Phew! A Scented Garden

(page 2)

The sewage sludge has been very effective because it releases nitrogen into the soil for months, but we have also noted several additional benefits: the soil warms more quickly because it is darker in colour and lighter in weight; water evaporates at a slower rate; earthworms are abundant; the soil is softer and less sticky because of the sands use to filter the sludge.

We now use the sludge every year for all our thirty palm species. When we plant new palm tree we put 1 to 3 barrowfulls into the hole (I dig large holes) and add Potassic soria (0. 10. 20). Then in early March and October we add one half to one barrowful mixed with weeds in the earth. When the soil is warm, from May to September, I add two handfuls of complete fertilizer: (15. 5. 20. 2).

If you are visiting the Perpignan area, you are welcome to come and see how we grow gorgeous palms in an arid landscape. Then you can be the judge: striking oasis or "stinky " garden ?

Since I have written about my Stinky garden, I have learnt that some palms have another charm: their flowers are fragrant and sometimes attract bees. Roystoneas and some Sabals seem to have these characteristics. Do you know any palms that are hardy, fragrant and attractive to bees? Really, they would be great for my oasis and my bees!

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