My Garden

Beautiful perennial border from weed patch/rubble dump?

Last post 13-10-2009 8:32 AM by Gertroid. 2 replies.

• 20/09/2009 11:23 PM

  Gertroid Location: S.E. London Joined on: 04 Sep 2009 Posts: 5

  Reply | Contact New gardener, I'm gradually reaching out from the verandah of a flat in a Victorian house in S.E. London to the back garden... There is an area which runs right across the wall at the end of the garden - beyond the parking area. The strip is 2 - 3 metres wide and about 16 metres long. There is a wall behind it, which is East facing, with a little South. But, unlike the rest of the back garden, it gets a lot of sun. It is also sheltered from the worst of the weather. It used to grow big, early sweet blackberries. At one point they were taken out. And the wall that used to be there was knocked down by a JCB working next door. They rebuilt the wall, but left all the bricks and debris. Also, there is a run of concrete over part of that back area, which has been there for at least 30 years. Last spring I had a mind to dig a wildlife pond on the South end of this patch, but I met the concrete at about 18 inches down (encouraged by my house mates, though, I dug it in the lawn and it's been great). Obviously I don't know about the rest of the length until I dig it. But at the moment, all areas not covered by garden waste are growing prolific nettles. So, the advice I need is this: when I've pulled up all the nettles, moved the dumps and, more majorly, heaved out most of the bricks and rubble and I finally want to create a magnificient perennial border, what am I likely to need to do to the soil. I have a fairly clever friend who tells me that as long as there's enough depth of soil (not sure how much needed for your average perennial??)  it should be fertile (evidence the nettles) and has sufficient drainage (because of the rubble which I shall fail to remove). And likely all it will need will be, basically, potash. Is she right, do you think? Thanks for any advice.

• 09/10/2009 10:08 PM

  In reply to

  NickR Location: Harrow, Middlesex Joined on: 05 Oct 2009 Posts: 26

  Reply | Contact Hello :) Sounds like a really big project that you have ahead of you, but a very exciting one too as step by step you get closer to the goal of a wonderful perennial border :D With regard to the soil, its definately important to have good depth in order for the roots of your perennials to spread and develop efficienty, which will help them to establish and thrive. I guess the depth will depend on which plants you select as some will root more deeply than others. Its always good I guess if there is something already growing there, and the nettles will have improved the soil a little too. The soil can be improved further by digging in plenty of organic matter such as garden compost or even some manure, and this will vastly improve its humus content, meaning there will be plently of nutrients for your perennials. Drainage too is very important as this will help make sure plant roots don't get waterlogged and starved of oxygen, soil that is loamy (roughly equal parts silt, sand and clay) is the very best, so if possible try to make sure there is a little sand or even fine grit incorporated into the soil. I've recently completed my own little project, and once your plans become a reality it's very satisfying! I hope I've managed to help a little, Best of luck with your project! Nick :-)

• 13/10/2009 08:32 AM	In reply to
  Gertroid Location: S.E. London Joined on: 04 Sep 2009 Posts: 5	Reply | Contact Thank you for your encouragement. The decades-old heap of garden waste is shrinking and I'm getting down to the levels of usable stuff. And the rubble pile and wood pile are steadily growing, so I must be making progress!