Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

Cultivation => Composts => Topic started by: Derry on February 24, 2016, 08:39:26 PM

Title: "Dirty Gravel"
Post by: Derry on February 24, 2016, 08:39:26 PM

I remember someone experimenting many years ago with the best compost for alpines.  He eventually decided it was 90% grit and 10% gravel.  Can anyone remember who it was?  Think he was a famous alpine gardener in the 50s or 60s.  maybe Bill .....something?  He called it Dirty Gravel I think
Thanks for your help (if you can)
Derry

Title: Re: "Dirty Gravel"
Post by: art600 on February 24, 2016, 08:41:55 PM

David Mowle achieved fantastic results with deep gravel beds.  Shade lovers growing in full sunlight comes to mind.

Title: Re: "Dirty Gravel"
Post by: johnralphcarpenter on February 24, 2016, 08:44:14 PM

Quote from: Derry on February 24, 2016, 08:39:26 PM

I remember someone experimenting many years ago with the best compost for alpines.  He eventually decided it was 90% grit and 10% gravel.  Can anyone remember who it was?  Think he was a famous alpine gardener in the 50s or 60s.  maybe Bill .....something?  He called it Dirty Gravel I think
Thanks for your help (if you can)
Derry
Hi

Bill Sowerbutts, maybe?

Title: Re: "Dirty Gravel"
Post by: brianw on February 24, 2016, 10:44:23 PM

Could it have been Stuart Boothman. I think he had a nursery near Maidenhead around then, in a gravel pit area.

Title: Re: "Dirty Gravel"
Post by: Derry on February 26, 2016, 04:51:25 PM

Thanks all, but none of those ring a bell.  I think it was a real experiment with every possible proportion of compost and gravel to find the best

Title: Re: "Dirty Gravel"
Post by: Maggi Young on February 26, 2016, 05:15:16 PM

Various  articles over the years in both  SRGC and AGS journals about experiments with  different compost mixes - but none I could find with a 90/10  suggestion.