[Help] Gardeners Question Time.

[A mex eyecan]

My son has just bought himself a new built house which comes with a 50-60 foot long and 15 foot wide Somme mud clay pit rear garden. A gardener my lad isn’t! He’s now skint having shelled out every last £ he had.

Patio, well 9 slabs outside back door are going to need to be extended. If he will decide to go for decking I can build it for him as I’m half handy with stuff like that, whereas if he opts for slabs I’m the last person suited to getting them laying anywhere near flat.

He was saying about grassing the rest. I’ve suggested an area of formal lawn leading into a rather large area of meadow/wild flowers.

I haven’t got much of a clue about where to suggest starting. I dare say the labourer will be me whilst he’s out working and earning a living, so it will take me sometime to do allowing for my old ticker and shot knees Still he’s my lad and I really like to help him out if I can.

I know some of you have made meadow areas, so may I seek your wisdom. Where do I start? flatten the trenches? Did in gravel? roller it? and then once level, how do you get a good start for the flowers to establish?

 

[Weststander]

My son has just bought himself a new built house which comes with a 50-60 foot long and 15 foot wide Somme mud clay pit rear garden. A gardener my lad isn’t! He’s now skint having shelled out every last £ he had.

Patio, well 9 slabs outside back door are going to need to be extended. If he will decide to go for decking I can build it for him as I’m half handy with stuff like that, whereas if he opts for slabs I’m the last person suited to getting them laying anywhere near flat.

He was saying about grassing the rest. I’ve suggested an area of formal lawn leading into a rather large area of meadow/wild flowers.

I haven’t got much of a clue about where to suggest starting. I dare say the labourer will be me whilst he’s out working and earning a living, so it will take me sometime to do allowing for my old ticker and shot knees Still he’s my lad and I really like to help him out if I can.

I know some of you have made meadow areas, so may I seek your wisdom. Where do I start? flatten the trenches? Did in gravel? roller it? and then once level, how do you get a good start for the flowers to establish?

The good news if he agrees to the meadow idea, is that in the scenario you describe there’ll be far less work than changing from an established lawn.

Remove all perennial weeds including their roots eg brambles, also docks, dandelions, ground elder. Till the surface to an extent and seed with a mix suitable for the soil type. You want to see at least 50% soil before seeding. Gently tread down to give soil contact.

Complete Seed Mixtures - Emorsgate Seeds

Complete Seed Mixtures Created and Wild Harvested Mixtures comprising Wild Flowers and Grasses Search Complete MixturesSearch Keyword Categories All categories Complete Mixtures Brush Harvested Meadow Mixtures Cornfield Annuals General Purpose Meadow Mixtures Meadow Mixtures for...

wildseed.co.uk

You might want to add this at the same time for some colour from annuals such as cornflowers and poppies for the first summer.

EC1 Standard Cornfield Mixture - Emorsgate Seeds

£ / 100g : £20.00 £ / 1,000g : £80.00 £ / 10,000g : £740.00 £ / 100,000g : £6,770.00 For larger quantities please Contact Us

wildseed.co.uk

Maintenance - mow or scythe down to ground level by August at the latest, allow the debris to sit for a week, then completely remove it all.

If grasses end up dominating, next November seed with Yellow-rattle.

 

[A mex eyecan]

The good news if he agrees to the meadow idea, is that in the scenario you describe there’ll be far less work than changing from an established lawn.

Remove all perennial weeds including their roots eg brambles, also docks, dandelions, ground elder. Till the surface to an extent and seed with a mix suitable for the soil type. You want to see at least 50% soil before seeding. Gently tread down to give soil contact.

Complete Seed Mixtures - Emorsgate Seeds

Complete Seed Mixtures Created and Wild Harvested Mixtures comprising Wild Flowers and Grasses Search Complete MixturesSearch Keyword Categories All categories Complete Mixtures Brush Harvested Meadow Mixtures Cornfield Annuals General Purpose Meadow Mixtures Meadow Mixtures for...

wildseed.co.uk

You might want to add this at the same time for some colour from annuals such as cornflowers and poppies for the first summer.

EC1 Standard Cornfield Mixture - Emorsgate Seeds

£ / 100g : £20.00 £ / 1,000g : £80.00 £ / 10,000g : £740.00 £ / 100,000g : £6,770.00 For larger quantities please Contact Us

wildseed.co.uk

Maintenance - mow or scythe down to ground level by August at the latest, allow the debris to sit for a week, then completely remove it all.

If grasses end up dominating, next November seed with Yellow-rattle.

thank you for your reply. Interesting and useful.

 

[The Grockle]

My son has just bought himself a new built house which comes with a 50-60 foot long and 15 foot wide Somme mud clay pit rear garden. A gardener my lad isn’t! He’s now skint having shelled out every last £ he had.

Patio, well 9 slabs outside back door are going to need to be extended. If he will decide to go for decking I can build it for him as I’m half handy with stuff like that, whereas if he opts for slabs I’m the last person suited to getting them laying anywhere near flat.

He was saying about grassing the rest. I’ve suggested an area of formal lawn leading into a rather large area of meadow/wild flowers.

I haven’t got much of a clue about where to suggest starting. I dare say the labourer will be me whilst he’s out working and earning a living, so it will take me sometime to do allowing for my old ticker and shot knees Still he’s my lad and I really like to help him out if I can.

I know some of you have made meadow areas, so may I seek your wisdom. Where do I start? flatten the trenches? Did in gravel? roller it? and then once level, how do you get a good start for the flowers to establish?

It's great to have a blank canvas and you can do a lot with a relatively small budget.

