Life after conifers

Aug 08, 2011 4 Replies

Rate this thread:

nfr 14 years ago

I'm in the process of clearing the garrden of my new house of a number of conifers. They (Leylandii or similar) have been there a reasonable amount of time. I'd guess from what I know about the propery about 50 years. Trees are approx 30 - 40 ft tall. Trunks up to 18"

I want to initially plant grass where the conopy of the tree was, but imagine the soil is going to need some significant conditioning first.

I've raked away alot of the old decayed leaf matter but still lots of fiberous material.

Can anyone recommend what to add and how. I was thinking of rotovating farmyard manure in, if I can get through the hidden roots?

Thanks

Nick

Vote

LilAbner 14 years ago

Check with the Co Op or County Extension Agent for a soil analysis. Use to be something like 5.00. Probably going to need a good dose, of lime and certainly fertilizer. imo

Vote

willshak 14 years ago

nfr wrote the following:

The area under the conifers is probably loaded with acidic soil, you'll have to check the PH of the soil and add limestone if it is below 7 PH. (I don't really know, but I wonder if swimming pool PH+ (plus) additives would work?) Wait until the end of growing season to add the limestone so it has time to neutralize the soil before the next growing season.

Vote

Red 14 years ago

Unless you till it in, which would be hard with all the roots, lime only percolates thru the soil about 1" per year. I've found that for smaller areas it's faster to use 1 box of baking soda dissolved in 2-3 gallons of warm water.

Vote

Stubby 14 years ago

You could use actual lime rather than powdered limestone which is what most of the "lime" you see in the garden centers is. Limestone is not very useful -- its what we make monuments out of and they are not supposed to disolve.

Vote

Join the Discussion

Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.

Didn't find your answer?

Ask the community — no account required