1. IMPORTANT - NEW & EXISTING MEMBERS

    E-MAIL SERVER ISSUES

    We are currently experiencing issues with our outgoing email server, therefore EXISTING members will not be getting any alert emails, and NEW/PROSPECTIVE members will not receive the email they need to confirm their account. This matter has been escalated, however the technician responsible is currently on annual leave.For assistance, in the first instance, please PM any/all of the admin team (if you can), alternatively please send an email to:

    [email protected]

    We will endeavour to help as quickly as we can.
    Dismiss Notice

Help please clever gardeners

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by callyomally, Sep 3, 2005.

  1. callyomally

    callyomally Apprentice Gardener

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2005
    Messages:
    7
    Ratings:
    +0
    Come on now I know there are some clever gardeners out there just dying to show off your knowledge. My soil is no good due to years of cat wee. What can I do?
     
    callyomally, Sep 3, 2005
    #1 Quote in Conversation
  2. Marley Farley

    Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    Messages:
    30,589
    Occupation:
    Grandmother Gardener Councillor Homemaker
    Location:
    Under the Edge Zone 8b
    Ratings:
    +14,125
    [​IMG] Hi callyomally,
    I think I would start by going to the garden centre & get a soil ph test kit & find out what the ph is & treat apropriately & dig in plenty of organic matter. Also you don't say what sort of soil you have as that could make a difference too. What sort of things do you want to plant?
    Hope that is some help, I'm sure someone will come along with more ideas. [​IMG]

    [ 03. September 2005, 06:15 PM: Message edited by: Marley Farley ]
     
    Marley Farley, Sep 3, 2005
    #2 Quote in Conversation
  3. Fran

    Fran Gardener

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2005
    Messages:
    3,338
    Ratings:
    +3
    I am slightly confused by this message. [​IMG] Are we talking about a cattery site - cos otherwise cats visiting a garden is tough on newly planted areas due to scratching up, and unpleasant for the gardener - is not usually a problem for a garden or its plants.

    If you are talking about a site that has had concentrated cat urine disposed of for years - then that is a whole different ball game.
     
    Fran, Sep 3, 2005
    #3 Quote in Conversation
  4. callyomally

    callyomally Apprentice Gardener

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2005
    Messages:
    7
    Ratings:
    +0
    Yes it is a site that my cat has urinated on for 19 years. She has now left us.
     
    callyomally, Sep 3, 2005
    #4 Quote in Conversation
  5. callyomally

    callyomally Apprentice Gardener

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2005
    Messages:
    7
    Ratings:
    +0
    Thanks Marley Farley. The soil is very very dry and sandy. I want to plant some shrubs and perennials.
     
    callyomally, Sep 3, 2005
    #5 Quote in Conversation
  6. sam k

    sam k Gardener

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2005
    Messages:
    50
    Ratings:
    +0
    if it is a small area I would remove some of the soil and then dig in some soil conditioner and a good amount of mushroom compost, it has worked wonders in my garden, although I did not have to contend with cat urine.
    hope this helps a little
     
    sam k, Sep 3, 2005
    #6 Quote in Conversation
  7. Marley Farley

    Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    Messages:
    30,589
    Occupation:
    Grandmother Gardener Councillor Homemaker
    Location:
    Under the Edge Zone 8b
    Ratings:
    +14,125
    [​IMG] If it is dry & sandy then I would definately start digging in as much organiccompost as soon as possible then keep digging it over durng the winter then plant in spring where possible then again next autumn.
    Hope that is some help. Is it a very big patch?? [​IMG]
     
    Marley Farley, Sep 3, 2005
    #7 Quote in Conversation
  8. callyomally

    callyomally Apprentice Gardener

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2005
    Messages:
    7
    Ratings:
    +0
    No its not a very big patch.
     
