I've been using the local soil so far which is highly regarded by the local vegetable farmers as a well-draining sandy loam. Very little clay. I have also had soil tests done revealing healthy mineral levels with the exception of Calcium and Sulfur. Healthy for growing vegetables that is. So I add Gypsum and it's all good... in the vegetable garden... during the warm, dry season.

Seems like Semps have different requirements and furthermore are perennial, having to deal with all four seasons. So far I think this soil has been more than adequate and I haven't had any issues even when I run the sprinklers or we have rain. But the Semp garden wasn't started until early July and things have been pretty dry and toasty this year. Constant cold and moisture are to be expected in a Pacific Northwest winter and spring.

Is good-draining soil enough? This soil is raised up about a foot with porous rock walls and will have no pooling during rain with the possible very temporary situation during a heavy downpour. But the soil will retain substantial moisture during cool rainy periods. The gravel in this picture is locally available and reasonably priced. Should I mulch with it? Should I tuck it under the Semps? Maybe just work it into the soil surface? Or forgo it altogether?



For the curious, that's S. Nico in the picture at the bottom left, with Amanda and the Rose Queen trying to squeeze into the picture. Ladies... please!
All courtesy of the good folks at Perennial Obsessions.

Beautiful semps you have there Tim, of course why wouldn't they be coming from PO. They have amazing plants.

I'm not sure about your Canby, OR soil, here in Dallas, OR we have a lot of clay. The fact that your beds are raise is a real bonus in this part of the country. I would definitely mulch with the gravel, under all the leaves and the bare ground. For us Oregonians we need to keep the leaves from laying on the wet winter soil.

If you pour a pitcher of water in one spot, how long does it take it to disapear? Try that with the soil already wet, if the pitcher of water disappears right away you should be good to go.

Looking forward to meeting you in person this coming Saturday in Rickreal.

We have no clay in the soil. In springtime I see the local farmers out with their tilling machines the very next day after considerable rain.

Mulch with the gravel, eh? I may do that but I'll have to mull it over for a while first. I do realize that it will help prevent mud splashing around during heavy rains.

What about organic matter in the soil? I had assumed (there I go again) that alpine plants growing amongst the rocks and such would not respond well to organic soil amendments and compost and such.

Correct about the organic matter, to much would be hard on them. The purpose of the mulch is to form a barrier between the leaves and the soil, especially here in the PNW with our very long rainy season.

Hmm, every semp I've ever seen for sale in a pot seems to have an organic soil mixture with some perlite tossed in. I guess that's a cheap and easy propagation medium.

Here's my first attempt at a gravel surface covering. I gotta say water zips right through it. I'm hoping it will minimize dirt splashing in a hard rain.
It does have a tidy appearance. It will only look better and better as the semps mature.

I'm guessing the semp chicks have a way of getting new roots down through gravel like this.

Way to go Tim, that looks amazing. They will love you for their new gravel blanket come rainy season. And yes the chicks will send roots down through the gravel.
See you tomorrow.

valleylynn said:Way to go Tim, that looks amazing. They will love you for their new gravel blanket come rainy season. And yes the chicks will send roots down through the gravel.
See you tomorrow.

Yes, see you in ... what?... Pickreall? Is that a real place?
Good thing I have a GPS.

I want to make sure you don't miss it. Here is a link. Can't wait to meet you in person.
http://www.salemhardyplantsoci...

I did attend the plant sale and I'm glad I did. I got to meet and chat with several of the ATP semp lovers. Great meeting y'all!
I also got hosted for the afternoon at Lynn's house. I got to pet the dogs, relax in the shade, drink the ice tea, read the semp books and run off with a boat load of semps that I could until today only see in pictures.


And of course all the semps brought home were immediately given new homes.



Oh... one more thing Lynn. I have a bag marked 'Dazzler', is that 'Purple Dazzler'? I can't find anything named just 'Dazzler'.

I was pretty sure that you would not be leaving Lynn's empty handed. She has such a wonderful, well cared for collection.

It was nice meeting you today.

Tim, it is 'Purple Dazzler'.
Wow, you don't waste time. They are all planted and ready to take off growing. And rain is suppose to arrive Wed. What a great way for them to get going. Now the wait for the color show next spring.

Connie it was so good to see you again. We really do have to meet up more often. And what an amazing great time gathering with Bev, Jim, Kevin, Cynda, Dave, Tim, Jo Ann, Connie, and me and Cliff. We even got a group photo, taken in the Perennial Obsessions sale booth.
What a great group.

The photo turned out great! But why does it look like I have a feather growing out of the back of my head?

Yeah, Connie! ?? Look at the photo again and note that Cynda and I noticed it too as the camera was clicked...

Your an Indian princess?

And here is Dave, he showed up later so was not in the first photo. Cheers Dave.

Yeah I did notice a couple of you sneaking a peak at me. On second glance I'm not the only with strange stuff on the back of my head. Just goes to show all the fun that can be had taking photos at a plant sale.

You're right, Connie. Cynda's headpiece was crazier than yours...
Photo of Dave?

Opps, I forgot to add Dave's photo.

So glad you all met up!! Hooray - can't wait for the next clinic!

Looks like a fun event. Nice to see all your happy faces. Greg, looking forward to the clinic to see all you guys and gals.