Hi All, I need some help. I have bought my first house and the garden beds are gravel. These beds have gravel 20-30 cm thick so not easy to get to the soil base. I would like to plant conifers to create a hedge. Can I make a hole in the gravel (not going down to the soil base), and place the conifers in with the soil they came with. Thanks
Vern, I don't think your method of planting in gravel will work. As the plants grow, so do their root systems, and gravel isn't a natural medium for plants to set roots in. If you want a screen to define an area or to cut off an unlovely view, how about installing a long trellis and facing it with a raised bed filled with good garden soil. You could plant vines on the trellis, or any plant that doesn't have an extensive root system. I just did some math, and 30 cm. is a bit less than 12 inches. You don't have to remove the gravel, just shove it to one side, dig a hole in the underlying soil, and plant your hedge. The gravel can then be raked over and will act as mulch.
Also if you plant it just in the gravel the roots will be exposed to air, thus killing the plant. I think marlingardener has a good approach to your problem. Or remove all the gravel and add more soil accordingly, then plant your prefered plant/bush.
Hi @Vern only just saw your post..our gardens both front and back are gravelled with pea gravel and larger. Ours are also lined, so when a new plant goes in hubby cuts an hole in the lining a bit larger then the plant it self, digs all the dirt out and puts in a container, then multi purpose at the bottom and the plant is then put in below the level of the ground and the hole is then filled with multi purpose compost and soil besides and then the gravel is levelled...gravel is good for holding moisture plus we have acid soil here and our plants just seem to like the soil. You can see from this conifer which as been removed the goodness of it with the soil and gravel
