Nestor Houbidis

R Scott wrote:Yes, basically packed soil. With extra lime in the top 4” or so to firm it up a bit when wet. You can mix in the lime with a tiller or a shovel/fork if you are up to the work. Level it really well with a rake, nice crown with no low spots to puddle, then tamp it a little-enough to keep it together but not a full brick. Getting the grade right is the most important part.

thank you! i will do research on it!
Is there a reason to worry about lime altering the pH around the tree?

R Scott wrote:It isn’t a rock solid block, think of it like a hard packed path that doesn’t get muddy in the rain.  You can make it solid earthen colored concrete if you add enough cement and pack out like rammed earth, but you don’t have to.

oh i am sorry! i misunderstood!
Now this sounds actually interesting! could you please describe me in more detail how to do this? is this essentially just packed soil?

Thanks Scott. Unfortunately, this is not an option for me. I dont want to have a rock solid block

Thanks for the welcome and the quick replies!
The location is on Crete, Greece. So Mediterranean weather (summer up to 40 C but usually 30-35C no rain at all, winter 10-20 C never snow)
Thats exactly the reason why I am afraid to seal the surroundings of the tree. Even though, I have to admit that the tree is a massive 15m carob tree which I dont think needs a lot of water anyway and the root system must be extensive. Still, as the tree is the main Star of the house i dont want to risk it.
There will be only summer usage, but not heavy traffic.

I dont care so much of it doesnt look perfect, its meant to be for an old farm house anyway. But i wonder what happens to the soil if not sealed.

note: apparently Crete is zone 10 climate according to some maps i found online

Hi all,

I have some outdoor space with a big tree in the middle and I wanted to know if can I put earthen floor around it (leaving some space for the base of the tree).
My main questions are how feasible it is. I read the top oil usually applied is optional, is it this true also for outdoor (if at all) or will the rain eventually carry away (or down) the fine soil and reveal the gravel-foundation?

Thank you!