Re: Re:Clay soil ( was TB hardiness)
- Subject: Re: [iris-talk] Re:Clay soil ( was TB hardiness)
- From: l*
- Date: Thu, 13 Jun 02 07:29:37 -0600
>I think your clayish soil is causing you problems.
You're quite correct, Doreen. My clay has been a continuing source of
problems for the irises, and I amend it heavily with all sorts of things
to try to make it tolerable to the plants. I, too, have experienced
major rot problems in beds that were under-amended, in spite of the fact
that those clay beds were raised and drained quite well. I believe the
compaction of the clay soil causes as much or more trouble for the irises
as any drainage issue. Unfortunately, compaction will always be a
problem here, regardless of my soil type, because of the frequent deer
traffic over my iris beds. I just don't have the inclination or the
extra cash to erect deer fence around all my iris plantings. I keep
trying to find areas where the deer are less inclined to travel, but
there are none. They seek out cultivated areas and trample them with
glee.
However, the extraordinary TB losses in my beds this year were only
partially attributable to my clay soil. Even in the three beds where the
soil is fresher, lighter and not as badly trampled, almost every new
transplant from last year perished. That was the weather. Must have
been.
> My problems are compounded with the iris borer.
Mine, too! I do a very thorough garden clean-up before things warm up in
the spring, so I keep their numbers down to a minimum, but there are
always a few of the doggone things that manage to complete their life
cycle here. Hate 'em!
Laurie
-----------------
laurief@paulbunyan.net
http://www.geocities.com/lfandjg/
zone 3b northern MN - clay soil
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