Topping up soil level

Mark-E

Hi,

We are looking to change a gravel board retainer at the front of our border with a stone effect wall.

This will mean that the soil level in the border is a fair bit lower than what it is now.

We have various plants and trees of  different sizes in the border. I was wondering if it is ok to top up the soil level around the trees (japanese cherry blossoms, dwarf apple trees) and plants (hydrangeas, rhododendrons, hellebores, ornimental poppy's) or if I should lift and re-bed.

Thanks,

Mark

Fairygirl

No - it'll cause damage. The best solution is a small barrier round the trees, and then move all the other shrubs etc. 

Mark-E

Great thanks for your help 👍

Fairygirl

The only thing is - some poppies can be difficult to move as they have a deep root, so just be aware of that.
Also - autumn is the best time to move shrubs - the autumn/winter weather makes it easier to establish them. A lot will depend on how big and established they already are. 

Mark-E

Thanks for the advice fairygirl.  Everything is fairly established. I have moved some of the poppies in the past. The larger tapped roots tend to die but a fair amount of the smaller ones survive.

Fairygirl

That's good then @Mark-E. Rhodos are fairly shallow rooting, so they're usually quite easy to move. 
Good luck with it.  

Mark-E

Thank you 😬

Nollie

Good advice from FG. I’ve put rings around existing trees when levelling out sloping ground and that worked fine. I created the rings with 10cm brown plastic border edging so they blended in with the soil. I have also used a brown plant pot tray with the middle cut out where there was less height difference, slit down the side so I could bend and slip it around, then stapled back together.

Remember that when you top up, try and mix in the new material with the old where you can without disturbing the roots of what’s left in-situ and put in more soil than you think you need as it will settle a fair bit. Replant after the topped up bed has had a few weeks to settle, ideally after heavy rainfall. Otherwise what you replant may still end up at the wrong height as the new soil/compost settles around them - I speak from experience there 😆 

Mark-E

Thanks for the advice Nollie, hopefully all will go well and the plants will survive 🤞