Forum home› Problem solving

Overgrown garden

DanokaneDanokane Posts: 5
edited May 2018 in Problem solving


Hello - so I’m looking for some advice. I’m taking on this garden to help my mother in law who cannot cope with it. It’s a big space and it is so overgrown with weeds and wild grass. I have attached some pics below - one is of the full garden the other is of the kind of grass that is growing underneath the weeds. What would be the best method to clear it? The aim is to have a garden that has space for fruit and veg to grow with a nice little seating area to enjoy the sun - any help and advice would be greatly appreciated - thanks in advance 







«1

Posts

  • DanokaneDanokane Posts: 5
    Overgrown garden 
  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,964
    A summer of mowing will probably set most things right.  Be very careful to check for nesting animals in the tall tuffs of grass and other quiet corners.  

    Is your MIL very able bodied?  Raised beds with a seating area all along the edge would be ideal, as it would be easier for her to weed and care for the veg.  Fruiting bushes and canes could form a boarder, along with a mix of dwarf rootstock fruit trees.  
    Utah, USA.
  • DanokaneDanokane Posts: 5
    Thanks for the advice! She's not able at all - in fact she didn't even know this plot of land was hers until recently. Would you suggest using weedkiller first to get rid of everything then essentially start again, or would it be be better to cut things down first? 
  • aureliecelerieraureliecelerier Posts: 157
    What sort of weeds are growing in your garden? I am not a fan of weedkiller but if perennial weeds (i.e nettles, brambles, bindweed...) I would strongly suggest that you use some. I speak from experience. I have been working on my garden for the last 2 years and refused to use any weedkiller at first, but now I have come to the conclusion that unfortunately and no matter how much digging I do, I will not be able to get rid of some of the weeds without it (especially bindweed in mine!) .... 
  • FireFire Posts: 17,332
    Where are you based?
  • DanokaneDanokane Posts: 5
    There are nettles, dandelions, wild grass and creeping buttercup - but that’s all I could see on the surface as it were - there’s probably more!  Ideally I would like to do everything organically as it will be used for veggies and fruits but im on a tight budget and looking to get it cleared up as soon as I can. Also - would you recommend putting a ground sheet down once it’s cleared? 
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 0
    The user and all related content has been deleted.
  • DanokaneDanokane Posts: 5
    Im based in Scotland.

    Yeah I’m sure - it’s going to be a small community garden with some neighbours helping with the upkeep 
  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,964
    Mowing will take care of most weeds.. go that route first, before busting out the spray.  
    Utah, USA.
  • aureliecelerieraureliecelerier Posts: 157
    If it was me, I would probably re do everything but that is because I am a bit of a perfectionist and I am lucky enough to be able to spend a lot of time in my garden :D I guess it really depends what you are looking for. If your main focus is to grow veggies/ fruits but the appearance of the garden is not the main priority then I would probably just mow the whole surface and get on with turning the ground or building raised beds whatever you plan is. But remember that you will have to mow regularly to keep the weeds down... If aesthetic is important to you then I would probably start from scratch... And re sow grass or lay gravel/bark wherever needed... 
Sign In or Register to comment.