Forum home› Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

help! overgrown garden!

ash_in_oxash_in_ox Posts: 1
in Problem solving
I recently moved in to a new house and the landlords have neglected the back garden for at least 2 years. There is a massive invasion of Virginia creeper and the ground is overgrown in ivy and various weeds, grasses, and leafy stalks to almost waist height. There is a tree and a medium sized primrose bush, both choked by creeper. I’m not so experienced with gardening and really don’t know where to begin. Seems like the creeper is where to start, as it’s very much in the way. Would love to clear out the whole thing and eventually have a simple grassy yard for sitting outdoors or some sport. Any advice on how to get started with this jungle? I guess hiring a service would be the “easiest” but I’d like to try myself first before giving up. As for tools, I have clippers, shears, and a cutter...probably need other things as well? I appreciate any advice and orientation ;) 

(photos below are lopsided, can’t seem to upload them properly....as you can see, hard to tell where the ground even begins!)





Posts

  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    Surely your landlord should clear this mess for you?
    Devon.
  • rachelQrtJHBjbrachelQrtJHBjb Posts: 819
    That looks like ground elder, too. Yes, the garden is a mess, but at this time of year the dense cover is probably providing a wonderful habitat for nesting birds. I would worry a major clearance at this time might disturb them. Maybe others will have a view on this?

    I agree with @Hostafan1 that the landlord should take some responsibility. Surely it cannot be advertised as a having a garden when the garden is overgrown and unusable?

    If you did make a start, yes, remove some of the creeper to see the bones of the garden. If the ground elder is coming up through a lawn your best bet is to start a mowing regime. Most likely, the ground elder will be throughout the borders and in neighbouring properties. As it's a rental, you could keep any plants you introduce in pots so that you can take them with you when you move. Or just add shrubs that will grow to a reasonable size and will not be bothered by the ground elder. It will run through perennials so unless you want to endlessly clear the ground I wouldn't bother.

  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    My youngest daughter privately rents and the garden is her responsibility on the tenancy agreement, we moved into a local authority property with a 150 foot garden like this,we didn't go down it for 6 weeks after moving in because it was impossible
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I would start by choosing an area where you'd like to sit and clear just that area ... then you can sit and watch and check on what wildlife is nesting/living there ... have a cuppa, sit quietly, make plans, then as you find out more about the space you can edge out gently from your island ... take you time ... cut back the understorey first ... some of the larger stuff may be worth saving ... 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • K67K67 Posts: 2,506
    To get photos to load right way edit them by slightly cropping. Landscape usually load OK.


Sign In or Register to comment.