway and the plants will come up as normal.

 

Hello all

Thanks for the Replies, it is appreciated.

Kevin

 

Just a footnote, always try a small bag etc of the Topsoil you are looking to buy as some can be quiet poor, being little more than sand with some darker coloured muck .

A possilbe alternative way to get a larger volume of top soil, would be to have a 1 tonne bag dropped onto your front drive (?) and then buy or hire a lightweight wheel barrow so you can move smaller volumes of soil around with minimal effort.