Garden refurb

[LIZS]

We have a long area of wilderness at the bottom of our garden(100x 25ft approx) with debris form when it was a builders yard, tree stumps and stuff dumped over the years. Our neighbours both sides seem currently very garden proud and one has even offered to buy it to expand theirs. So I feel we really ought to be doing more to it, although over time we have already made some headway bringing weeds more under control and clearing rubble. Ideally, however, it needs more time and money thrown at it than we have at present.

We may be able to get someone in to do the heavier work for us (ie removing stumps and self seeded trees). Can anyone advise what we could do initially at low cost to get it looking more cared for and usable in the short term (perhaps quick growing shrubs) and also suggest a garden planner so we can try to plan what we want to achieve and visualise what might work.

tia

[LauriefairycakeeatsCupid]

How about turning it into an orchard? Lots of fruit trees. Then throw over some self-seeding wildflower mix.

It would then be useful and romantic. The bugs/hedgehogs/bees would love it and its environmentally friendly.

[midnightexpress]

We are currently trying to do much the same as you Lizs - we have a similar sized patch that has been untouched for 20 years and was waist high in brambles when we bought the house. We're managing to clear the weeds, and have put down membrane over half of it to keep them at bay while we dig over the other half and get it sorted out. It's hard work, and we're struggling to find the time to work on it (our DCs are still small). We had some overhanging branches cut down recently and I'm using the sawn up logs to mark out vegetable beds and borders which does make the task seem a bit more manageable (ie we can dig these bits properly and concentrate on getting the big weeds out of the other bits, and hopefully will manage to grow something on the beds this summer).

Could you plant some quick growing ground cover on cleared areas to keep weeds down, or green manure (phaecalia, clover, alfafa, etc)as a temporary measure?

Do you have any info about the land - soil? Aspect/sun/shade?

The orchard idea is a nice one if you get enough sunlight.

[LIZS]

Some good ideas It is north facing, quite exposed as we are on top of a hill and gets a reasonable amount of sun as the gardens are long so no houses to cast shadows, soil is dark and fertile. We want to allow some space for play equipment, which could be screened by fruit trees, a rockery at the bottom (got loads of rubble and it saves carting it away), summerhouse ...

[midnightexpress]

Sounds just like mine - also north facing and on a hilltop (but not so sunny, as we have our neighbour's enormous trees to contend with)!

Not sure if a rockery at the bottom of a slope will be a good idea, as they tend to need good drainage (if you plan on having alpine-type plants in it, that is), and so check it's not too damp a spot.

For quick-growing shrubs, some of the climbing hydrangeas are good if you have something for it to climb up? Similarly, some clematis (eg montana) are pretty quick growing (though may be deciduous too). Hebes maybe?