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Over the years, Gerry has answered more than 5,000 of your gardening questions. His knowledge is based in science and practical experience, and by working on radio and television.
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What can I do with my back garden (on a slight slope down towards house) after all the rain, snow and ice has left it VERY marshy. There is already a French drain in garden (got job done in garden 6 months ago). Garden feels like a bog when we walk on it. I wouldn't even be able to cut the grass until it has dried up a bit.
I built a house on a sloping site approx 10 years ago. I wanted to raise one section at the base of the site near the road exit. I asked the excavator at the time to strip back the topsoil, increase the depth of the subsoil and replace the same topsoil again. When i got back the job was complete and he said he had to use additional topsoil i had on the site. No problems of course until he is paid and out the gate. Soil settles, rain comes and year after year a person cannot even walk the lawn its so wet and soggy. The surrounding lawn is bone dry except for the raised section. I decided to dig some deep trial holes in the area in question and this confirmed the worst. So now i have a later of topsoil, a layer of subsoil (10") and then the original topsoil again below that. Firstly would this explain the wet ground and secondly have i any option except the obvious and strip back the ground again?
When is the best time to landscape an existing garden?
I have a raised percolation area and it has grass and weeds growing on it. I would like to know is there anything I can plant on it that will have nice flowers and maybe take over from the grass. It has been suggested to plant a lawn there but I thought I would get some opinions on it. I have a good large lawn already only planted last year so my garden is only new (blank canvas!)
I would like to make a start on my garden the problem i have is it gets water logged when its rains i can't afford expensive drainage or hire any machinery hand tools only at the moment, its also very stony but does get the sun all day on nice days what would grow in those conditions or is there anything i can do cheaply to improve these conditions
Hi Gerry, We moved into our new home over two years ago now, and we noticed a problem with our back garden immediately. We noticed that there is no soakage of water at all. All the water sits on the top of the grass and there is a slant coming right down to the back door. So all the water lodges at the top of the garden right at the back door. We were thinking of taking out the first quarter of the garden and filling it with gravel, would this be the right move? We want to be able to let our dogs run around it as well without being up to there neck in mud. How would you prepare the ground for such a job?
Just after digging out my garden for a patio. And it has produced a big mound whicj I have placed at the back of the garden, Id be interested in making a planted mound. Is it possible to rotavate such a mound its about 750mm high and 1500 mm wide. Also The garden area looks bad from walking on it will it come back to life once all work is finished. please look at photos inmy profile I need all the help I can get.
Hi Gerry, I have a square garden. We had it re-lawned last year so the grass is not that established. I want to incorporate some life into but am not a natural green fingers so am looking for maximum effect, minimum effort. Ideally low maintenance colourful shrubs with a bit of a wild look to them; I'm mad about the wild look. On sunny days the garden gets the sun for the entire day. I do not know what the soil type is.Any suggestions on what to grow would be appreciated as I haven't the first clue what to do! Thanks a million,Carol
hi gerry, we built a house last year now were trying to create a garden it's quite big and i just do not know where to start. its laid to lawn with one flower bed and a beech hedge, (so far) any tips? thanks.
Hi Jerry,I am about to prepare about a half acre of lawn for seeding. The problem is there are some very steep slopes in the area which would be a probelm to cut later on. Is there any kind of lawn seed out there that you dont have to cut very often and if so is it any good or does it look crapy? I would still put normal seed every where else.If there is no suitable seed then do you know of any lawn mower especially suited to large declines? Thanks Brian
Our garden is 3yrs old and was professional landscaped 2 yrs ago. The problem I'm having is that the lawn is very wet and never seems to dry out. In one corner after heavy rain a pond forms and last for days. What is the best way to tackle this problem and improve drainage. I've been advised that I need to put in french drains which is quite expensive Is there anything I can do myself without having to get the professionals in ?
Hi, I'm looking for some help please! I have a large mature garden but there are just a few areas which receive the sun for the whole day, but my main limitation is that we will be extending our house and don't know exactly how this will affect our garden yet. I will be receiving some bearded iris bulbs soon and feel it may be best to plant them in a container for next years' flowering, until I know where they can permanently reside in the future -around this time next year. I was thinking of building (well my husband will be doing that bit!) something like a raised bed, (??) but I don't know how deep the roots grow to know what depth of soil it needs to be able to hold? If you can advise me it will be great! Kind Regards, Hannah
Have used roundup twice this year but its seems to have made the weeds get stronger and bigger, areas that I have planted I have used plantex but weeds are coming through it. Any suggestions?
Hi Gerry, I have recently put an extensionon the back of my house and only have about 30 sq metres left, rectangular in shape. Trying to come up with some good ideas, any advice or where i could get some sample plans. Thanks
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