Sir Jeans Posted April 4, 2012 Been wanting to do this for a while, but never had a piece of land until now. I'm thinking about covering it in white gravel, but I'm a little concerned that it might promote rot during the winter. Any thoughts? Couldn't help uploading a picture of this as well - best cactus EVER! Got it from a nursery near by: 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
qualia Posted April 4, 2012 nice one. i personally like the rustic look of bare dirt, more natural looking like. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Foo Posted April 4, 2012 Nice garden and nice Myrtillocactu Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alice Posted April 4, 2012 Sweet garden mate I've never had any issues with pebbles, if anything they can sometimes help dry out the ground as they get so freaking hot in the sun. Plus makes it easier to weed I reckon. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
random Posted April 4, 2012 Looks cool, I reckon white gravel is a bit scary looking, theres nice brown earthy coloured gravel alternatives that might look better IMO I like the earthy look too but weeding might be a pain in the butt (literally if you bend over into a cactus!) I like how you've not lined them all up, ocd fashion. Looks good! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mud Posted April 4, 2012 While its on topic, whats the best preparation for an outdoor garden? soil mix, etc? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Jeans Posted April 4, 2012 I like how you've not lined them all up, ocd fashion. Looks good! Yeah, I wanted it to look at least halfway natural! There are two main reasons why I want to put some ground cover down. First, I can use it to hold down some material that will stop weeds coming through. And second, I want the cactus garden to stand out against the fairly crappy looking rest of the garden. I'll consider some darker or more natural alternatives to the white gravel. To prepare the ground, I just dug about 5 big bags of cheap potting mix into it. Doing this made much less of a difference than I thought it would, but hopefully it improved the very sandy soil a little. The other thing I did was to raise the level a bit. If you look carefully, you may notice that the whole cactus garden is on a bit of a hump. I'm thinking this will help a lot with drainage, and ensure that there is never any standing water near the plants. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chef's Foreskin Posted April 6, 2012 That's such a tidy looking garden! So neat and organised Plus that bottom picture is a cool looking cactus. I will be planning something like this in the future but I keep most of my babies in pots so I can control most things but thats just my OCD hehe Anywho good job! RF Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mutant Posted April 8, 2012 Awesome project, everyone should be making such compositions. Be sure to update from time to time, huh? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vual Posted April 9, 2012 I agree with alice white pebbles have never effected any of my pots i have even glued them down before and had pups break threw. And in regards to weeding nothing is worse then having to get the tweezers out and weed around spikes!!!... I vote the pebbles. also for soil mix if anyone is planing to do it in the future maybe adding some sand to the cheap potting mix and mixing it into a soil bed would be better, where i am my dirt is basicly all clay it would be very bad for cactus one would really have to consider there dirt. What about a organic raised bed for cactus? maybe to rich.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chef's Foreskin Posted April 14, 2012 Is that your's Therefore? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mutant Posted April 14, 2012 ^^ no its a book awesome composition! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chef's Foreskin Posted April 14, 2012 hahaha shame on me! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RyanVolle Posted April 15, 2012 Hey congratulations! must be hard work but I bet there's more reward than work right? :D beauty of gardening... i wish i had a lot as big is yours i wanna go to australia OwO Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hellonasty Posted April 17, 2012 Nice garden. I really like the Marginatocereus Marginatus, great looking fat columnar, is that a cutting ? HN Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
