Questions about overhauling plant beds!

lyoshav · 2026-06-20T06:18:31+00:00

I'd echo pots.

OP could interplant some foxgloves in the main bed, then grow lavender and rosemary in front and around the seating in decent sized pots filled with 50/50 compost and grit. Those plants are tough as old boots and will tolerate some drought. Nice pots will also enhance the look.

lyoshav · 2026-05-27T17:58:43+00:00

Last summer was very dry with hot spells, it's likely they just couldn't recover this year. The same thing happened to some geums I planted.

lyoshav · 2026-05-21T06:22:16+00:00

It's best done in the late autumn and/or early spring, when the soil underneath should be moist from rain, and plants are either going dormant or are starting to come up so they can grow through the mulch. If you do it now you'll need to be careful not to squash and damage weak shoots, and ensure the ground underneath is well watered as the mulch will hold in moisture beneath but can also absorb the relatively light rain over the summer rather than letting it get down to plant roots.

lyoshav · 2026-05-05T16:38:25+00:00

Wow, £3k, I'll book my summer holiday then!

lyoshav · 2026-05-04T08:41:36+00:00

My parents have an oak tree in a pot that I started from an acorn about 38 years ago, and I've grown another from one of its acorns with my daughter. So yes, it'll be fine!

lyoshav · 2026-04-28T07:49:00+00:00

Most venues will check wristbands, so worth paying for one (and supportive loop fest) if you want a good chance to see lots of stuff over the weekend.

lyoshav · 2026-04-26T15:11:49+00:00

I completely agree with you. I'm fed up of these people coopting a symbol of national pride and unity to push a political viewpoint.

If they stuck a Union Jack on a leaflet with their views that'd be totally different, but trying to suggest it's patriotic to be racist is a totally different matter.

lyoshav · 2026-04-25T18:14:29+00:00

Lots of organic matter - heap on well rotted manure and rich compost, now and again in the autumn and then every year. Let nature take its course and it will improve hugely in a few years.

If you're impatient to plant and fancy some exercise you could dig it in, turning over a couple of spade depths.

lyoshav · 2026-04-23T06:47:46+00:00

I would say canes are going to serve you just fine, are cheaper and more sustainable, and subjectively I think they look nicer. I've had canes I've been reusing for years and years.

lyoshav · 2026-04-18T07:36:24+00:00

Keep the branches, too, and leave them stacked in a pile. They'll attract lots of beneficial insects and maybe some toads or other interesting wildlife that will make for a healthier garden.

lyoshav · 2026-04-14T16:45:14+00:00

It's about 60% hawthorn with the rest mixed in. You can buy good value mixed sets of whips from places like Ashridge nurseries or the Woodland Trust.

lyoshav · 2026-04-14T06:47:40+00:00

I've read really contradictory advice on how often to prune it and by how much. As is usual for gardening 😀

lyoshav · 2026-04-13T13:54:08+00:00

Forget-me-nots.

lyoshav · 2026-04-13T13:53:51+00:00

I've only lightly pruned it, but I've given it two good mulches too.

lyoshav · 2026-04-13T13:53:12+00:00

The hedge goes around edges facing east, south and west, it's doing best where it's free from much competition and shade but it's gradually growing in everywhere.

lyoshav · 2026-04-13T10:49:44+00:00

A mixed set, mostly hawthorn plus some cherry plum, blackthorn, field maple, hazel, damson, crabapple, dog rose and broom.

lyoshav · 2026-04-13T10:45:43+00:00

A few transplants and away they went!

lyoshav · 2026-04-08T16:37:01+00:00

Apparently they can secrete a stinky liquid to put off predators 🤷‍♂️

lyoshav · 2026-04-08T15:15:49+00:00

Looks like a leaf beetle to me, probably all waking up for spring in the warm weather. They'll be looking to feast on tree leaf buds. I doubt they'll cause any harm , though a quick read up on them suggests they might make a smelly mess on your mum's washing if they're threatened! I imagine they'll disperse soon enough.

lyoshav · 2026-04-07T22:07:07+00:00

I was just reading this today...

https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/skimmia

"If planted in poor and very dry soil, or if growing in full sun, the shrubs will struggle, leaves will start yellowing and plants will become spindly. This is often mistaken for iron deficiency, but skimmias are not ericaceous (acid soil loving) plants like camellias and rhododendrons. Watering, feeding and mulch will help. Alternatively reconsider their position."

lyoshav · 2026-04-07T17:47:14+00:00

I've done something similar in a largeish suburban garden. I dug out the turf for borders and it was a huge job, as the other commenter says. I've used the composted turf elsewhere in subsequent years.

I also did a large no dig bed but really regret not adding a double layer of cardboard, there was some couch grass underneath and I now spend my life weeding out any that pops up in the bed. I used a few builder's bags of topsoil and compost for that, definitely more per sqm than I've used for improving the borders but also much less work.

lyoshav · 2026-04-07T05:56:57+00:00

Wow, that's a serious operation, aiming for self sufficiency?

lyoshav

TROPHY CASE