Amending the Soil

[Jo Green]

[align=left]In addition to soil with humus you may want to consider amending your soil with compost, leaves from the fall season, sphagnum moss which is commonly used in the floral industry,*and grass clippings provided they are from an untreated lawn.[/align]
[align=left]You may also want to consider natural mulches for reducing weeds around the plants.[/align]

[Newt]

Hi Jo,

The amendments you suggest are all wonderful but I've found that shredding the leaves with either a shredder or lawnmower helps them to break down more quickly.** With no disrespect meant, I do not agree with the use of sphagnum peat moss.** Peat moss has very little nutrient value, and once dry, is difficult to rewet.* Ever have a potted houseplant dry out and then water it, only to see the water sit on top of the soil for a long time?* Here's some helpful info about peat moss and why I don't recommend it in the garden.
http://www.gardening.cornell.edu/fac...rgmatter/#peat
http://www.wildlifetrust.org.uk/facts/peat.htm
http://www.kew.org/ksheets/peat.html#help

Newt