My labrador leapt straight into the Canal Lake at Chatsworth ... embarrassing or what ... he was still on a lead and my then ten year old son nearly went in there with him
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
You have the makings of a good garden there given time and a bit of work.
I agree with all who have said it's best to rip out the brown conifers. They do not regrow from brown wood and, once weakened like that, become susceptible to illness form fungal and insect born bugs. You can replace it with a 6' high panel fence for immediate privacy and shelter and then use tensioned wires or trellis panels to grow climbers to make it more interesting or else plant small plants for a new hedge in front of it.
Whatever you decide, the soil will need to be dug over to remove any old roots and then beefed up with generous dollops of compost and well rotted manure to re-vitalise the soil. Planting small plants is generally quicker at producing results than larger plants. It sounds counter-intuitive but small plants establish more quickly and grow faster than larger plants which can take 2 to 3 years to settle before they grow away. Also, any that do fail are cheaper to replace and catch up faster too.
When you get around to trimming that conifer hedge on the left do it gently and in small steps and never cut back into brown wood. Keep the green. This will encourage it to thicken up and stay green and healthy, as will a scattering of pelleted chicken manure along the roots every spring.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
Unfortunately the one on the left isn't clever either. In fact it's worse than the one on the right.
The previous owners had a 10ft greenhouse placed infront of it and it had grown over it. That's also not salvageable 😕
Its a pretty big job will have to be Done In stages. Will keep the hedges for privacy during the summer and rip them all down in autum and erect a fence with some Thuja shrubs.
Unfortunately the one on the left isn't clever either. In fact it's worse than the one on the right.
The previous owners had a 10ft greenhouse placed infront of it and it had grown over it. That's also not salvageable 😕
Its a pretty big job will have to be Done In stages. Will keep the hedges for privacy during the summer and rip them all down in autum and erect a fence with some Thuja shrubs.
Beware, Thuja are trees, not shrubs and have much in common with Leylandii. I'd go for something less potentially huge, something you can relax with and not be afraid to leave untended if you're busy or anything happens to keep you away from the garden
I don't think there's anything that will grow densely and uniformly to 12ft and then stop. As with any hedge, you'll need to be able to trim the top regularly as well as the sides to keep it under control. A fence with some carefully-chosen ornamental shrubs/small trees in a border in front of it would be less work and give more variation through the year.
Normally, l would say, if you wanted a replacement conifer, thuja would be a choice, very similar looking. However, my advice has been kyboshed by JennyJ's good advice above ! You could maybe go for mixed shrubs and get a wildlife friendly selection, good for teaching your little one about birds etc. if you are so inclined. I know it's a big job, but l do envy you that big plot.
Think about practicalities too. How will you get up to trim the hedge at 12'? How will you reach the far side when it gains width. What impact will that have on the neighbours?
6'/2m are usually considered a reasonable height and manageable too.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
Yeah no problems there got the kit to do it no problem. 4 meter platform ladder and petrol 4 in 1 tool. Have got some good ideas off here now it's just what can I do with it.
Has to be around 12ft as have a 3 story house and my partner enjoys the privacy
Posts
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I agree with all who have said it's best to rip out the brown conifers. They do not regrow from brown wood and, once weakened like that, become susceptible to illness form fungal and insect born bugs. You can replace it with a 6' high panel fence for immediate privacy and shelter and then use tensioned wires or trellis panels to grow climbers to make it more interesting or else plant small plants for a new hedge in front of it.
Whatever you decide, the soil will need to be dug over to remove any old roots and then beefed up with generous dollops of compost and well rotted manure to re-vitalise the soil. Planting small plants is generally quicker at producing results than larger plants. It sounds counter-intuitive but small plants establish more quickly and grow faster than larger plants which can take 2 to 3 years to settle before they grow away. Also, any that do fail are cheaper to replace and catch up faster too.
When you get around to trimming that conifer hedge on the left do it gently and in small steps and never cut back into brown wood. Keep the green. This will encourage it to thicken up and stay green and healthy, as will a scattering of pelleted chicken manure along the roots every spring.
The previous owners had a 10ft greenhouse placed infront of it and it had grown over it. That's also not salvageable 😕
Its a pretty big job will have to be Done In stages. Will keep the hedges for privacy during the summer and rip them all down in autum and erect a fence with some Thuja shrubs.
In the sticks near Peterborough
6'/2m are usually considered a reasonable height and manageable too.
Has to be around 12ft as have a 3 story house and my partner enjoys the privacy