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Post by mudlark on Nov 26, 2019 14:23:38 GMT
Nice thread! We have just been given an allotment ( half plot) after years of waiting, it's just soil at the moment plus some broad beans Peewit has planted, tulip bulbs courtesy of Lawping, and this afternoon weather permitting we will plant some elephant garlic.
I have no shed no greenhouse at the moment so am hoping Father Christmas might bring me a temporary polytunnel for me to potter with some seedlings.
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Post by serrakunda on Jan 1, 2020 23:07:00 GMT
did you get your polytunnel Mudlark ?
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Post by mudlark on Jan 5, 2020 23:41:24 GMT
Yes I did, Santa was most kind, erected by myself and Mr M in under two hours watched by others with some amusement I expect, as we do tend to squabble when doing DIY together...but it is looking good and survived the winds.
The broad beans are poking through, although not all have sprouted, I would take a photo of the plot but it looks somewhat empty and forlorn at the moment!
Serrakunda, was Father Christmas equally generous in carrying some paving slabs in his sleigh for you, it must have been a hard slog for those poor reindeers this year.....!
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Post by serrakunda on Jan 6, 2020 14:56:17 GMT
sadly no paving slabs but I did get a substitute made from a heavy duty plastic, and some seeds
my taming of the soft fruit section of the allotment is coming along nicely - will post a photo at the weekend when I get the fencing up
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Post by flutterby on Jan 22, 2020 5:07:43 GMT
Need advice from you garden enthusiasts. The lady who had lived in our house before us was elderly and therefore unable to look after her garden properly. We have some potentially gorgeous borders, I know there are lots of perennials in there plus roses etc. Here is the snag. Lots of grass has grown into the borders and I have no clue how to or even if I can get rid of it without killing all the wanted plants as well. Any ideas anyone?
I dread to hear what you are going to tell me, I bet it involves lots of hard graft and as much as I enjoy looking at pretty gardens, gardening itself has never appealed to me.
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Post by mudlark on Jan 22, 2020 12:10:35 GMT
….you know I'm going to say weeding don't you...…..
no pain no gain! xx
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Post by flutterby on Jan 22, 2020 12:16:04 GMT
Yes, I know, but it doesn't get rid off the roots. I spent all of last summer and spring pulling the stuff out, but it just seems to get stronger.
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Post by serrakunda on Jan 22, 2020 12:41:09 GMT
I always find grass grows where you don't want it, but not where you do !
If its just ordinary grass it wont have a deep root system, you could use a spot weedkiller. Alternatively, cut it back as much as you can, give it a squirt of weedkiller, get some weed control membrane and cover the grass up and put a layer of bark on top. The membrane will help inhibit fresh growth of the grass, the bark makes the borders look nice, and it will be easier to spot weed. |
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Post by flutterby on Jan 23, 2020 4:00:45 GMT
Thanks Serrakunda, I can see there is no easy way out. The roots seem deep, maybe it isn't "ordinary" grass. In between the tufts of grass I know I have got lots of good plants. I saw them last year. But I guess I will have to accept that some of them will perish in trying to conquer the grass. The "lawn" itself seems to mainly consist of moss. 😬 Can someone explain to me which part of gardening is supposed to be relaxing, indeed therapeutic? 😳 😉 All I can see is a never ending sea of jobs, which are all undone before you have even got to the end. Bit like a kid's bedroom.
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Post by serrakunda on Jan 23, 2020 13:19:36 GMT
Its taken me three years to get my allotment under control - its much more relaxing now !
I have something called Horsetail on my allotment, its a really vicious weed, deep woody roots and spreads via spores - its very hard keeping on top of it without industrial strength illegal weed killer, so as I can't do that it is a battle of wills - I don't like to lose so there is the enjoyment is in the victory !!
Can you take a picture of the grass and post it - if we can identify it we might be able to help
alternatively - employ a gardener and you can wander round dead heading roses |
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Post by beckabecks on Jan 23, 2020 14:37:55 GMT
Wait until the perennials start to come through, then heavy mulch around them. If you put newspaper down first, even better. Cut any leaves/grasses that get through and put more mulch on top. I am hopeless in the garden, so consulted my mum who said this would be the easiest method if you want to keep the perennials. Otherwise mulch the lot with old carpet and remove it next year.
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Post by flutterby on Jan 24, 2020 13:05:59 GMT
Thank you all, Ladies. I think I like your suggestion of getting a gardener to deal with it all, Serra. There are plenty of other weeds in there too, only I am not knowledgeable enough to know what's what until it's really big and more difficult to remove. Industrial strength weedkillers are hard to come by, if it's not something organic people seem to think very little of you round here.
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