sorry i thought it was clear, the woodland is mine. We are building a house on half of the site, the woodland being the other half, not disturbed by the build, except for the drain.
This is a couple of months ago and things have moved on. The ground workers are set to do the drive, paving, patios etc. it’s an ongoing relationship, so OH will not let me murder him. It’s hard for me, but OH is pleased with his work apart from this. OH was shocked by what has happened, but as thevictorian says non gardeners don’t understand really. The ground workers are selling it as a lack of communication.
In an unrelated area there was a significant cost dispute and the contractor put money of his own in, in order to continue. I think he thinks he has done enough to repair this situation. He also offered to put topsoil on top of the existing mess, which I have declined.
My way forward is an offer of help from a local tractor driver who does farm work, but also domestic groundworks, who was equally shocked and he understands the soil is ruined. He won’t come onsite until they are gone, and that’s going to be next year. He says he will remove the subsoil, has a plan I like for where to put it, restore the paths and has told me not to worry. I have to hang onto this.
@a1154. You made it perfectly clear it was your land, half for woodland, half for new build. I hope you can get it sorted out next year, farmers will understand better than contractors.
Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor.
@a1154 - completely understand why you've lost your gardening mojo. You must be reeling at the damage.
I felt much the same last year as I watched mature shrubs and areas of my garden die in the sizzling heat and 10 months of exceptional drought. It looked a dreadful mess and I really couldn't summon the energy or enthusiasm to do anything about it (not much I could do about it really). I must be one of the few people who've really enjoyed a cooler, wetter season this year. The garden has been green and lush, the soil easy to work and I've been able to propagate and replant with minimal effort.
The main difference is that the damage in my garden was down to a natural event. I can't really be angry with anyone about it. The damage to yours was man made and much of it unnecessary.
I can't imagine for one moment that the contractors set out to deliberately trash your garden and it sounds as though they just didn't understand what was there and the care they needed to take. Although, at the very least, I would have expected a consultation before they bulldozed through a hedge which might have given you a heads up that you needed to be there to supervise.
I'm glad you've found a good ally in the farming contractor. Hopefully things will look a little brighter this time next year.
Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
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In an unrelated area there was a significant cost dispute and the contractor put money of his own in, in order to continue. I think he thinks he has done enough to repair this situation. He also offered to put topsoil on top of the existing mess, which I have declined.
I felt much the same last year as I watched mature shrubs and areas of my garden die in the sizzling heat and 10 months of exceptional drought. It looked a dreadful mess and I really couldn't summon the energy or enthusiasm to do anything about it (not much I could do about it really). I must be one of the few people who've really enjoyed a cooler, wetter season this year. The garden has been green and lush, the soil easy to work and I've been able to propagate and replant with minimal effort.
The main difference is that the damage in my garden was down to a natural event. I can't really be angry with anyone about it. The damage to yours was man made and much of it unnecessary.
I can't imagine for one moment that the contractors set out to deliberately trash your garden and it sounds as though they just didn't understand what was there and the care they needed to take. Although, at the very least, I would have expected a consultation before they bulldozed through a hedge which might have given you a heads up that you needed to be there to supervise.
I'm glad you've found a good ally in the farming contractor. Hopefully things will look a little brighter this time next year.
I really don't think so. I imagine a lot of gardeners have heaved a collective sigh of relief, after last year.