in need of repair

EmmaKav · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 15 May 2009 Posts: 10

Hi all I'm new to this forum & gardening. I have recently inherited a large unrulely garden with our new house and i'm dying to get stuck in. One problem area though is a patch at the back which has been fenced off and obviously been used by the pervious owner to burn rubbish etc. How can I get this area back to full health ??!!
It would be the perfect spot to have a veg plot as I have three large dogs and it is already fenced off but I am seriously concerned as there was obviously plastic etc burnt in the area.
Any help would be greatly appreciated

michael brenock · Posted: Fri May 15, 2009 6:46 pm Post subject:

just dig it up after clearing back the debris. dig deep as much as 12 inches and if weeds grow there then vegetables will grow there. the soil may have been damaged by the heat of the fire but unlikely to be harmed by the residues of the fire.
give it a try and if weeds grow then veg will grow.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)

EmmaKav · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 15 May 2009 Posts: 10

thanks a million Michael I will let you know how it goes.

James Kilkelly · Posted: Sat May 16, 2009 11:52 am Post subject:

I might just add to Michaels advice about the deep digging to add peace of mind. And that is to as well as digging deep you should seriously think about growing your veg in raised beds.

This is normally a solution to poor quality or shallow soil but may be of use to you if you fear toxic soil.
Simply put, the raised bed is a mound of quality soil, contained or uncontained, which offers you the opportunity to grow veg on even barren plots.

Raised beds make it easy to create a deep, fertile soil, allowing you to add to your existing soil or to bring in a totally new soil mix to fill the beds. Here's what other benefits raised bed gardening will offer you....

1/ Because of the beds high edging, grass and weeds cannot encroach from nearby open ground.

2/ Should you receive excess rain, the water will drain from raised beds much quicker than that, which fell on the lower ground.

3/ Raised beds are easy to care for, even where wheelchair users are concerned, as they minimise bending.

As I said earlier, the beds can be contained or uncontained; personally, I find that raised beds are easier to maintain when they are contained within a solid edging material.

The materials to build your raised beds can be as simple or as elaborate as you like, anything from rough wood off-cuts to decorative bricks.