This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.
Where would you start with this?
R25
Posts: 3
As the title says! Apart from cutting the grass and spraying the weeds off not much of a clue what to do. Would like to have a go at making it look presentable if it's easy enough!
0
Posts
Hi R25. I am truly envious of your garden - its a great space. I think you are doing the right thing in just mowing and weed killing. Identify any shrubs or trees you have. Work out which way your garden faces - how much sunlight etc. it gets daily and decide what you want your garden for. A peaceful place, a place for children to run around in, an entertaing area or a mixture of uses. Having decided you can then think about planning the planting.
I understanding it might look daunting at first R25 but I would agree with Ladybird4 about the fantastic potential you have with that space there. I think the first thing is to feel OK that nature has taken over - it is clearly happy there - and trust that the land wont suffer from a bit more 'neglect' while you take time to investigate what is needed.
You know, that grass in picture 2 looks really healthy to me. I would probably just cut it using a power mower on the highest setting (to avoid breaking blades on hdden stones, half bricks etc) you can then have a better look at what else might be growing there.
In picture 1 I suspect you might find one or two old pathways in the process. If so, clearing those (or later making a new one linking the house to that little gate at the back) would start to give some definition to the garden's landscaping.
Lowering the height of the grass gradually would enable you to see whether there are any good plants struggling to come through. When we moved in to our house the flower beds, although predefined by the over grown lawn, were a mass of knee high grass and waist high other foliage of indeterminate identity. During the ensuing gradual weeding investigation my wife found a rose bush and a Bramley Apple tree - half fallen over. She propped it up and it is now a beautifully mature tree - reliable fruiter - albeit set at a rather picturesque, slightly oriental looking angle.
In brief, you might find you start to relish the discoveries you may make in the process of tackling this lovely garden. Just do a section at a time starting with cutting the grass gradually lower and lower and I think the garden will start telling you what to do at each stage.
Think twice before you spray off the weeds. It never does a complete job, looks awful, has an adverse effect on the environment and may kill off good plants.
A mower does a great job
In the sticks near Peterborough
I agree with Nutcutlet - I can't see anything too bad there - regular mowing will bring that around and you may find some special plants among the weeds. What a lovely spot ... full of potential. Enjoy
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I agree with all of the above. Cut the grass and get it in order and see what comes up. When I bought my first house the lady said "leave the garden a year" so I did and had some lovely surprises.
In some parts of my garden now I had to strim becuse of the length of the grass but then I took over with the mower and it's coming round. The first cut's always a bit of a shocker. It'll look a bit chewed for a while so be warned.
That looks like a beautiful wee spot you have there.
I would have a poke around with a fork in places where it seems likely for a path to run. Poke it down vertically and if you feel or hear resistance , you've found it! I would then roughly clear it. It would be a shame to lose plants by using weed killer
think we'd all be interested to see how it turns out for you, R25. Any chance of some more photos later in the year?
Update! This isnt a case of a new house/garden, so as far as hidden plants making an appearance I think it is what it is. Those of you that said don't spray, what would you do with the nettles and thistles? There's a lot to pull out!!
Any more suggestions very welcome, but nothing 'complicated' please!
I covered my ragged looking lawn, after cutting it very short, in wet newspaper (6 -8 sheets thick), then covered it in bark, it's been great, no grass cutting, is soft underfoot, and can be planted in as the wet newspaper is easily cut through with a trowel.
Last edited: 29 June 2017 12:28:19
Nettles and thistles - in which case just spray using a weedkiller that goes inactive in the soil (something like Weedol). On your patio slabbed area use a weedkiller that will stay in the soil (Pathclear etc).