Hi - I will get back to you as to why this particular project falls to me alone which I don’t mind at all and am happy with
The cricket ground and wicket maintenance at a cricket club involves many different skills so there is a smallish team albeit doing different things
I came down late afternoon to carry on with the weeding and some trimming of some of the existing shrubs / plants and to get a semblance of a plan and to sort out watering by hosepipe which I should have up and running by tomorrow
In think the ladies may have last worked on the flower beds last autumn and they will not have been watered since last autumn
There are hebes in one of the narrow borders here which are woody and past their sell by date
Found a youngish Berberis and a couple of hostas
The Church Hall the Church Lounge and the Cricket lounge host functions -.Wedding parties Birthday parties Christening parties Baby Showers ( only just found what they are ) etc so it is important to make the entrances look nice
Covid hit all sports clubs hard so it will take time to recover financially as the venues were shut for long periods
@Keith-16 You may be able to use the Berberis it will respond to a hard cut back. You can cut back into the old wood. Otherwise just trim to shape. The soil under the membrane will be poor and sour. You could easily spend the budget on sorting out the soil without any plants. Long term this would be the best way.
If you just plant through the membrane there is a risk that the plants will struggle. If this is the option you go for as @Marlorena said keep it very simple. You could look at just three small evergreens repeated throughout the space. If you are able to find different shapes and heights that will work They will look like dots in the ground at first but by year three you will have a strong shape to hold the border together. Then you can look at further planting in the gaps when the budget allows.
It will at least look tidy for mid September they say the best gardens evolve!
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
I think that I am going to have to buy shrubs / plants which can survive poor soil conditions
Which of those recommended in various posts would adapt and be OK in poor soil I will try to enhance the soil as best I can but this is turning into a more time consuming project than I expected I think this season I can only do a basic makeover this as we are only 5 weeks from the end I have got a colleague who will help with the painting of the white surrounds
It's a small world ... my OH's Uncle Keith lived in Billinge until not that long ago ... he moved away to be nearer his daughter after he was widowed ...
Good luck to you with your project
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I don’t think there is another volunteer at the club who is “ gardener “
I am no expert - just a resourceful self taught gardener
The reason why I volunteer is that I played cricket at the club from the age of 13 to 52 and am an Honorary life member
My wife came to every match and helped with the teas
Sadly my wife died 3 years ago as at yesterday - we were soul mates and did everything together and did all our own gardening together as a team
Even though I have a very large garden I am happy to help at the cricket club as I am not always alone there as other people are doing other jobs so I get a chance to chat
Nobody has ever asked me to do a gardening project before so that in itself is an honour - quite a challenge but I shall get there
@Keith-16 I have just looked back at all the comments on this thread. It would be wrong of me as a retired professional gardener to suggest you plant directly into a stoney dry soil. The job should really be done properly if these plants are going to thrive. Perhaps sort the soil put back the membrane and grit, at least it will be tidy Plants worth keeping pot up and take them home for now. In spring ask for more money when a few of the functions have taken place Then you can make a really good job of it and do something you can be proud of , these are my thoughts.
The club committee should be aware that they could be looking at further expense for more plants if they are unhappy in the soil conditions. You are in the North so heavy winter rain will not suit many of the plants that like an arid soil.The budget of £100 will sort the soil out but where are all those young cricket players who should spare an hour removing the membrane and grit to help you. It is their club and they will enjoy the rewards when the 'baby showers' get going.
Keeping busy and having a project can divert the mind,you are a self taught resourceful gardener which to my mind shows your confidence and spirit.
I know this thread contains alot of what I think and I would very much appreciate other forum members help. I don't get affended by being told Iv'e got it wrong.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
You make a good point @GardenerSuze , about getting the younger members involved. I think getting them involved in clearing the membrane etc. gives them an investment and an interest in something that they pass by every time they arrive at the club.
