6 yrs, 5 mths ago

Gardening tips

Hi Beauties, I know that we have amazing combined beauty knowledge here on BH, but I am wondering if anyone here is known for their green fingers and could help out with some gardening advice. I am trying to establish a brand new garden (nothing there but weeds to begin with) and the soil is clay. I am finding that this clay soil business is proving a real challenge for the plants to thrive in.

For example, I’ve planted a row of pretty big pittosporums (about 1m in height) about 1-1.5 months ago and the leaves on some of them have started to turn yellow and fall, particularly from the middle of the tree going outward toward the branches. I did add good compost and soil to the holes before I planted them and have been watering them fairly regularly.

Any ideas on how to help out my poor pittosporums?

Or ideas for plants that do grow well in clay soil?

Thank you kindly in advance, beauties 🙂

13 comments 32 voices

Replies

  • 3 yrs, 10 mths ago

    Wow! There are a lot of useful tips!

  • 6 yrs, 5 mths ago

    Have you looked into composting?
    Not sure if that’s something that would work for you but it’s worked for our tomatoes.

  • 6 yrs, 5 mths ago

    I find that sprinkling a little bit of gypsum works amazing to help open up clay soils . ; )

    • 6 yrs, 5 mths ago

      Thanks for this tip! I just looked it up and I can get it easily from my Bunnings. I didn`t know they had this.

  • 6 yrs, 5 mths ago

    The best advice I can think of is to put a $10 plant in a $100 hole.
    After making sure the clay soil has been treated/improved so the plant has the best chance of thriving, you also have to consider mulching, soil wetter, fertiliser, good drainage, full sun or a shaded area, windy…?
    Also, research on line for the best time of year for planting certain species.
    Gardening can be very rewarding but also it sometimes frustrates the heck out of me.

    • 6 yrs, 5 mths ago

      That`s the problem right there, isn`t it – if the soil is bad then you end up spending so much more money on trying to improve it than on the plants themselves.

    • 6 yrs, 5 mths ago

      I`m a bit scared to ask what a $100 hole is.

      Is that like all those pro (fessional) makeup tips that actually make me look like a pro (stitute)?

  • 6 yrs, 5 mths ago

    Go to yates.com.au and talk to a Horticulturist online.

  • 6 yrs, 5 mths ago

    Great idea for a thread topic Belle! I love my garden so much. Not sure about your pittosporums. With regards to clay soils, I am finding that my Wilderness White Callistemon doesn’t mind the clay soil that I’ve planted 10 years ago. The bees & birds love to visit it’s white bottlebrush blooms. The clay that it is in stays damp most of the year. Some mallee gums don’t mind clay but need a few little waterings when it’s just planted though to get it started. For smaller plants I find the herb Feverfew to be tough and also don’t care if it’s a hot drought! It has nice grey foliage and can be cut back hard whenever. : )

    • 6 yrs, 5 mths ago

      Feverfew are very cute little daisies – they will fit nicely with my small flower theme. Thanks, great idea! 🙂

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