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Tree covered slope gardening?!
NorthernJoe
Posts: 660
We're buying a new house with our first garden. It's a decent size but all up a very steep slope. It's also covered in trees and large shrubs. There's paths twisting around it. Overgrown and needing a fair bit of cutting back. Undergrowth needs cutting back from the paths as it's a trip hazard. Advice is to wait and see what we have but you've got to live with it too. Can't live with something you can't safely walk around.
Since it's winter we move in cutting back woody shrubs and even trees is a good idea since sap is down. Winter/autumn is the best time for pruning and even hard pruning back of woody plants I learnt as a youngster. January move in expected so a quick clear out.
So basically I'm seeking advice. What would you do? What would you put in and take out?
Background, the slope runs up in a WSW direction, slightly off the West cardinal point. Slope is steep such that you're above the roof of the house very quickly. It's a bungalow with undercroft/garage (bungalow on stilts). We have solar panels so might need to keep lower trees clipped back a bit. The rear patio is slightly boxed in by what's growing above it. The area is heavily limestone area but it have no idea what is in this garden. I have a feeling there's limestone at or near the surface in places. Soil will need improving to grow anything under the trees I think. Anything you need to know to give advice please ask. I've had one viewing which was mostly spent in the garden as it's what sold us on the house. We like the great outdoors and this is like that in our own property. Like owning a mini wood!!
Since it's winter we move in cutting back woody shrubs and even trees is a good idea since sap is down. Winter/autumn is the best time for pruning and even hard pruning back of woody plants I learnt as a youngster. January move in expected so a quick clear out.
So basically I'm seeking advice. What would you do? What would you put in and take out?
Background, the slope runs up in a WSW direction, slightly off the West cardinal point. Slope is steep such that you're above the roof of the house very quickly. It's a bungalow with undercroft/garage (bungalow on stilts). We have solar panels so might need to keep lower trees clipped back a bit. The rear patio is slightly boxed in by what's growing above it. The area is heavily limestone area but it have no idea what is in this garden. I have a feeling there's limestone at or near the surface in places. Soil will need improving to grow anything under the trees I think. Anything you need to know to give advice please ask. I've had one viewing which was mostly spent in the garden as it's what sold us on the house. We like the great outdoors and this is like that in our own property. Like owning a mini wood!!
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I'm an eternal optimist I reckon because I'm planning our garden before it's even ours!! I hope there's nothing wrong with that. We're going to move to that village and pretty much all of it is a slope one way or another. Most gardens are sloping but this one is sloping a lot.
If you get the house, then take photos and ask for advice, a little bit at a time.
Too much info on one post puts people off answering IME.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Not sure how we'll end up using it. I guess sitting in, getting fresh air, exercise (through gardening), kid's play area (imagination derived from loads of hiding places, dens, etc), BBQs and even entertaining family. We're not big socializers, not antisocial just kind of like our own space, meet people outside more.
I like rooms idea in gardens. I think this is partly there. The paths lead to something but not clear what, probably seating areas. Some look flattened out with I think gravel surface too. The issue is a lot of to has been overgrown. You can make out the paths but you're pushing through in places. Some areas have plants kind of covering over what was possibly a seating room if you like. There's potential but it's shade/woodland gardening. If there's such a thing.
I'm thinking foliage plants more like Hostas, a few plants like what grows native locally. Not sure I'd go with Ransomes which are good plants and grow a lot round here, plus make a decent plant to crop. Great for salads, a for of pesto, etc. I actually like the idea of edible plants. My wish has always been to have a place to grow fruit and vegetables that are better or cheaper than supermarket? I'm a lover of gooseberries but will they grow and crop under trees? I don't think this is the garden for a veg patch somehow.
I think if I can get a few good, straight sticks or branches I might make a little den for our son somewhere? Perhaps with a tarp, lavvu or similar. It's a place for us all so it would be great to give him his own spot.