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Author Topic: "Dirty Gravel"  (Read 2624 times)

Derry

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"Dirty Gravel"
« 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

art600

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Re: "Dirty Gravel"
« Reply #1 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.
Arthur Nicholls

Anything bulbous    North Kent

johnralphcarpenter

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Re: "Dirty Gravel"
« Reply #2 on: February 24, 2016, 08:44:14 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?
Ralph Carpenter near Ashford, Kent, UK. USDA Zone 8 (9 in a good year)

brianw

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Re: "Dirty Gravel"
« Reply #3 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.
Edge of Chiltern hills, 25 miles west of London, England

Derry

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Re: "Dirty Gravel"
« Reply #4 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

Maggi Young

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Re: "Dirty Gravel"
« Reply #5 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.
Margaret Young in Aberdeen, North East Scotland Zone 7 -ish!

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