Firstly, I'd recommend he spends the next few months filling a notebook with sketches and looking through instagram/Pinterest for inspiration before spending a penny.

Secondly, I think its important to consider what he'll actuality use the space for. If he just wants a patio/ seating area then a backdrop of plants some well places shrubs can provide interest whilst being low maintenance. A small manicured circle of lawn could provide a space for sunbathing or sitting without giving too much away to lawn.

New builds can be overlooked so some pleached trees can provide privacy. Some well placed Silver birch will screen whilst letting some dappled light in

Finally, work out the aspect. No point planning for a meadow if too much shade is cast as it won't thrive. If it's a sun trap and he chooses the wrong plants he'll spend all summer watering.

 

[Jack Straw]

My son has just bought himself a new built house which comes with a 50-60 foot long and 15 foot wide Somme mud clay pit rear garden. A gardener my lad isn’t! He’s now skint having shelled out every last £ he had.

Patio, well 9 slabs outside back door are going to need to be extended. If he will decide to go for decking I can build it for him as I’m half handy with stuff like that, whereas if he opts for slabs I’m the last person suited to getting them laying anywhere near flat.

He was saying about grassing the rest. I’ve suggested an area of formal lawn leading into a rather large area of meadow/wild flowers.

I haven’t got much of a clue about where to suggest starting. I dare say the labourer will be me whilst he’s out working and earning a living, so it will take me sometime to do allowing for my old ticker and shot knees Still he’s my lad and I really like to help him out if I can.

I know some of you have made meadow areas, so may I seek your wisdom. Where do I start? flatten the trenches? Did in gravel? roller it? and then once level, how do you get a good start for the flowers to establish?

Can you post a few photos?

 

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

Anyone know how to get rid of Lords and Ladies? It seems bomb proof.

The only advantage i have is that there are no other plants yet. Just a lot of leathery weeds!!

 

[Jack Straw]

Anyone know how to get rid of Lords and Ladies? It seems bomb proof.

The only advantage i have is that there are no other plants yet. Just a lot of leathery weeds!!

All you need to know, here;

Lords-and-ladies / RHS

With conspicuous orange-red berries in autumn, lords-and-ladies is a valuable perennial for shady areas. However, as it spreads easily, it can become too abundant in gardens. Here we help you decide whether to keep or remove it from your garden.

www.rhs.org.uk

 

[jevs]

Chilli seeds in last week
Lemon drop
Jalapeno
Basket of fire
Red dragon.

Booked a few days up at the NEC in June for Gardeners World Live. Been twice before and it's by far my favourite garden shows. As a Brucie bonus, the ticket allows you into the BBC good food live in the adjacent hall.

 

[WATFORD zero]

It's coming

 

[Wardy's twin]

It's coming

View attachment 198230

its here by the look ofit.

 

[Coldeanseagull]

I hate spring, everything is yellow......I hate yellow

 

[WATFORD zero]

I hate spring, everything is yellow......I hate yellow

The snowdrops aren't

 

[Coldeanseagull]

The snowdrops aren't

True, it's the exception to the rule. I have, jasminum nudiflorum, narcissus, forsythia, helleborus foetidus, kerria, sedum, trachycarpus, chamaerops, pansies, plus a host of leaves that are yellowing.....I want the tulips to come out and the fatsia berries to ripen to break up the constant chlorotic look!

 

[Weststander]

That nice time of the year, things happening.

 

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

All you need to know, here;

Lords-and-ladies / RHS

With conspicuous orange-red berries in autumn, lords-and-ladies is a valuable perennial for shady areas. However, as it spreads easily, it can become too abundant in gardens. Here we help you decide whether to keep or remove it from your garden.

www.rhs.org.uk

When the bluebells appeared I gave up and decided to clear the whole area (there is nothing to be saved in the new garden. I potted anything worth having in the autumn). Turned out to be quite a job, but anything left will be easier to deal with now.

In a few weeks, the planting will begin. Can't wait.

 

[Weststander]

When the bluebells appeared I gave up and decided to clear the whole area (there is nothing to be saved in the new garden. I potted anything worth having in the autumn). Turned out to be quite a job, but anything left will be easier to deal with now.

In a few weeks, the planting will begin. Can't wait.

View attachment 198961

Beautiful wall, so lucky, it’s going to be a wonderful backdrop.

 

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

And so you don't think I've done nothing in this garden yet, here are the ferns, just coming back to life, in our little north facing damp courtyard. You can't quite see the stunning little epimidiums that we brought from the last house. They are starting to flower. This tiny area is a bit of a treat.

 

[Jack Straw]

And so you don't think I've done nothing in this garden yet, here are the ferns, just coming back to life, in our little north facing damp courtyard. You can't quite see the stunning little epimidiums that we brought from the last house. They are starting to flower. This tiny area is a bit of a treat.

View attachment 198962

Please keep the photos coming as things progress.

 

[The Grockle]

And so you don't think I've done nothing in this garden yet, here are the ferns, just coming back to life, in our little north facing damp courtyard. You can't quite see the stunning little epimidiums that we brought from the last house. They are starting to flower. This tiny area is a bit of a treat.

Looks like Dryopteris wallichiana. One of my favourite semi evergreen ferns

I've got a few dotted around the shady parts of our garden, this one next to a large hosta thrives next to the path and very low maintenance

 

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

Looks like Dryopteris wallichiana. One of my favourite semi evergreen ferns

I've got a few dotted around the shady parts of our garden, this one next to a large hosta thrives next to the path and very low maintenance

Beautiful. There are a few different ferns. I'll update in a month or two.