General Discussion forum: Iris and the soil they grow in..
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| Good afternoon ladies, I notice that every year when I visit Iris 4 U, that Bob has different plots of ground that are covered up with a tarp. .. is he letting the soil recover from having iris growing year after year? Can I keep growing my iris in the same location every year, provided I fertlize? I know that farmers change their growing fields throughout the years and let some fields 'rest'. Is that the same for Iris? Thanks in advance for your advice. Naomi &:-) My dream business! http://www.frontrangeiris.com my blogs: http://www.naomimade-frontrangeiris.blogspot.com http://www.theiriswhisperer.blogspot.com |
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| 1. Irises will become over grown. To keep healthy, dig every 3 years take out dead rhizomes and replant. 2. Ground that is covered up is probably being solarized to try and kill weed seeds Have fun :) A |
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| Hi Anita thanks for reply! &:-) I know all about dividing, etc..but I can keep them in the same area, right? I've moved around so much, and I began to wonder, not that we're going to stay here for a few years.... as long as I fertilize, they should be fine, eh? &;-) I also wondered what the commercial Iris growers do. I never really thought about it until this afternoon...One of these days, when I have an acre or two of Irises, ( wish, wish, wish! ) How shall I tend my rows... &:-) I suppose I shall dig, divide, and add nutrients before I replant them all... It's going to happen someday... I had a dream the night before about hybridizing and having my own little seedlings! ha ha! My dream business! http://www.frontrangeiris.com my blogs: http://www.naomimade-frontrangeiris.blogspot.com http://www.theiriswhisperer.blogspot.com |
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| Some us us without iris farms must use the same ground. Definiately renew the soil. Compost helps. |
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| Thanks Lucy, &:-) My dream business! http://www.frontrangeiris.com my blogs: http://www.naomimade-frontrangeiris.blogspot.com http://www.theiriswhisperer.blogspot.com |
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| What I do in the commercial field is dig, divide, till, compost only where I am planting and not the walking row...and replant. Each field is done every other year. D |
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| I do similar to Dee, except our heavy clay soil is a bit devoid of organics, so I add a lot of compost, and some very well aged manure. but I also have an area right now being solarized. have always been told irises are like roses, heavy feeders, taking a lot out of soil. good to put something back before replanting. |
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| I rotate and always have areas with nothing in them, covered with tarps to kill the weeds. It works excellent. It's not something one would do in their home garden though. |
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| Good evening, Thank you very much for the advice ladies. Today the home garden... someday, the field of dreams! &:-) You're knowlegable words are very valuable to me. Thank you again for your advice, and time. Naomi &:-) My dream business! http://www.frontrangeiris.com my blogs: http://www.naomimade-frontrangeiris.blogspot.com http://www.theiriswhisperer.blogspot.com |
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| You're certainly welcome. Seriously, if you are going into business, and have the room, an area of ground covered with tarp is wonderful for next years divisions. We always amend first, then till the amendments in. of course the tilling sprouts the weeds, but putting the tarp over for the summer kills them all. There will still be weed seeds so when you transplant disturb the soil as little as you can. Get a good heavy tarp, and you can reuse it many years. I use fabric mats to run rows, and I mulch the beardless with straw, which has worked surpriseingly well, but you wouldn't do that for bearded, but I think the fabric mats would work fine. |
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| Hi Polly, I DREAM of going into business.. &:-) Someday.... so I'm trying to learn as much a I can so that when I can buy the land, I'll know best how to go about it... I've been growing Iris for more than 10 years... leaned alot from my Aunt and Uncle... Joined the local iris society last year, and AIS and HIPS this last month. So I've been asking questions and reading ALOT about what you ladies talk about.... and just digest what's involved... &:-) My dream business! http://www.frontrangeiris.com my blogs: http://www.naomimade-frontrangeiris.blogspot.com http://www.theiriswhisperer.blogspot.com |
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| Considering you're in Colorado Springs, I assume you want to go into business with bearded? You'll find a lot of great info here from Dee then. She's amazingly generous with giving info. And considering she's number 1 on Garden Watchdog for modern irises, I think she knows her stuff. |
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| Thank you Polly! I feel very humble as I know so many hybridizer being in OR that really and truly are my mentors. I have been blessed for them always sharing, giving of information and time. I have been blessed with great customers whom many have become personal friends. And blessed with all the wonderful people and friends from DG and now Cubits! Aren't gardeners and flower people the best! D |
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| We sure are. |
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| Thank you Polly, I can't wait to meet her in person.. &:-) D, we will be in OR the weekend of May 21,22. yay! My dream business! http://www.frontrangeiris.com my blogs: http://www.naomimade-frontrangeiris.blogspot.com http://www.theiriswhisperer.blogspot.com |
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