Gransnet forums

Gardening

Page 1 of 1
Flip | Customise

Advice re using a rotavator

(9 Posts)
Add comment | Report
nanaej Mon 25-Jun-12 20:17:28

Have a long (90' approx X 8' wide approx) sloping bed full of ivy & bramble roots plus other weeds.

I need to prepare it for planting and have had the Leylandii and privet removed from one end. The bed has been weeded and weeded and I have resorted to using weedkiller but the roots are so matted I am going to get it thoroughly dug over and then clear it again! Has anyone used a rotavator? Do they work well bearing in mind this bed is on a slope! Or should I spend the money set aside for plants and use some of it to pay for the bed to be cleared? What would you do??

Add comment | Report
whitewave Mon 25-Jun-12 20:34:10

We have a rotavator since my husbands back has been dodgy - for the allotment. It does the job but will chop all the roots into bits and from each root will grow another weed, so be prepared to use the hoe constantly - also I suspect that if you never dig you may cause a pan to form but if you grow spuds that should sort it really

Add comment | Report
Anne58 Mon 25-Jun-12 20:45:28

Do you have ground elder?

Add comment | Report
johanna Mon 25-Jun-12 22:32:04

phoenix
Please do not mention ground elder. Ever. Again.grin
The stuff of nightmares.

Add comment | Report
nanaej Tue 26-Jun-12 10:30:16

No it is not ground elder! The ivy has been allowed to cover the ground as well as the fence along with the brambles. Herb robert & creeping buttercup too!

Add comment | Report
johanna Tue 26-Jun-12 11:40:27

nanaej ,
Looking at the size of this bed - 90 feet by 8 feet - is that right?
If so, that is huge.
Therefore it may be a good idea to get some strong men in, provided you know a good firm. Not cowboys.

Add comment | Report
nanaej Wed 27-Jun-12 06:58:14

I have posted a picture.. I think I over estimated length probably nearer 70' but still a task!! hmm

Add comment | Report
johanna Wed 27-Jun-12 19:40:19

Looked at the picture you posted, yes that is a mammoth task.
I don't know how quickly you want all this done, but maybe you should have a really good think before you decide at all.
Otherwise you will end up with a ( very long ) sloping border against a fence,
which is what you have now, except it will be planted up.
My ,albeit amateur, eye says you should get rid of the straight line.

Add comment | Report
nanaej Wed 27-Jun-12 23:42:40

I have a first stage lay out design plan which a friend, who is a garden designer, did for me but decided to save my money for plants rather than commission her to do a planting plan as well!

Page 1 of 1
Flip | Customise