Help - overgrown flower bed
One of our flower beds is a complete mess!!
Our garden was originally a field/paddock and we always have problems with grass coming through in the beds but this particular bed has (IMO) got out of hand. There are a lot of hardy geraniums in the bed and the grass comes up through the centre and is impossible to dig out. In addition, in about half the bed, the soil is rock hard (probably clay) and impossible to dig. My thoughts are to start from scratch with at least half of the bed - i.e. spray everything 2 or 3 times over the summer, then when everything has (hopefully) died down rotavate the bed with a Mantis and leave bare over winter with a view to starting afresh next year. Am I doing the right rhing??? Jeanne |
Help - overgrown flower bed
cover with old carpet to kill weeds?
" Jeanne Stockdale" wrote in message ... One of our flower beds is a complete mess!! Our garden was originally a field/paddock and we always have problems with grass coming through in the beds but this particular bed has (IMO) got out of hand. There are a lot of hardy geraniums in the bed and the grass comes up through the centre and is impossible to dig out. In addition, in about half the bed, the soil is rock hard (probably clay) and impossible to dig. My thoughts are to start from scratch with at least half of the bed - i.e. spray everything 2 or 3 times over the summer, then when everything has (hopefully) died down rotavate the bed with a Mantis and leave bare over winter with a view to starting afresh next year. Am I doing the right rhing??? Jeanne |
Help - overgrown flower bed
you could try the no dig method or raised beds etc
I think with no dig you can cover with black plastic and then manure/compost and plant potatoes and then while everything is being killed off under the black plastic you are growing potatoes on top. You'll then need something to earth them up as they grow such as straw , grass cutting , more manure or compost etc Just google for no dig |
Help - overgrown flower bed
" Jeanne Stockdale" wrote One of our flower beds is a complete mess!! Our garden was originally a field/paddock and we always have problems with grass coming through in the beds but this particular bed has (IMO) got out of hand. There are a lot of hardy geraniums in the bed and the grass comes up through the centre and is impossible to dig out. In addition, in about half the bed, the soil is rock hard (probably clay) and impossible to dig. My thoughts are to start from scratch with at least half of the bed - i.e. spray everything 2 or 3 times over the summer, then when everything has (hopefully) died down rotavate the bed with a Mantis and leave bare over winter with a view to starting afresh next year. Am I doing the right rhing??? It's what the Savill Garden are doing with their beds due to the dreaded Bindweed so yes you are doing it right. There are other things you could try but none will be so effective. How about taking some offshoots of the Geraniums, after a thorough search for grass roots, to pot up to replant when you have got rid of the grass etc. If it's Couch grass be careful it won't just come in again from your grass area, we fought a constant battle against it's encroachment on our old allotment because of grass roadways/paths. -- Regards Bob Hobden 17mls W. of London.UK |
Help - overgrown flower bed
Jeanne Stockdale wrote:
One of our flower beds is a complete mess!! Our garden was originally a field/paddock and we always have problems with grass coming through in the beds but this particular bed has (IMO) got out of hand. There are a lot of hardy geraniums in the bed and the grass comes up through the centre and is impossible to dig out. In addition, in about half the bed, the soil is rock hard (probably clay) and impossible to dig. It depends on how big the bed is and how happy you are with what's in it just now. I've got a bed at my back fence that gets grass and creeping buttercup growing through from the area behind. The bed isn't huge and I can keep it under control using a hand grubber. Lets me get down deep to the roots, whilst not disturbing the plants too much. You could always lift some of the geraniums if you want to save them. If you do start afresh what are you planning on doing with it, especially the bit you say you can't dig? -- NK Follow spamtrap instructions to reply |
Help - overgrown flower bed
ok dokey , apologies so what did I have wrong ?
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Help - overgrown flower bed
Janet,
Many thanks to clear up my misunderstanding , as ever I find this a fantastic place to improve my horticultoral knowledge from more experienced people such as yourself :) |
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