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a mound problem
Hello
We live in a rented house with a small garden and lose one third of the garden to a mound covered in weeds and tree roots. We've tried levelling it out a bit but it's a mammoth task that probably needs a digger because of the tree roots. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what we could do with it to:
a) get rid of, or at least suppress the weed growth?
b) make it into a useable space?
Tried to post a picture but that doesn't seem to work.
Thank you!
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Posts
That one doesn't work either
If you're on a PC start from the little green tree in the tool bar.
In the sticks near Peterborough
I think the reason the little green tree doesn't work is because I'm on a Mac. I'm neither a gardening nor a computer expert
There'll be some Mac people around to make suggests later on I'm sure
Don't despair
In the sticks near Peterborough
Right, I'll check back later to see if anyone can give me any computing tips before starting on the gardening tips!!
No problem with a Mac Nicola. Put your picture into the Finder under Desktop, make sure it's not too big, 600 x 400 pixels approx. is about right. then click on the tree icon and drag and drop it into open space where it says Select Files, then click Upload. I find drag and drop the easiest. Hope this helps.
Thank you. I think it might be an internet connection problem as there is now nothing in the "Your Computer" box. That happened earlier too and then came back when the connection was stronger. I'll try again tomorrow morning.
Aha! Not an internet problem, the file was simply too big! Thanks, Swiss Sue!
If you're renting and don't want to do much work (totally understand this as I'm renting too!) you could easily beautify the area without levelling it. (Who knows what's under that mound).
Organic gardeners, please close your ears now! I would spray it with glyphosate now, and again in a month or so to treat any regrowth. Then plant the area. Things like lavender would do very well there - the slope makes it well draining and it looks a sunny spot. (Lavender is also fast growing and you can quickly multiply it from cuttings which are readily generated when you trim the plant - I think the easiest method is direct into the soil in Autumn, adding grit to the planting slits where you put the cuttings). Buddleia alternifolia would do well there, adding some height and nicer than the weedy Buddleia you normally see. Of course there are lots of options - Nepeta, hardy Geraniums, Alliums, Rosemary....
A cheaper approach would be to use annuals to create a 'flowering meadow'... and Nasturtiums would soon cover the ground from a spring sowing next year.
Plant prolific selfseeders: native foxglove, pink hardy geranium, Lychnis, nasturtium, bulbs for every season, poppy, calendula etc Spot-weed the worst of the weeds only. Let Nature take its course