Tackled an overgrown conifer in the front garden. We really like it but it's keeping early sun off the beds and obscuring the acer next to it.
I used my new Henchman tripod ladder to safely get to the top and then used my new Bosch AXT25 shredder to fill three large aggregate bags (plus the green bin). Both of my new toys were purchased from recommendations posted on this wonderful forum
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After
Clay soil - Cheshire/Derbyshire border. I play with plants and soil and sometimes it's successful
OH took the stumps of the first 2 box plants out using a mattock. The majority of the rest are a lot smaller so l really hope they come out easier than that. We have two of a similar size in the front garden. One was pretty badly attacked on the back last year and never really recovered, but the front looked OK. In less than a week it is just as bad. I have filled in the holes with some topsoil and garden manure, and set out plants (heleniums, shrubby salvia and hardy geranium on the one side) in pots. Also moved a couple of iris from the front where they were getting a bit shaded and divided and planted them in the other space where they should get a good baking. Hoping to start on the next run of box hedge tomorrow. Deep joy.
All the box plants in the back garden have now been removed with the exception of a couple of small stumps. I lost count of the number of caterpillars that l found, plus cocoons where the little blighters were lurking. On the plus side, l have quite a bit of space for more planting opportunities A good way to get various hardy perennials into the ground at last.
Potted up Nemesia plug plants, and potted on mixed geraniums into pots for my MIL. Also potted on sweet peppers and a mini cucumber plant in the greenhouse.
@AnniD, I'm having to do the same with my dwarf box hedges. Got about half done so so then left it for a month or so and the stumps are starting to resprout so need to get the rest out asap. It's hard work using a hand mattock and loppers/secateurs and not good for my back.
I'm quite upset that the caterpillars have now moved on to a 6ft tall (part of a mixed hedge) box plant as it's going to leave quite a gap and also a stand alone lovely pale variegated one which helps to shield the neighbours from me.
Cut the plants in front of the garage, cut back a shrub that insists on growing up the house wall, planted out some seedlings given to us by friends, transferred some alliums that were in the wrong place, moved pots with seeds in them from the polytunnel (too hot) and watered certain plants.
@Lizzie27, l'm lucky in that l can get the smaller ones out with a fork and spade (and giving the soil a really good soak), but the bigger ones require my OH, a mattock, and a fair amount of cussing.
Posts
I used my new Henchman tripod ladder to safely get to the top and then used my new Bosch AXT25 shredder to fill three large aggregate bags (plus the green bin). Both of my new toys were purchased from recommendations posted on this wonderful forum
Before
During
After
I play with plants and soil and sometimes it's successful
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
I have filled in the holes with some topsoil and garden manure, and set out plants (heleniums, shrubby salvia and hardy geranium on the one side) in pots. Also moved a couple of iris from the front where they were getting a bit shaded and divided and planted them in the other space where they should get a good baking.
Hoping to start on the next run of box hedge tomorrow. Deep joy.
On the plus side, l have quite a bit of space for more planting opportunities
Potted up Nemesia plug plants, and potted on mixed geraniums into pots for my MIL.
Also potted on sweet peppers and a mini cucumber plant in the greenhouse.
I'm quite upset that the caterpillars have now moved on to a 6ft tall (part of a mixed hedge) box plant as it's going to leave quite a gap and also a stand alone lovely pale variegated one which helps to shield the neighbours from me.
O/H put up bunting for Jubilee and new front bench delivered