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Plant now or in spring?
CornishClare
Posts: 60
Hi folks,
I am looking to get a cottage like border started at the front of my house, I have already get a strip planted and have been really lucky with free cycle in getting lots of divisions of perennials and grasses given to me. My plan was to kill off the grass in the front and plant the transplants in spring. However, I got a but excited and killed the grass off last week. Would I be best to cover the area in weed suppressant fabric for the winter and plant up in spring, or risk planing in the next month or so. I am conflicted! I also have some perennial plugs which I will be growing on in a cool greenhouse over winter. Exiting times!! your advice would be greatly appreciated!
Clare
0
Posts
I wouldn't use weed suppressant fabric, I'd dig. If I had the patience I'd leave til spring but more likely I'd plant
In the sticks near Peterborough
Ok, bit concerned about the slope, it has about 2ft then a big slope for about 6ft (40 degrees ish) then 3 ft ish flat againI was a bit concerned about the soil being washed away- I am thinking maybe planing in to it would stop that.(can post post photos tomorrow)
What do you think, only really worked on the flat before? Thanks for the reply
C
It will be hard to establish plants if the soil is compacted.
I wouldn't plant plugs till spring.
In the sticks near Peterborough
Thanks, maybe I should do half and half, dig the flat bits and plant in the larger plants, cover the slope, then pant up the slope with the plugs (grown on) in spring?
got some good homemade compost and old chicken muck I can prepare the ground wiTh in the meantime.
I did a similar thing, made cottage garden borders from the lawn. Where grass has been, the ground will be very low in nitrogen and other nutrients, I started digging in November, dug all the weeds and grass out, made the edges good then piled on loads of comost, then
in the early spring some bone meal, then I planted up..
I would advise you to spend from now till spring doing all the prep work, by then you will see how many plants you have, what you still want and what spaces you will have for some annuals. Dont rush, the more prep work, the better the borders.
Thanks for the advice, I will do some digging and adding compost over winter
Clare
Hi
I do not know if these photos are any help