Washing line area - surface?

scottishminnie

Nor sure if I should have posted this on the Gardening thread so if it should be moved please feel free to do so.

Anyway - I'm in the midst of landscaping a nice big garden extension. Part of it will be a drying green in place of my current rotary dryer - well maybe not in place of but certainly in addition to.

I'm looking for some thoughts as to what the best surface for beneath the washing lines would be. There will be 4 poles in a square and whilst my natural thought was grass I'm concerned it will end up being muddy. I suggested to hubby was have paving stones around the outside and grass in the centre however he thinks it's a bad idea so I'm open to suggestions.

What do you have and what works best? There are no pets or children in the garden - just me and some semi tame hares running around!

Yorkie1

I have my washing line between posts and grass underneath. Doesn't get muddy.

The only observation I'd make is that grass can get a bit out of control around the posts area - you need a strimmer or similar to keep it trimmed as the lawnmower doesn't easily reach all the way up to the posts.

googler

If you're thinking it will get muddy from wet washing, think again. Glasgow rain will do that for you far more effectively than your washing will.

You may want pathways so that if you're putting the washing out after a rain shower, you're not churning the ground up and dragging mud back into the house.

scottishminnie

Yorkie - that was one of my points to OH - I have enough strimming to do without adding to it.

Googler -:rotfl: I wasn't thinking the washing would make it wet, more that constant walking over the area would end in trampled muddy grass as this is what I remember from my childhood home. I know some drought areas that would kill for some Glasgow rain right now - and we would gladly let them have it:)

I was thinking the paving stones could go around the square- maybe 2 deep and there would be no grass around the poles. If hubby can get the pavers at exactly the right height then I should be able to run the mower over the edge so no strimming required - that's my theory anyway. I have a few weeks to make up my mind - we have the small challenge of not being able to source 2 washing poles at the moment. We can get plenty but they are not strong enough as we are at the top of a hill and really exposed. Hubby is now thinking he will make them from scaffolding poles and threaded bar. They may not be the prettiest but they won't be in danger of blowing down!

27col

Whatever you choose, do not put grass up against vertical poles or vertical surfaces. As someone has already said, it is a damn nuisance trying to keep the grass short near the pole or vertical wall. I speak from experience.

Barneysmom

Can you get some round slabs with holes in the middle for the poles to slot through? That way there's no strimming

In the square where you say you are thinking of putting grass, you could plant lines of low-growing herbs like sage and thyme? The ladybirds and butterflies would live happily there.

DELLBOY_2

what about thouse driveway slabs that the grass grows through

kitschkitty

I'd put/build small planters around the base of the poles, to avoid the strimming issue and to make them look a bit nicer - would be a nice spot for herbs or flowers. As for paving vs grass it's personal choice, but I'd probably go for stepping stones or something that's not too conspicuous.