Heathers like a LEAN (read: low fertility!) soil. At best, in rich soil, they will grow leggy and ugly and probably will not flower.

I'm not sure I'd be quite so absolute on avoiding improved soils. As in deee's area, heathers are commonplace here and grow exceedingly well and most are planted in amended garden soils with moderate to high fertility. They thrive and bloom profusely. Legginess is typically avoided by proper placement with regards to light conditions and an annual shearing after flowering.

The benefit of adding manures to poor soils is to improve pore space and increase drainage. If you have heavy soils, the benefit of improving aeration and drainage far outweighs any drawbacks increased fertility or "rich" soils may impart.

Here is my two cents. First off I went to school in Arcata and College of the Redwoods, there I studied agriculture and soil science.

The soils where you live are poor and do not drain well (unless you are near the beach). It is true that you want to add organic matter to increase pore space in heavy soils, but for heath and heather you should add peat moss that has no real nutrient value. Peat moss will break down over time and will release acidity which these plants need. So hold off on the manure and save it for you veggie/flower garden. Good luck with your garden. Feel free to contact me at our nursery.

thanks for the replies...being the impusive gardener, i hauled in a few truck loads of manure and have spread it. i will add the peat later, maybe after i've added some leaves and "the etc" to compost over winter. the "dirt" really is bad now, but i'm hoping to have "soil" next year to plant in.

note to "rockspray"...do you remember regli saying "dirt is what is under your fingernails and what they show at XXX movies, soil is what you grow crops in". I took soils at CR too.... i looked at your website....wish i lived a little closer!

Good luck with your garden. I will never forget John Regli
or Burt Walker. Two of the best teachers in school or out of school I have ever had. How I miss Humbolt. Heather must grow great up there.

All I use in my flower beds is my own horse manure!! LOL I live in EAST TN and have nothing much but red rock clay. I brought some heather up from Fl and planted in nothing but aged manure under some trees with a variety of other plants. They have done wonderful. I just wish I had more as I loved them when I lived in FL.
Not sure if I can take a cutting and place in water to get roots. LOL

Layering or semi-hardwood cuttings are best. They take awhile to root, so be patient and dont let them dry out to much. The top of your fridge can act as a bottom heat supply, this will speed up rooting. have a great day.