Hi there, do you need to de-compact soil around large established shrubs, or are they already established enough to look after themselves? If you do need to dig, is it worth doing now when the soil is dry and rock hard, or wait for the autumn as usual? There doesn't seem to be any problems at the mo with the plants. Any advice appreciated!
Compacted soil under trees and shrubs
- Thread starter MAJ
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I wouldn't bother, personally. I'd be concerned about inadvertently damaging the roots. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!
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Hey Becky Thanks for the Welcome and the advice. Yes, I was thinking the same thing really... Thank you!
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Gently apply sugar or better molasses about 1tbsp or 2 per gallon every 2 weeks.
??? How does that work?
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Bacteria eat the sugar. fungi eat bacteria. You grow a biomass basically. Both bacteria and fungi are capable of growing hyphae (root) and this will bring up moisture from deep in the soil. It all happens in the top few inches of soil where oxygen can be involved. You probably want to add amino acids (proteins) in the form of organic fertilizer or even soybean meal. The bugs make their bodies out of amino acids. Micro nutrients wont hurt either. The phrase "feed the soil" means basically anything you would eat except you eat too much salt.