Total overhaul question

8 years ago

I have a small circular area, about 20 ft across, which I have worked on for about 30 years. Due to some summers where I just did the bare minimum, I find I need to basically gut it and start over. The soil has reverted over time to the Pittsburgh concrete- like clay soil, no matter what I have tried to add over the years. I want to take everything out, pot it for a few days, then add a wide variety of soil supplements (manure, some sand, peat, etc. etc.) and stir it all together with my Mantis to get the soil back to a decent condition. I also need to weed out some plants that have become somewhat invasive.

My question is....when should I do this? In that plot I have: daffodils, allium, iris, peonies, traditional daises, bergamot (an invasive offender), hardy geraniums, a hosta here and there, baptiste, echinacea, hardy geranium, a small back eyed susan (another one of the invasive ones), salvia, a heuchera or two, salvia, a bleeding heart ...and a few other things that escape me now in February.

I know I am going to pretty much lose the blooming garden this year...but should I do this until after the bulbs have bloomed - so I know where everything is? Or, wait until fall and just take my chances finding things?

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated!!

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Comments (5)

Christopher von Simson
8 years ago
So 5 weeks later did you make any decisions? Or maybe take some actions? These problems remind me of my own position a few years ago. I have made some solid progress. I'd be happy to share what I learned, but before we dive in, how are you situated these days?
fspence386
Original Author
8 years ago
Well, I really haven't found much to offer advise, tho' one place did recommend doing it in early Spring. My plan is to wait until the daffodils are done... those would be the hardest to find. At that point some of the basic growth from the other plants will have started so I will dig those out, pot everything up, go after the soil...and put everything back together. Any ideas are GREATLY appreciated!!
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Christopher von Simson
8 years ago
Well your plans are what I would suggest. If you do the work in sections possibly you might not need the pots stage: just plant into a “finished” section.
Might the area be raised? That could mean no need to till...
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
8 years ago
If it is too early to do any digging up now - and I would second spring as being the best time for this - then take some time now to plan out everything carefully as to how you want it to look and what other plants you might want to include. Get some graph paper and draw the area to scale (1/4" graph square equals one foot works well). Think about how the area looks in winter and if you should add small shrubs, dwarf conifers or other evergreens. Sketch in the other perennials you want to add back, using their mature sizes. Combine to spread out bloom season and colors. And divide existing plants as necessary so you aren't just planting one of this and one of those - multiple or drifts are always preferred.

When you dig everything up, just store them temporarily in plastic grocery bags until you are ready to replant. Most won't even skip a beat and will bloom this season on schedule. btw, neither the bergamot or BLS's are invasive - they just like to spread :-) But the are easily controlled if you like the look of them in flower
fspence386
Original Author
8 years ago
I think I can do it all together.... it's about a fifteen foot wide oblong/circle kinda shape, so it's not very large. A long weekend would take care of it as long I have everything ready. Raising it would be lot of work for me.. plus I would need a lot of dirt. And.... I really love using my Mantis....once it is working, nothing in the yard is off limits......