Beware planting ivy & conifers.

The Holly hedge was already in place when we moved here and since it is down the edge of the Lane alongside us, I am not even sure it belongs to us. Certainly would not have chosen it myself.

 

Hi,

It's only in recent years I've noticed how out of control our ivy has become; when you see something day in day out it's not really noticed and replacing our bungalow roof and sewer etc has been more important; we'd have been quicker demolishing the bungalow and starting from scratch.

We've lived here 36 years and now at last are getting on top of jobs; the gardens are now receiving lots of attention but it's not easy; last year I felled and disposed of 16 huge trees; in August this year disposed of a huge oak tree; I've dug out eight of the big stumps and created another wildflower meadow in the middle of the garden. Last year in August I carried out subsidence repairs when our two roomed rear extension broke free of the main bungalow; insurance companies are excellent accepting money with speed but I found it quicker doing the repairs myself than hanging on the phone whilst aging.

Just clearing one patch of ivy has so far involved taking 16 bin bags to the tip; it's still not clear but with lots of hospital appointments and general household chores it all takes a great deal of time; this morning BT are due to install their equipment because after over 30 years with Virgin Media we've had enough. Another hospital appointment tomorrow plus shopping; there's always jobs to be done; I've been retired 22 years and still find it difficult to spend any time in the studio learning to play my violins.

Thanks @lolimac ivy can be good but as a number of members state it does need to be kept under control; having time to keep it under control can be a problem though. Conifers tend to be slow growing at first; if they put on 10% height each year 10% isn't much on a 4' tall conifer but 10% on a 60' tall conifer is considerable; these things aren't always noticed until they finally get our attention.

This small section of our garden is taking a great deal of work to clear; there are big buried stones which made my spade ring as it hit them also the two conifer stumps to remove; couch grass is yet another problem as are Cleavers every year; I doubt I'll ever get fully on top of all the ongoing maintenance our bungalow and gardens demand; I'm running to stand still but I'll stick with it.

Thanks everyone for your interesting replies.

Kind regards, Colin.

 

Glad that you have managed to do so much already. Keep running!

 

Ivy gets my vote as an indispensable wildlife plant. We live in an urban area and the mass of mature ivy between the rectangle of our terraced houses is an incredible haven for birds and insects.

Thankfully everybody around enjoys it rather than tries to fight it, we all trim according to our needs/ preferences but the central mass is left. Only one relatively new family is trying to get their bit Ivy free (with considerable effort), but then again their garden style is very modern with fake grass etc. I think Ivy will win

Birds nest in the thicket, bees love the nectar and butterflies ignore everything else when the Ivy flowers mature. Birds eat the berries. Creepycrawlies overwinter in it. What a gift bang in the suburbs

Photos from today, there must have been dozens of butterflies.

 

Fabulous Pics @Selleri

@Retired....absolutely agree ,one minute Ilook at the Ivy and think that looks marvellous then before I know it I'm having to hack it back before it covers the windows ... it certainly keeps us on our toes

 

I couldn't have it on the house, it would freek me out.
When i was little i used to have nightmares about ivy on the house and it came into the house and covered everything and us, It turned out that it was the ivy wallpaper that was doing it.

 

I find that Ivy hides numerous Snails.

 

Flowers on mature branches smell like an old toilet (that outdoor hole that used to be buried after full). Remembering this from my early childhood

 

Hi,

Light showers forecast this afternoon so we've just enjoyed powerful gusts of wind and it's bucketed down with rain; I had to hide in the garden hut for ten minutes; when I came out of the hut I tidied up with raking but now each time there was a breeze I received a heavy downpour from the oak tree above me; as I walked around I was becoming taller with soil sticking to my wellies; what fun here on the valley side; now I'm indoors I'm blinded by the sun. The Met office forecast for us is always a joke.


A huge difference; now I can see soil.

I intended digging out the conifer stumps but think this time I'll just use the chainsaw to cut them below ground level.

This paving flag made its presence known when the spade made solid contact with it rattling my teeth; there were also large buried stones.

Another view; the low wall had fallen over so I rebuilt it but had to quit; everything was soaking wet making it unpleasant in the garden. My wonderful wife loves Potentilla's so I think two will fit here nicely with perhaps Cerastium ground cover. It's been hard work and not yet finished.

Kind regards, Colin.

 

Looking good Colin.

 

Hi,

Thanks Logan.

Car windscreen iced up this morning at 6:30 as I set off to the supermarket.

10:30 I put on my conflict gear and headed into the garden a guy on a mission; two conifer stumps were in my sights; exactly on midday the two stumps are out ready for the tip.


These didn't fit into my plans.

Removing wall stones gave better access for the trolley jack.

Stump out just to replace the wall stones and tidy up.

Ready for the tip.

I had a little helper.

Inspecting the work in progress.

Almost ready to create a new garden area.

A big heather and a shrub are casualties but now add to trips to the tip.

It's been hard work clearing this patch of garden but better than being idle in front of the TV.

Kind regards, Colin.

 

Those little helpers are great in the garden, aren't they Colin. I have one as well, as soon as i get into the garden there he is watching me.

 

Good grief Colin! You really need to change your alias - @Retired is totally a lie - you are working so hard. And succeeding! Can I borrow you please?

 

Hi,

Many thanks @CarolineL Yes for me retirement is just a continuation of hard work and it never lets up. 36 years so far trying to get on top and here I go again on another section of overgrown garden. I did another trip to the tip very early this morning and have just come out of the garden again wet with sweat.


In August I took down a huge oak tree which towered over our bungalow the stump see here and this stump will remain; I've had more than enough getting big stumps out. In August this area was covered in thick sawdust from the chainsaw but already it's overgrown.

I've started taking all this out but it's hard work.

Bottom view from patio.

A distance view

The unwanted pedal bin in use for filling bin bags it's bottom removed.

Today's hard graft but something to show for it; lots of small stumps and buried stones etc; I strimmed it first.

The next few days are forecast heavy rain so I'll be grounded but I'll force myself into the studio to practice violin playing.

Sorry to let you down @CarolineL I'm already running flat out just to stand still; I've just been to look at the top meadow and it's like a field of grass; it needs rotavating again; as I try to get on top in one section the rest is growing behind my back; what fun I have every day but it keeps me fit; I'm 6' tall and built like a stick insect at just over 10 stones; I must be one of very few when visiting the surgery to be suggested I put some weight on.

Kind regards, Colin.

 

Colin you'll soon be on top of things.