The Transformation of my garden at Beehive Cottage continues. After non stop shredding we had to face the ugly task of digging up what is left of the old hedge – roots stumps. Armed with spade, an iron pole, handsaw and even an electric saw we tackled this patience demanding task.
Luckily I had Steve (my husband) helping me with the biggest root stumps although I find it hard to admit I couldn’t have managed the largest beasts by myself. Well maybe I would have but it would have taken all my patients, determination and more. The most aggravating part is when you think you’ve got it and you go to heave it out only to find that it wont budge and is still holding on tightly to the soil with one hard to reach root. But you do get there in the end!
I then tackled all the remaining roots and weeds and dug over the area where the old hedge was. Whilst that was going on Steve was busy digging a big hole for our small wildlife friendly pond in record time. I had to duck and dive to not get splattered in the face by soil flying through the air.
Now you might think why a pond aren’t you creating a kitchen/productive garden? I am indeed but a little pond with native marginal planting will benefit lots of useful creatures which will help keep things in balance and thus keep pests to a minimum.
We are of course replacing our hedge with a better hedge: A native mixed productive hedge. This little hedge has been patiently waiting for its new home heeled into the ground since September when I got it for my birthday. It contains the following varieties:
Hawthron - Crataegus monogyna
Blackthorn - Prunus spinosa
English Oak - Quercus robur
Beech Fagus – sylvatica
Hazel Corylus – avellana
Dog Rose Rosa – canina
The great thing about this native hedge is that I will be able to harvest some edible treats from it once it’s established, a few hazel nuts, sloes to add to gin, rose hips and hawthorn berries for syrup and such. Once the hedge gets bigger we will lay it and keeping it at about shoulder height.
It was a quick and easy to plant! Placing a long tape measure along side the fence I planted the little hedge plants 30cm apart. In between I planted wildflowers you find in the Devon hedge rows which I grew from seed.
Oxeye Daises – Leucathemum vulgare
Foxgloves – Digitalis pupurea
Cow Parsley – Anthriscus sylvestris
I have also dug up, divided and potted up various plants from the garden to sell at our local market to help fund our garden.
Spent: £100 on pond underlay and liner
Charlott’s Garden Total: £-203.81