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I need some advice on "Unwilding" a section of my garden

ryankane27388611ryankane27388611 Posts: 5
in Garden design
Hello lovely people of the internet,

My partner and I moved into our first house together last year into a new build that was actually the show home for a new development. The perk of this was there had been some massive effort put into the garden already, and filled with lots of lovely plants.

Due to the odd shape of our boundaries, we have a little square behind our neighbours garage that has been a "wild garden" since the garden was designed. At the moment as you can see, it's nothing much to look at. Despite it being closed off, it gets a decent shot of sun in the spring and summer, and so my partner and I were keen to put a bit of order into this space. We're thinking a raised bed for some easy vegetables, or a compost bin or something, you get the idea! All we know is we want to use that space in some form. 

I have no clue what to do and what order to do it. In my mind, I'd imagine all we'd need to do is dig up the area, remove as much of the wild stuff and roots as possible, do a bit of levelling with some top soil, and then put either some slabs down or build / install our beds once things are levelled out. There's some small trees that flank the garage on the right, we'd probably leave those there, but the matt of wild grasses and nettles would be better to go. We'd probably put a small stepping stone path in from the garden too.

Am I being naïve? Is there any advice anyone can give on when's best to dig up the lot? Any advice on what to put down once it's been dug up? I value any input from anyone who's done something similar :) Thanks!

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Posts

  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    From the sound of it I think you know what to do. If you want to use that space then it just means some hard work digging it up and getting out the roots. Now is a good time, so long as it isn't waterlogged. It will be harder in the summer when it's dried out.

    I would remove those trees though. It looks like a hornbeam or beech hedge and they will mean less space, drier soil and more work keeping them clipped enough so they don't get in the way.
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • ryankane27388611ryankane27388611 Posts: 5
    Busy-Lizzie said:
    From the sound of it I think you know what to do. If you want to use that space then it just means some hard work digging it up and getting out the roots. Now is a good time, so long as it isn't waterlogged. It will be harder in the summer when it's dried out.

    I would remove those trees though. It looks like a hornbeam or beech hedge and they will mean less space, drier soil and more work keeping them clipped enough so they don't get in the way.
    Hi Lizzie,

    Thank you for your advice! You're spot on with Beech. I'm of the same opinion as you on that one but the boss may have different plans! thank you!
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I would dig out all the weeds and roots, remove the hedge and apply some well rotted farmyard manure … then you can grow your fruit and veg directly in the soil … there really is no need for expensive raised beds except in certain circumstances. 

    In place of that hedge you could espalier a pear tree or fan tree a cherry tree against that building wall. 

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





  • ryankane27388611ryankane27388611 Posts: 5
    Dovefromabove said:
    I would dig out all the weeds and roots, remove the hedge and apply some well rotted farmyard manure … then you can grow your fruit and veg directly in the soil … there really is no need for expensive raised beds except in certain circumstances. 

    In place of that hedge you could espalier a pear tree or fan tree a cherry tree against that building wall. 
    Thank you, that's great advice!
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited 5 March
    If you’re able to get a bit of the area cleared you could start off with growing some early potatoes 
    https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-grow-potatoes/ 
    That’s a traditional way to reclaim an area of land and establish a veg patch… and it’s a very rewarding project to start your gardening life with. 

    Please don’t hesitate to ask us if you’re unclear about something … we were all beginners once upon a time 👍 

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





  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    You mention the possibility of a Compost bin/box.  If the space you show is out of your sight line as such ( compost heaps aren't always the most attractive thing ),  you may want to consider that option particularly if you intend to do veg in the future.  Hard to say tho really without seeing the rest of your plot.
    Agree with the above advice about clearing the ground.  Once that is done, a path to your compost bin and planting of your choice to make it more attractive.
    Good luck whatever you decide  :)  
  • ryankane27388611ryankane27388611 Posts: 5
    Thanks all for the help!

    My partner is keen to get growing something, but we'd assumed we'd maybe need beds. But it will be worth seeing if we can grow straight out of the ground, it would make life far easier!

    We live in Aberdeen so not exactly tropical so potatoes seem to be a good choice. We have a thriving rosemary bush and keen to have thyme in the garden as well if we can manage too. 

    The area is tucked out of the way yes, if we trimmed back the hedges a small bin could sit in the back left corner and no one would see it. We have good area of seating and enjoying the garden so we're happy for this spot to be "put to use" so to speak!
  • madpenguinmadpenguin Posts: 2,543
    edited 5 March
    How about making it into a 'working' area?
    By that I mean a place where you can store pots, bags of compost, compost bin, pots past their best that need to die down,new plants not quite ready for the main garden, cold frame, etc.
    Out of sight (maybe with a screen?) of the house.
    I would love one of these but have no place suitable in my garden.
    “Every day is ordinary, until it isn't.” - Bernard Cornwell-Death of Kings
  • ryankane27388611ryankane27388611 Posts: 5
    madpenguin said:
    How about making it into a 'working' area?
    By that I mean a place where you can store pots, bags of compost, compost bin, pots past their best that need to die down,new plants not quite ready for the main garden, cold frame, etc.
    Out of sight (maybe with a screen?) of the house.
    I would love one of these but have no place suitable in my garden.
    A decent idea, although we do have a garage with plenty of shelf storage for that sort of thing. Natural inclination seems to be popping a shed in there, but we have no need for it and would rather do some growing if possible :) Love the inspiration though thank you!
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