Starting the September clean up.

15 comments

I have started doing some proper tidying up of the borders. As it was going to be a hot day I decided to do one of the shade areas. I’ve not done much to it for several years and I know the Acuba needs pruning but I will do that in the spring. It will be good for the birds to ‘nest’ in overwinter.

The area had several British natives in it, one being one of the vetches and the other Enchanter’s Nightshade [Circaea lutetiana].

There was quite a bit of grass but as this area always seems to be on the damp side it soon pulled up. That’s when the ‘problem’ became apparent.

The Nightshade pulls up really easily.

It leaves lots of creeping underground stems behind :o(

So slow and methodical digging was called for. I don’t suppose for one minute I have got it all out but come spring it will be easy to spot and pull out.

Edges done and it looks a lot better.

Just have to keep working my away around the garden.

13 Sep, 2016
12 likes

Comments

Cottagekaren

You've done a lovely job! Hope you're not too tired :)

13 Sep, 2016

Shirley_tulip

I agree ... your soil looks great too!

13 Sep, 2016

Dottydaisy2

Well done......you have been busy.....we have been doing the same , having a big clear out!

13 Sep, 2016

Siris

Snap, started my Autumn tidy up and pruning, this week.

13 Sep, 2016

Steragram

Good for you folks - its been much too wet and windy here to do anything today.

13 Sep, 2016

Waddy

Well done SBG, I agree, your soil looks great so just take it a bit at a tiem and I'm sure you'll get everything done in no time.

13 Sep, 2016

Lincslass

My problem is keeping on top of ivy and bindweed, its well rooted into the hawthorn roots so no chance of ever getting rid of it
.You can certainly see where you have been, if you had same heat as we had,the shady spot was the best place to be today, great feeling of satisfaction when one uncovers some earth isn't it, now what can you plant in there, lol...

13 Sep, 2016

Dianebulley

Good to hear of someone showing consideration for the wild birds. Did you all know that they will not nest in newly planted trees on former agricultural land ? (RSPB advises.)
All mature trees in urban areas are protected by
Preservation Tree Orders automatically.
Trees in rural areas are not.
The Planning Officers do not know this.
If you know of trees that may be threatened by development its a good idea to send them an email about it.
I have done it for a local spinney. The Planning Officers are going out to map it, and mark in all the mature trees to get the Preservation Tree Order (PTO) into position.
Just something we can all do to help the birds survive.

14 Sep, 2016

Seaburngirl

We are in a 'conservation area' and the mature trees have TPO's on them. A blessing in one way but not in another. There are several that are on our boundary and the owner of the land does nothing to maintain them. Consequently they are causing problems for those neighbouring them. The council have requested they are maintained but the land owner does nothing. We can, but we then have to pay for a tree surgeon as the council wont let us do the work ourselves.

The soil is getting better as I have been working on it for 20 yrs. This bed was revamped quite a few years ago now. I call this the shed bed as hubby's shed is at the end of this border. It is lower down than the service road that runs along behind it so it gets all the run off from it.

I have an aching back this am and I have 3 bites so not too bad. I'm on the outskirts of Hull so it was 29 degrees yesterday. Didn't even sit in the sun for coffee or lunch, far too hot!

As for what is going in there well it is well planted already. there are spring bulbs, corydalis, dicentra and cyclamen coum. then there is an aconitum [not sure which one flowers late spring early summer] Martagon lilies. I will no doubt find things to pop in as one cant not. It would be rude :o)

14 Sep, 2016

Cinderella

Love it SB. You have done well. I always enjoy doing things like that. Sometimes can be quite ruthless, but then sometimes you have to be.

14 Sep, 2016

Jenlewis

It looks really good for all your hard work. I'm still doing my spring, summer, autumn tidy up :-). I was meant to hit the front garden hard as we were supposed to have this week with no customers but that went out the window. Managed to get yesterday morning in garden but by lunch time the heavens opened with thunder and lightning. Sitting here waiting for a customer to come and go so I can try get an hour or so out there today.

14 Sep, 2016

Paulspatch

Yes, I did my does yesterday and I'm sitting her on the patio and I have to say it makes so much difference to the appearance of the borders and the lawn.
You've made a huge difference.

14 Sep, 2016

Paulspatch

Should read "I did my edges yesterday"

14 Sep, 2016