There may even be some who take a further interest and help with planting, watering etc . I appreciate the work that you are doing Keith, and l know exactly what you mean, but l think if you can get a bit of "muscle" involved in just getting it started, that will kick start the whole thing.
Only you know how likely it is that you will get some volunteers just to clear the area, but l think it's only fair. I expect your wife would say the same
I'm with Suze, you really need to lift the membrane and dig the soil, incorporating some organic matter. You'll still probably want plants suited to poor soil, but even they will do much better given a bit of preparation. Doesn't have to be back breaking double digging etc, just fork it over as best you can.
"What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour".
Posts
Hi - I will get back to you as to why this particular project falls to me alone which I don’t mind at all and am happy with
The cricket ground and wicket maintenance at a cricket club involves many different skills so there is a smallish team albeit doing different things
I came down late afternoon to carry on with the weeding and some trimming of some of the existing shrubs / plants and to get a semblance of a plan and to sort out watering by hosepipe which I should have up and running by tomorrow
In think the ladies may have last worked on the flower beds last autumn and they will not have been watered since last autumn
There are hebes in one of the narrow borders here which are woody and past their sell by date
Found a youngish Berberis and a couple of hostas
The Church Hall the Church Lounge and the Cricket lounge host functions -.Wedding parties Birthday parties Christening parties Baby Showers ( only just found what they are ) etc so it is important to make the entrances look nice
Covid hit all sports clubs hard so it will take time to recover financially as the venues were shut for long periods
K
The soil under the membrane will be poor and sour. You could easily spend the budget on sorting out the soil without any plants. Long term this would be the best way.
If you just plant through the membrane there is a risk that the plants will struggle. If this is the option you go for as @Marlorena said keep it very simple. You could look at just three small evergreens repeated throughout the space. If you are able to find different shapes and heights that will work They will look like dots in the ground at first but by year three you will have a strong shape to hold the border together. Then you can look at further planting in the gaps when the budget allows.
It will at least look tidy for mid September they say the best gardens evolve!
just tried to test the soil below the membrane
very poor indeed - very dry and stony
I will try to enhance the soil as best I can but this is turning into a more time consuming project than I expected
I think this season I can only do a basic makeover this as we are only 5 weeks from the end
I have got a colleague who will help with the painting of the white surrounds
Good luck to you with your project
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Just to give background as to why it is only me
I don’t think there is another volunteer at the club who is “ gardener “
I am no expert - just a resourceful self taught gardener
The reason why I volunteer is that I played cricket at the club from the age of 13 to 52 and am an Honorary life member
My wife came to every match and helped with the teas
Sadly my wife died 3 years ago as at yesterday - we were soul mates and did everything together and did all our own gardening together as a team
Even though I have a very large garden I am happy to help at the cricket club as I am not always alone there as other people are doing other jobs so I get a chance to chat
Nobody has ever asked me to do a gardening project before so that in itself is an honour - quite a challenge but I shall get there
The club committee should be aware that they could be looking at further expense for more plants if they are unhappy in the soil conditions. You are in the North so heavy winter rain will not suit many of the plants that like an arid soil.The budget of £100 will sort the soil out but where are all those young cricket players who should spare an hour removing the membrane and grit to help you. It is their club and they will enjoy the rewards when the 'baby showers' get going.
Keeping busy and having a project can divert the mind,you are a self taught resourceful gardener which to my mind shows your confidence and spirit.
I know this thread contains alot of what I think and I would very much appreciate other forum members help. I don't get affended by being told Iv'e got it wrong.
I think getting them involved in clearing the membrane etc. gives them an investment and an interest in something that they pass by every time they arrive at the club.
There may even be some who take a further interest and help with planting, watering etc .
I appreciate the work that you are doing Keith, and l know exactly what you mean, but l think if you can get a bit of "muscle" involved in just getting it started, that will kick start the whole thing.
Only you know how likely it is that you will get some volunteers just to clear the area, but l think it's only fair. I expect your wife would say the same