I have spent the last two days clearing a big (didn't seem that big when I started), flower bed that was blocking the view of the garden. Last year we cut down loads of huge plants there , but never got round to the base. It seems that the more I cut back the more moss and (mainly) grass I find. The whole top of the soil appears to be roots. I would love it to be in flower this year but I would not know how to plant into the tough soil.
I have a great advice for my veg patch so any of your help with this one would be appreciated.
What were the plants you cut down? What you're finding sounds like a mass of couch grass. If it is, every trace needs to be dug out. Once that's done, plant whatever you want. You'll probably have taken out a lot of topsoil with the roots, so don't throw it away. Pile it up, cover it with black plastic, and leave it a year or so to rot down. Then put it back.
HI
I the mean time CHEAT get some posts and plant them up and when your not digging and clearing cover with the pots :-) so you get your flowers this year!
Cambourne7
The beds were really over-run with huge hydrangeas and lavender trees. The last owners where not the energetic type, hey-ho.
We cut them back last year, now it is mainly the runners from these. The cover was so dense that there is a huge amount of moss. It is really hard to explain but the bed is on the rise to the main lawn. I have spent three days clearing the area, and needless to say my shoulders and hands are really sore. The grass is matted and I have managed to get most of the roots.
I think I may take Cambourne's advice and plant in pots. I am struggling to see what is a plant and what is a weed, so just pulling almost everything.
Thanks again