    callyomally, Sep 3, 2005
    #8 Quote in Conversation
  9. Marley Farley

    Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    Messages:
    30,589
    Occupation:
    Grandmother Gardener Councillor Homemaker
    Location:
    Under the Edge Zone 8b
    Ratings:
    +14,125
    [​IMG] If it's not a big patch I would dig in plenty of organic matter, maybe some extra soil from elsewhere in the garden or buy a bag of top soil then keep digging it over periodically till well mixed. If you have any ashes you could sprinkle a light layer over the top, & dig in as well. Then plant in the autumn. That's what I did in a similar situation anyway.
    Hope it helps. [​IMG]
     
    Marley Farley, Sep 4, 2005
    #9 Quote in Conversation
  10. Fran

    Fran Gardener

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2005
    Messages:
    3,338
    Ratings:
    +3
    Sorry to hear you've lost your cat - having had two, I know what that feels like. I'd go with Sam and Marley's advise - remove some of the top lay, and apply as much organic material, especially compost as possible.
     
    Fran, Sep 4, 2005
    #10 Quote in Conversation
  11. Marley Farley

    Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    Messages:
    30,589
    Occupation:
    Grandmother Gardener Councillor Homemaker
    Location:
    Under the Edge Zone 8b
    Ratings:
    +14,125
    [​IMG] Oh, callyomally, where are my manners. [​IMG] Please accept sincere condolences over the loss of your cat, you must miss it terribly. I do know what a loss they can be. Mine lived until 21, now lies under a small tree planted in his favourite spot in the garden. Dig away & plant something that reminds you of your cat somewhere there. [​IMG]
     
    Marley Farley, Sep 4, 2005
    #11 Quote in Conversation
  12. callyomally

    callyomally Apprentice Gardener

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2005
    Messages:
    7
    Ratings:
    +0
    Yes I do miss her terribly Marley Farley. She is buried in the garden and I want to plant something nice next to her. I have ordered some shrubs and want to make the soil better before I plant them. I am getting some callicarpa, a calico bush and a pascalli rose. Notice the connection. My cats name was Calico (cally for short). The common name for callicarpa is beauty berry and the calico bush is also known as the beauty bush. Well she was a little beauty and she lived to be 19. (I thought all you gardeners would hate cats!)
     
    callyomally, Sep 5, 2005
    #12 Quote in Conversation
  13. Marley Farley

    Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    Messages:
    30,589
    Occupation:
    Grandmother Gardener Councillor Homemaker
    Location:
    Under the Edge Zone 8b
    Ratings:
    +14,125
    [​IMG] Hi,
    So glad you have her home with you. I think that is so nice, finding the connection with the plants & Calico, I think thay will look wonderful. [​IMG]
    Then if I was you I would start your digging as soon as possible to open up the soil & dig in any compost etc as I said before. The weather can get at it then & together should give you something 1/2 decent for planting into. Also gives you time to think of her too. Hope it goes ok. [​IMG]
     
    Marley Farley, Sep 5, 2005
    #13 Quote in Conversation
Loading...
Similar Threads - Help please clever
  1. AnniD

    Solved Help with id of this weed (?) please

    AnniD, Apr 24, 2024 at 11:23 AM, in forum: Identification Area
    Replies:
    9
    Views:
    249
    AnniD
    Apr 24, 2024 at 9:00 PM
  2. earlydaze

    Naming the enemy- ID help please

    earlydaze, Mar 30, 2024, in forum: Identification Area
    Replies:
    14
    Views:
    394
    JennyJB
    Mar 31, 2024
  3. Mrs. B.

    Feeders help please.

    Mrs. B., Mar 24, 2024, in forum: Wildlife Corner
    Replies:
    17
    Views:
    397
    Mrs. B.
    Mar 26, 2024
  4. Flumpy

    ID and help please

    Flumpy, Mar 20, 2024, in forum: Roses
    Replies:
    15
    Views:
    570
    katecat58
    Mar 20, 2024
  5. Katherine

    Acer bug - please help identify

    Katherine, Mar 13, 2024, in forum: How To ..........
    Replies:
    3
    Views:
    289
    fairygirl
    Mar 13, 2024

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Accept Learn More...
    Dismiss Notice