RE: worms /soil building

I have a question regarding top-dressing with compost/manure.

Many plants are sensitive to how deeply they are planted (peonies, for
example).  I have an untested theory that one reason some plants have a
tough time on hill-sides is that erosion alters the delicate balance of
having just the right amount of dirt at the crown of the plant.

So my question:  Doesn't top-dressing kill some plants?  If not, why do we
worry about how deeply we plant?

Thanks.

Devon Miller
Chevy Chase, MD  20815
zone 7

-----Original Message-----
From: lowery@teamzeon.com [l*@teamzeon.com]
Sent: Thursday, April 15, 1999 2:54 PM
To: perennials@mallorn.com
Subject: worms /soil building






Valerie Lowery@ZEON
04/15/99 02:53 PM

I agree with Susan.  I don't own a tiller and because all of my beds are
jam-packed with plants, I don't see where I'd ever use it except to make a
new bed.  What I do, however, is top-dress my beds every year with manure
or bagged compost.  At the very least, I'll throw on some slow-release
fertilizer along with my shredded bark mulch.  I let the worms do their
thing as I'm too lazy to try and dig in all of that stuff.

I've also learned that it takes hard work to remove sod to make a new bed.
It is so easy just to do the layering thing that has been discussed.  Did
two beds like that and it's like magic.  If it can bust up red clay, then
it will work anywhere.  The worms, centipedes, and other assorted bugs love
the decomposing grass and newspapers.  I've also extended existing beds the
same way.  The hardest part is the long wait.  I do this layering thing in
the spring to plant the following spring.  All of the summer heat really
bakes the mixture and it gives the bed time to REALLY decompose.

I've tilled and I've layered.  Layering is the best.

Val in KY
zone 6a
(who is now thinking of another new bed...)


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