Clearing an neglected garden

Gers

Now you see the neglect! It could be magnificent.

Apodemus

Looks good! I suspect there is more in there that could be worth saving, which is why I would be taking a more gradual approach to it. Once cleared of weeds and brambles, the old redcurrant will probably produce more berries quicker than its replacement, so I would keep that while I planted a couple of new ones. Is that a hardy fuchsia in one of the pics? And a clump of crane's bill? And what is the concrete structure - a path? An old shed/greenhouse base? Or the cover of your septic tank?

Whatever approach you take, you are going to have a constant battle with normal pasture weeds, so I would take a live-and-let-live approach from the outset. Informal borders, raised beds, wild-meadow lawn created by mowing rather than by seeding. It's all going to do its best to revert to nature as soon as your back is turned!

Gers

Apodemus wrote: »

Looks good! I suspect there is more in there that could be worth saving, which is why I would be taking a more gradual approach to it. Once cleared of weeds and brambles, the old redcurrant will probably produce more berries quicker than its replacement, so I would keep that while I planted a couple of new ones. Is that a hardy fuchsia in one of the pics? And a clump of crane's bill? And what is the concrete structure - a path? An old shed/greenhouse base? Or the cover of your septic tank?

Whatever approach you take, you are going to have a constant battle with normal pasture weeds, so I would take a live-and-let-live approach from the outset. Informal borders, raised beds, wild-meadow lawn created by mowing rather than by seeding. It's all going to do its best to revert to nature as soon as your back is turned!

Yes, there's a bank of long untended flowering bushes at the right hand side, many of which are also over the wall. I intend to keep as much of that as I can, including the honeysuckle.

Not sure what you mean by concrete structure, there's a stoney entrance at the gate, on my side there's old worn rutted stone. There's a sort of path on the right hand side next to the wall but it's just on the ground. My septic tank is on the house side of the track next to my barn.

I think it's an exciting project which will reap huge benefits, both with produce in raised beds and with flower beds. It face due south so gets all the sun, and sea salt air and wind. Yes, it'll revert to nature once I'm gone, but doesn't everything.

I'm glad you could see the beauty in it - thanks.

qwert_yuiop

Could you borrow a few goats? You could tether them.

silverwhistle

There must be a business opportunity for people with a few pigs (or goats) and an animal trailer: "land clearances a speciality"...

Apodemus

qwert_yuiop wrote: »

Could you borrow a few goats? You could tether them.

Unless Gers fixes the fence, he'll have the neighbours cattle back! And without a more expensive fence, the deer will soon find it too!

Gers

Apodemus wrote: »

Unless Gers fixes the fence, he'll have the neighbours cattle back! And without a more expensive fence, the deer will soon find it too!

Dead right! I had thought of goats, there are two locally, but then the fence would need fixed first and they'll be indiscriminate and just eat everything.

The were in a couple of weeks ago and there are deer in the woods around the field.

PS. - I'm a 'she'

Apodemus

Gers wrote: »

PS. - I'm a 'she'

Oops! The assumption was based on thinking that the name came from a certain football team, and the statistical likelihood that such a supporter was male. My apologies!

Gers

Apodemus wrote: »

Oops! The assumption was based on thinking that the name came from a certain football team, and the statistical likelihood that such a supporter was male. My apologies!

Correct team, wrong gender, it's an easy mistake to make.

I've been looking to find what you think is a concrete structure and it's probably that raised rounded bit. It's actually where, in recent times, cardboard and other rubbish has been burnt in a huge blaze. Debris builds up and then weeds grow over it. As there hasn't been a bonfire for a couple of years the burning residue has disappeared.

OR - you mean from the first pic? That's a wooden 'beam' of some sort, there are a few around the place which stick up, making the form of the garden years ago. It'll be interesting to see what's underneath.

Davesnave

We have done something like this on a somewhat larger, sloping site next to one of our fields, where there's no chance of taking hay. We simply levelled the surface out with a digger, seeded it roughly with grass and then planted trees, leaving some areas clear for pathways.

The trees and shrubs are planted quite densely and I mow the paths with a brushcutter or mower, depending on conditions, but apart from bit of pruning, that's it. We haven't the time to spend on what's essentially a wild area.

Alongside the paths is where I've planted flowers that stand some chance of competing with grasses: cranesbills, veronicastrum, ox eye daisies etc. There's also several buddleia in the most open and sunny location. Come the end of the season, these planted strips can be strimmed flat, ready to do their thing again next year.

There are a few weeds I don't want in this area, notably docks, thistles and ragwort. These I control with a selective weedkiller whilst doing the fields in May. Having reduced the weed seed burden, the amount of weedkiller I use is tiny, compared with how it was eight years ago.

With an area based on grasses, we don't have to worry about grasses 'invading' through the stock fence. Over time, the trees will grow and shade out much of the grass in the inner core of this area, which is fine. Other things, like cow parsley, which can do most of their growing early season, will take the grasses' place. It will evolve.

On your site I'd do similarly, reserving one area, maybe close to the walls, for deep beds. By using trees, one can decide later how much space to devote to plants that take more labour. If more space, is required, just cut a few down. If the garden turns out to be more labour intensive than imagined, leave the trees to mature.

Its a commitment, so flexibility is the key.