Can I remove these roots

Question

Hello, I am finally digging over a patch of garden for the first time in at least 15 years. It is surrounded by flowering privet on two sides with a greengage tree (approx 13 years old) in the centre of the area, which is approx 3m x 2m. There is also a forsythia about 18″ from the tree, which I cut right back most years.
It is very shady and over the years I have tried growing perennials, ferns, planted bulbs, just about everything but with no success. So I’ve decided to start from scratch with hosta’s, winter heath, hellebores & hardy geraniums etc. That’s why I’m digging it over, but finding theses roots, most of which look dead, every time I turn the fork over! So, do I dig them out and try planting round them, or can I remove them? It’s like digging through a mat!
Your advice will be much appreciated,
Regards
Julie Macdonald

Answer 1

Yes, you will definitely want to remove those. Since most are dead you might want to look into priming the soil with both wettable sulfur and dolomitic lime. These will kill off any fungal infection, and balance the pH of the soil back to where it needs to be. It will also provide calcium and magnesium for the new plants, as this is a very common deficiency in soil. The sulfur will kill microbes that may harm your new plants.

Here is an article for more information to prepping the soil: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/improving-garden-soil.htm

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