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Want to create a flower bed, but need advice on hedge/tree roots

farren.minnsfarren.minns Posts: 4
in Problem solving
Hi everyone.

I'm very new to gardening but after a redundancy (from an IT job of 22 years), I am making a big change of career (starting a small gardening business). I'll be starting simple and learning/training as I go. So, with that in mind, a client has asked for a new flower bed to be put in, and I'd love some advice/tips (pics attached).

There is a hedge and small tree at the back of the required bed, and I'm wondering how to tackle the roots. Is it safe to dig in and cut them back flush with the hedge? I have plenty of tools, so that shouldn't be an issue, but I don't want to kill anything. So, I'm wondering what is a realistic solution.

Any tips would be much appreciated.

Farren

Posts

  • KlinkKlink Posts: 261
    Does your client know you've no idea how to do the job? :/
  • farren.minnsfarren.minns Posts: 4
    Klink said:
    Does your client know you've no idea how to do the job? :/

    I'm currently studying for an RHS is garden design, but it's all a new venture. What I'm mostly offering is the simple stuff that I'm already very familiar with (hedge trimming, pruning, lawn care, garden clearance etc.). My client (actually a close friend), knows exactly what my position is and is happy for me to do some work for her to gain experience. 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Hedges and trees soak up a lot of moisture, and create shade. That affects what will grow. Cutting back all their roots will affect their health too. 
    If you look at the condition of the grass - that's why it looks like that. 
    You need to understand how plants grow and what conditions they need. Soil, climate and time available to maintain plants,  are also very important factors, and affect choices. 
    It would be wise to do a bit more research before pursuing your new career. If you put a bed in, and it fails, you'll not be asked back, and you may also find other potential customers will avoid you.
    In short - very little will grow terribly well there without a lot of time and effort. A separate, raised bed would be the only viable alternative. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • KlinkKlink Posts: 261
    farren.minns said:
    Klink said:
    Does your client know you've no idea how to do the job? :/

    I'm currently studying for an RHS is garden design, but it's all a new venture. What I'm mostly offering is the simple stuff that I'm already very familiar with (hedge trimming, pruning, lawn care, garden clearance etc.). My client (actually a close friend), knows exactly what my position is and is happy for me to do some work for her to gain experience. 

    Your original post looked a bit dodgy @farren.minns which is why i asked  :D Good luck with your new enterprise.
  • farren.minnsfarren.minns Posts: 4
    Klink said:
    farren.minns said:
    Klink said:
    Does your client know you've no idea how to do the job? :/

    I'm currently studying for an RHS is garden design, but it's all a new venture. What I'm mostly offering is the simple stuff that I'm already very familiar with (hedge trimming, pruning, lawn care, garden clearance etc.). My client (actually a close friend), knows exactly what my position is and is happy for me to do some work for her to gain experience. 

    Your original post looked a bit dodgy @farren.minns which is why i asked  :D Good luck with your new enterprise.

    No problem, I totally understand. I have to admit I would rather people just wanted me to trim, prune and clear for now, but they seem eager to give me extra (opportunities) :-)

  • farren.minnsfarren.minns Posts: 4
    Fairygirl said:
    Hedges and trees soak up a lot of moisture, and create shade. That affects what will grow. Cutting back all their roots will affect their health too. 
    If you look at the condition of the grass - that's why it looks like that. 
    You need to understand how plants grow and what conditions they need. Soil, climate and time available to maintain plants,  are also very important factors, and affect choices. 
    It would be wise to do a bit more research before pursuing your new career. If you put a bed in, and it fails, you'll not be asked back, and you may also find other potential customers will avoid you.
    In short - very little will grow terribly well there without a lot of time and effort. A separate, raised bed would be the only viable alternative. 

    Thanks for the information and advice. Much appreciated. I will do a lot more research before moving forward with this. 
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