Ask Categories: Soil & Soil Amendments

Overwintering Soil Amendments*

As I was assessing my collection of winter ice melters, and salt, I noticed I have some fertilizer left. I have 25 litres of compost, as well as 5 litres of promix and a couple of litres of potting mix.…

Mulch Placed Around Trees*

I see increasing evidence of volcano type mounds of mulch being placed around tree of all sizes and ages. I would appreciate having your opinion on the subject.…

High Soil Analyses Readings, Poorer Yields*

We have a vegetable garden which was started in 2010. The soil is very shallow, shale bedrock only 4 or 5 inches below. We made raised beds with good organic loam, 10 inches and have added large amounts of composted…

Edible Plants grown around creosote-treated hydro pole *

I have butternut squash vines growing right up against a wood hydro pole that has been treated with creosote. The plants have done extremely well and there are about 6 ripe squash ready to pick. Are these edible even though…

Raised bed garden infiltrated by roots from a maple *

Hi. New raised bed built this year. 8’by4′ about 8 to 10 hours of sun. filled with triple mix, manure and compost. built to avoid maple roots. Built on older vegetable garden. Removed plants today and tried to dig, only…

Soil testing / nutrient deficiencies *

Can you recommend a service for soil testing that includes micronutrients? I have a garden in Riverdale which was designed by a former owner of the house. In spite of loading it up with new soil and compost this year,…

Planting a Copper Beech Tree*

I planted a Copper Beech purchased at a local nursery two weeks ago. I have planted hundreds of trees, so I have some experience digging holes , adding triple mix to the soil, and planting. This tree seemed fine until…

Planting Lantana Standards*

I have purchased new planters with a water reservoir system(Mayne brand). YouTube has suggestions for filling the cavity with a first layer of chunky pine bark mulch, then potting soil, lastly more pine bark mulch. My Lantanas will be living…

Front Garden*

I live in The Beaches area of Toronto in an east facing property. I am looking for suitable plants for the front bed, and a fast growing evergreen hedge between myself and my neighbour’s property. I am also considering putting…

Planting a tree – soil testing*

I am thinking to plant a tree in my yard, but don’t know what I should plant. So I would like to test my soil in order to know what tree the soil is best for. So would you let…