Planting in Tufa is Easy

Pot-grown stock should have most of the soil shaken or washed from the roots. The tufa debris from the holes should be mixed with twice its bulk of potting soil for working around roots after inserting. On completion of a satisfactory hole, the plant is then made ready for insertion with the help of a slim fern trowel or a piece of folded card which will act as a carrier.

Before the card or trowel is withdrawn, the first of the tufa/soil plantingmixture can be trickled into the hole. Tamp down the filling with the blunt end of a pencil or twig, taking care not to tear the roots. When the holes will not accept any more of the filling mixture, the whole rock should be well watered. This usually causes some settlement of the filling. A little more of the tufa/soil mixture is then needed to top-up the holes.

In shady or damp areas bury approximately 20 percent of the tufa rock and in dry areas, bury 50 percent in the earth. The tufa will act like a sponge, drawing moisture upwards from the ground. For a few weeks, the newly inserted plants will require regular watering. Once they have adapted, regulate watering to when surrounding plants are in need. In no time the roots will be off exploring the labyrinth of holes. Occasionally, lost roots will resurface, giving the tufa an appearance of sprouting hair. This is just another unique characteristic of tufa.

Besides actually growing plants in tufa, in can be one of the most attractive materials for landscaping a flower garden or lawn. Climbing plants love living beside a tufa rock. Because of the tufa's porous nature and rough surface, the plant is able to hang on very easily.

To make the most out of limited space, or to add new dimensions to your garden or lawn, you can do anything, from constructing a giant free-standing tufa wall, laying out a few flat dense pieces for foot paths or just scattering a few small pieces about. However it is used, tufa will delight and impress. Tufa borders are easy to construct by shaping and fitting the rocks together.

Creating a crevice garden is one of the easiest ways to construct a tufa garden. Embed the flatter tufa rocks on edge vertically or horizontally in the soil, creating small crevices that the plant roots can draw their nutrients and moisture from. Crevice landscaping insures proper drainage when the garden receives too much moisture and is a excellent way to keep all your plants separated.