soil for native pollinator garden? - Ask Extension
I live in Vergennes with clay soil. I dug out 6 inches of the existing soil with the intention of replacing it with "screened topsoil" from ...
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soil for native pollinator garden? #847386
Asked August 26, 2023, 1:37 PM EDT
I live in Vergennes with clay soil. I dug out 6 inches of the existing soil with the intention of replacing it with "screened topsoil" from Agway in Middlebury. I was told unamended plain soil is best for natives. Today I was told that lots of soil sold around here as topsoil is enriched with compost, mostly from dairy farms. I don't really know what Agway's soil consists of. The garden I'm doing is 13' X 9'. I plan to buy starts from Northeast Pollinator Plants in Milton. What would be the best "soil" to buy to make the garden as weed-free as possible?
Addison County Vermont
Expert Response
Hello Karen,
It's a wonderful idea you have. In fact, you are following the advice of a professor from the U of Delaware, Doug Tallamy, who writes extensively about the very thing that you are doing. He co-founded a website,
https://www.homegrownnationalpark.org
where he describes his project of increasing the amount of pollinator plants throughout the country and provides many resources. I include it for your knowledge and enjoyment.
You have a good start on your project by digging out the clay so you can provide a better foundation for your plantings. To your question about soil. You may want to shop around and ask questions. You are correct that you don't need enriched topsoil as pollinator plants don't need the nutrients so you may want to ask the vendors where they obtain their topsoil and what's in it. Another question you can ask is whether the soil is heat treated. I know you aren't asking about this but I do want to increase your awareness of Asian Jumping Worms which you definitely do not want in your plot or in your yard. Following is an article that will introduce you to this invasive pest and give you ideas as to how and why to avoid it.
https/http://www.uvm.edu/sites/default/files/Extension-Community-Horticulture/JWORM_Homeowner_Guide_-_Jumping_Worms-Accessible_Version_2021-2
So you would have two questions to ask directly to vendors, what is in their top soil and what awareness do they have about the jumping worms that may have left egg cases in their topsoil. Ideally they would have a source from a supplier that heat treats their product as this would kill any Jumping Worms or their egg cases. During this time of year Fairs and Field Days are a good way to gather lots of information from vendors. I notice that Addison County's has just passed but the Champlain Valley Fair is happening this week through Labor Day if you want to take advantage.
Finally, I've attached an article that doesn't directly describe your project because its focus is planting wild flowers by seed. It does describe in detail site management and managing weeds which are two of your concerns.
It's a wonderful idea you have. In fact, you are following the advice of a professor from the U of Delaware, Doug Tallamy, who writes extensively about the very thing that you are doing. He co-founded a website,
https://www.homegrownnationalpark.org
where he describes his project of increasing the amount of pollinator plants throughout the country and provides many resources. I include it for your knowledge and enjoyment.
You have a good start on your project by digging out the clay so you can provide a better foundation for your plantings. To your question about soil. You may want to shop around and ask questions. You are correct that you don't need enriched topsoil as pollinator plants don't need the nutrients so you may want to ask the vendors where they obtain their topsoil and what's in it. Another question you can ask is whether the soil is heat treated. I know you aren't asking about this but I do want to increase your awareness of Asian Jumping Worms which you definitely do not want in your plot or in your yard. Following is an article that will introduce you to this invasive pest and give you ideas as to how and why to avoid it.
https/http://www.uvm.edu/sites/default/files/Extension-Community-Horticulture/JWORM_Homeowner_Guide_-_Jumping_Worms-Accessible_Version_2021-2
So you would have two questions to ask directly to vendors, what is in their top soil and what awareness do they have about the jumping worms that may have left egg cases in their topsoil. Ideally they would have a source from a supplier that heat treats their product as this would kill any Jumping Worms or their egg cases. During this time of year Fairs and Field Days are a good way to gather lots of information from vendors. I notice that Addison County's has just passed but the Champlain Valley Fair is happening this week through Labor Day if you want to take advantage.
Finally, I've attached an article that doesn't directly describe your project because its focus is planting wild flowers by seed. It does describe in detail site management and managing weeds which are two of your concerns.
