OT Fall planting

I've been researching this very thing as I'm redoing the back yard this fall. From what I've read, the gas main isn't a problem, and the water is only a problem if it's leaking (the roots will grow into a leaking water pipe). Of course, if the lines ever have to be replaced, the bushes will be in the way -- something to think about.

Wikipedia says the bone meal is providing phosphorus, so any slow-release fertilizer heavy in phosphorus should do the same. (Phosphorus is the second number on the label -- even the organic fertilizers are labeled this way at the nurseries near me.) Have you tested your soil to see what you need in the way of fertilizers?

I can't help with plants, but check with a livestock feed store for bone meal. Another we used to get orders for was blood meal.

Good to know! Both lines have been replaced within the last 10 years so I don't think I would run into a problem. Unless of course the Board of Public Utilities takes a notion to bury the electrical lines.

I have looked around the net a bit too. Most of the stuff I have looked at in the local shops is quick release, even fish meal (if I could find it) is quick. I did a search to find the nearest Agway (feed and farm store) and discovered they have reopened one that is quite close (yay!). I will check for bone meal there before I try and get creative.

Alas for me! I live on the side of a big old hill. Plus they widened the road, put in new sidewalks, and chopped down a bunch of old hardwoods in the bargin. As a result of this unfortunate combination my yard is mostly clay with just a thin layer of topsoil. Every year I add a bit more real dirt, and what I can find in organic matter at a decent price, wherever I am planting. One of the reasons I am doing a fair few shrubs is to try and keep some dirt out front, rather than watch it run down the hill.

I will speak to the cooperative extension people about testing. It's a good idea. I feel pretty safe about putting bonemeal in with my bulbs though. Bulbs are persnickity things that tend to eat a lot, and bone meal is a gentle nutrient.

NightMist

A thought about your hillside, Nightmist: perhaps it might be a good idea to plant, for example, one of the ground-hugging cotoneasters? They are robust (well, here they are, similar latitude? - 52+N) and evergreen. I have one on a slope that is anchored to it now - very difficult to weed under, of course! so make sure you're fairly clear of 'root progressing' types! Airborne seed types will be OK - it's impenetrable >g< They could be planted around the tall, deciduous shrubs that you are planning - but, beware, they do spread (don't mind pruning). . In message , NightMist writes snipped

Before you plant try to amend the soil (clay) with as much peat moss as you can stand to dig in. Where I live it is nothing but clay and it is horrible. When I planted out gardens this year I mixed in lots of peat moss and it really helps lighten up the clay quite a bit.

NightMist wrote:

When I bought my current house, my first clue was on my first trip to the hardware store -- huge displays of bags of amendments for clay soil. Uh oh!

It's just that these tall shrubs (both Buddleia and Lilac can easily grow to over 10 feet!) will not actually help to stabilise your sloping ground. Something strong *and* low will help prevent 'landslides' and soil erosion. If you are planting something bought already in a container, the soil level in the container should be the one used for planting. The hole can be dug larger, to leave room for filling with 'good stuff' if you haven't got good soil; but the top of the soil in the container should remain at the top of your soil level - or just a tiny bit below - but no great change.

(We have clay with virtually no topsoil at all! our 'garden' was the piece of land where they dug out the clay for the bricks to make the houses in the rest of the village!) . In message , NightMist writes

The butterfly bush is supposed to be an easy varietal that grows 6-8 feet. The fellow swore up and down that this is so. I'll make him do it again when I pick it up, and if he is wrong I'm gonna get him!

I am also putting in fairly deep rooted perrenials. I am sort of useing the bushes as centers for them. Working outside in as it were, I am hoping that the dirt stays in the middle more til I get to it. The exception is the bulbs. When they pulled the mature and healthy ELM (did you get that? Mature and Healthy Elm) out widening the road, they replaced it with a dwarf crabapple. It blooms madly in the spring, so I am surrounding it with spring bulbs. The butterfly bush and its attendents will go next to that lot, giving me summer flowers and finishing off that corner of the yard.

Out behind my house is what might be described as a short cliff with trees growing out of it. There is a big hole in the hill right there where they used to dig the clay for Potters Alley, there is a truck lot there now. Lovely white kaolin, we have often joked about taking it up and making our own dishes. DH tells me we might just as well being as I insist on digging holes and filling them with boughten dirt and stuff.

NightMist

Sounds lovely, Nightmist. I hope the nursery man is right!! I suppose the hybrids can be made smaller. I hope it all works out as you are planning. It will look lovely. And, what a coincidence that you have a clay pit too! . In message , NightMist writes

We started with one butterfly bush and now have 8---all volunteers from the original one. When we got it, no one said the thing would spread like that. I've dug up and re-planted most of them-now getting off-shoots from those Too bad we don't live closer-I could give you some. They smell wonderful. No wonder the butterflies and hummers like them. Gen

I did know that much, but I sure wish someone had told the previous owners. :)