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first time gardener
stooooo
Posts: 6
hi, im a first time gardener trying to create a level lawn and a border for shrubs, so i can create some privacy as a public footpath runs along the entire length of my garden, the back garden is my focus it is 17metres by 8 metres, i am struggling getting a level some of the ground is heavily compacted and im finding lots of broken glass, how do i attack this problem any advice would be good.
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additionally the garden faces south to north and gets partial sunshine.
Hi stooooo, good for you, things like this can make a huge difference not only to you but to the whole local area and other people. You'll get loads of comments!
So, yes, the big problem will be soil preparation and there's no way to rush this. If you can, get help from other people (friends, family); work through the soil, digging and forking, removing weed roots and the glass. It will take a long time; be patient because the work you put in now will ensure that the plants do well later and that you don't waste ALL the time because they die. Allow some weeks for this and do it stage by stage. As you go along, once a section has been dug up and cleared of dangerous materials, add a layer of 4 inches of composted organic material on the top and dig that in, too. Go down to about two spades' depth, ideally, or more if you can manage it.
Levelling can be done with a spirit level and bricks (for example). Is the area on a slope, or is it just uneven? If on a slope, your best bet is ground covering plants that will hold it together, like hardy geraniums. Otherwise, level the soil once dug over and composted, using a rake.
You probably won't be able to do much planting until the spring, but if you get ahead with the digging over it will be a good idea to put in your shrubs, if you want to use any, in the autumn. Their roots will be growing then and they will require less watering next year.
I'm not clear from your description about how the bed is oriented; when facing the boundary with the path, are you facing south? Does the path run along the long side or the short side? Does it all get the same amount of sun, and is that in the morning or evening? Knowing this, we would be able to recommend planting choices.
Your main worry appears to be the lawn. two questions, are you in a new build, if not, what condition is the lawn in and how far off level. Come back and we will try to answer. a picture may help.
Frank.
hi and thanks for the repsonses i should of thought to include pictures hope these help,
that picture facing north with the footpath just the other side of fence on the right
this picture facing south, as you can see
the garden is on a slope and also very uneven.
i also would like to add the ground has a lot of stone and hardcore through it, i its a struggle to get the spade all the way down into the ground. thanks guys i really appreciate the help you are giving me