I'm totally new to gardening, and my garden is in pretty rough shape with extremely hard soil that feels more like rock than dirt. I've planted jasmine, which I adore, but despite my efforts to care for it—such as digging a hole and adding compost—it has unfortunately perished after looking great until January. I recently discovered that jasmine doesn't handle the cold well, and I lost my last plant, which cost me £120. Now I've bought a cheaper one, but I'm scared of losing it too! Can anyone give me advice on improving my soil or any tips on how to plant and care for jasmine? I've also picked up some frost blankets. Any insights would be super appreciated!
3 Answers
It's important to make the planting hole much larger than needed—like, double the size! It gives the roots space to spread out and find nutrients and helps with drainage. Also, make sure you're adding mulch each year to maintain moisture and improvement. Hope this helps you keep that new jasmine thriving!
I totally get your struggle with bad soil! Mine's more builders' rubble than anything useful. It's been a challenging journey of digging and adding organic matter over the years, but I've seen results. Roses seem to thrive after wilting for a year—they push their roots through to the decent soil underneath and flourish! Good luck with your jasmine, and don’t lose hope!
Not all jasmine is created equal! The hardiness really depends on the variety you have. For example, Jasminium officinale is more resilient in the UK, but if you're running into tough winters, you might want to try Trachelospermum jasminoides instead. It's hardier and evergreen, although the scent isn't as strong. Some jasmine varieties can really struggle in colder temperatures, so that's worth considering!
Why make it twice as large, though? What’s the science behind that?