RE: thanks for ideas for sun-blasted parking strip et al.
- To: j*@shastalink.k12.ca.us, "''m*@ucdavis.edu ' '"
- Subject: RE: thanks for ideas for sun-blasted parking strip et al.
- From: J* S*
- Date: Fri, 13 Apr 2001 09:14:21 -0700 (PDT)
Julie:
You've touched on one of my pet peeves. And a
controversial one at that (this'll start a long
chain).
I'm a firm believer in "right plant, right place". I
think most everyone in this forum believes in the same
-- that's one of the primary reasons (if not THE
reason) folks here grow "Mediterranean-climate"
plants. They're climate "appropriate".
That principle also extends to soils.
I'm not sure what you mean by "cruddy subsoil". If,
in fact, you have something left over after ALL
topsoil has been removed and something that has
probably been compacted to a nearly-concrete density
by heavy machinery, then you do have a tough
situation. Not an impossible one, however.
Do not amend what you have nor remove and replace what
you have. They are only short-term answers and can
lead to problems down the road. Plus, it's a lot of
work.
Just about everything that the forum members have
recommended for your hot spot are adaptable to most
any soil and will do well even in hard, nearly sterile
soil. Their roots will fill the soil and make the
most of it. They will reach deeply and will become
more drought tolerant than if in amended soils.
Amending (or replacing) will create conditions ripe
for weeds and will cause watering issues in the
future.
Also, think about the fact that most plants,
especially the Mediterraneans that are naturally
drought tolerant, have roots that reach down 3 feet at
a minimum and usually as much as 10-20 feet. Even the
small critters. Do you plan to amend the soil that
deeply, or worse, replace that much soil?
Yes, your newly planted plants won't look as "vibrant"
nor shoot into new growth as readily as if they were
given a little amended soil. But that's the lying
tease of amended soils.
Joe Seals,
Santa Maria, California
(growing lusicous plants on dry river sand and some
construction waste)
--- Julie Nelson <jaknelson@shastalink.k12.ca.us>
wrote:
>
> Now to dig out the cruddy subsoil that is packed in
> the planting strip, and
> replace it with something conducive to life...
>
>
>
>
=====
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