Today was the most beautiful day, there were white fluffy clouds in a crisp blue sky, it was cold but not that biting cold where your fingers and toes are numb within minutes. I decided its time to start digging the main front bed again, our soil is heavy clay and we have had a lot of rain so it was all rather sticky and heavy going.
Towards the hedge the Ivy seems to be going mad again, all I seem to be doing is trying to dig out ivy roots. They are my Arch-Nemesis at the moment, ivy along with brambles dominate a lot of the garden, could say I am an expert in growing them both. I spent most of the time not just digging but pulling these roots out. I am very pleased that our front garden is not too public, on several occasions ended up on my backside, did not mind when I had a large root in my hand not so happy when I thumped to the ground empty handed.
Towards the hedge the Ivy seems to be going mad again, all I seem to be doing is trying to dig out ivy roots. They are my Arch-Nemesis at the moment, ivy along with brambles dominate a lot of the garden, could say I am an expert in growing them both. I spent most of the time not just digging but pulling these roots out. I am very pleased that our front garden is not too public, on several occasions ended up on my backside, did not mind when I had a large root in my hand not so happy when I thumped to the ground empty handed.
I have been talking with people on twitter mainly the wonderful Team Woolly about non dig gardening and it sounds very interesting and I have a area I am going to give it a try. I am a little concerned our soil is so bad that I need to be traditional and in the words of Dory from Finding Nemo "Just keep Digging Dig Dig Digging" then once cleared add lots of organic matter. I have been investigating well rotted manure on line and think it's best I buy a larger amount and have it delivered to the house.
As you can see these are the roots I am battling with, it can be rather disheartening at times, but its doing me more good the gym ever has. I was outside for around an hour today which felt like five mins, as I fought with the weeds, said a few choice words to them under my breath I did not once think about Autism, Type 1 or new jobs. My fight with these roots and how I can make this a beautiful space had concentrated my mind. As I walked into the kitchen lungs full of fresh air, my face tingling from the cold and yes a rather muddy pair of jeans I felt relaxed and happy.
I know that I need to get this sorted if I just plant now its going to come back and haunt me.... so if you have any Ivy advice I am all ears and a rather muddy backside.....
As you can see these are the roots I am battling with, it can be rather disheartening at times, but its doing me more good the gym ever has. I was outside for around an hour today which felt like five mins, as I fought with the weeds, said a few choice words to them under my breath I did not once think about Autism, Type 1 or new jobs. My fight with these roots and how I can make this a beautiful space had concentrated my mind. As I walked into the kitchen lungs full of fresh air, my face tingling from the cold and yes a rather muddy pair of jeans I felt relaxed and happy.
I know that I need to get this sorted if I just plant now its going to come back and haunt me.... so if you have any Ivy advice I am all ears and a rather muddy backside.....
You are right: if you don't do a thorough job of removing that Ivy, it will just grow back, and your efforts will have been wasted.
ReplyDeletei will be back out again falling onto my backside again I am sure
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