skip to main content

New England Gardening

Spring Clean-Up

8 years ago

As the years go by, and my energy diminishes, I've kinda, sorta not raked leaves out of my beds and borders. They're mostly oak, and I could use more acidity. It looks awful until the plants fill out. Because of the yard's terrain I have to hand-carry bags of mulch out back. Last year I weed-wacked garbage cans full of leaves and spread those. Does anyone have any other ideas to keep the weeds downs?

Featured Answer

moliep

8 years ago

Years ago, I would have spread layers of newspapers or cardboard around plantings and mulched over, but who buys newspapers now? Gone are the days of two newspaper deliveries each day in our house.

And once upon a time, we weeded away for hours in our long, sunny gardens and spent a fortune buying yards of mulch to place between plants because my dh loved the look of plants set apart from their neighbors and surrounded by mulch.

However, with retirement we've taken a different approach. We put things that grow tall and more upright at the back of the gardens, stagger things that are more full at the mid-level, and things that spread near the front. The front of the garden is also where we put annuals, with lots of volunteer Verbena bonariensis spreading happily in between it all ... kind of a crowded English-garden approach. There are still weeds, but they're just harder to see. Here are some photos to show what I mean.

Near the river, lots of sedums and spreaders are in the drier part of the garden.

Along the fence in the back, taller plants intermingle with grasses.

We also have evergreens in the garden to take up space and give texture.

Molie

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

barrett001
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Molie, I LOVE your garden arrangement! We lived many years in England and the typical "English garden" look is exactly what I'm aiming for here in coastal New England. But I'm finding it surprisingly difficult to adjust my gardening instincts. (Everything's different--soil, rainfall, wind, critters who eat my plants....)

You've succeeded brilliantly at what I'm aiming for.... What an inspiration!
Related Discussions
Spring clean up already
Q
Comments (2)
Just try to enjoy it. Keep up with the weeding and watering. Watch for slugs and beetles. Every year is different and presents different problems and joys. My flowers are beautiful this year, veggies have done well. This intense heat isn't helping but I get into the garden whenever I can. Have fun!
...See More
Spring clean up when you can't burn
Q
Comments (4)
I probably have about 1000 square feet of native perennials, mostly strong, tall prairie plants, spread over several beds. I am in an older suburb and burning is out of the question. In the spring, it's relatively easy to break down the stems close to ground level and either carry or rake them off the beds. Grab a handful of stalks close to ground level and bend them--do not pull, because some shallower-rooted plants will come right out of the ground. I pile last year's growth and fallen leaves onto a tarp, drag it away, and then compost all of it. I work on a small area at a time. I can't say that the entire job is enjoyable, but I do enjoy uncovering the new growth, reconnecting with the plants, weeding, and moving things around in the different beds. I should mention that I'm close to 60. I do exercises to strengthen my back muscles, especially this time of the year! I finished the whole job yesterday, and now I am really enjoying the gardens. Here is a link that might be useful: follow me on twitter
...See More
Spring clean up
Q
Comments (1)
Sorry I didn't realize I was in the wrong forum until I hit post.
...See More
FOTESS: MARCH 2022 - Spring Clean Up and Green Up
Q
Comments (122)
I was outside planting seeds and checked mailbox before coming in. Wow it must be Christmas. Look what Susan sent. I love all of it. I've never grown Acidanthera before, but will definitely get these planted tomorrow. I love black eyed susan vine but it never makes seeds for me so I don't usually have any. And all the other stuff will really come in handy with my planting. Thank you so much.
...See More
moliep
8 years ago
Barrett001, thanks, but it's been a lot of trial and error. Our garden has changed over the last 13 years. It's taken us a long time to "understand" our yard and what will grow well here. The back faces west and gets tremendous sun. The front faces east and is shaded by oak trees across the street. We lived along a tidal river, which affects moisture and encourages geese. So we had to work with all those factors. I guess that learning your yard is the best tip to growing the garden you want.

For us, it's always been a maintenance issue. The one thing that really, really helped was that my dh put in a sprinkler system in the front and back. This helped both the gardens and the lawn. It eliminated dragging out hoses. Now we can water deeply and less frequently and also earlier in the morning.
homegrowninthe603
8 years ago
So pretty, Molie. Lovely to look at, especially since it's snowing here today!

Susan
lucyd_58
Original Author
8 years ago
Very lovely! Thanks. I'd forgotten that I've been adding newspapers under the leaves in my shrub border. That works wonders. Maybe I'll just keep it going everywhere else. I'm always afraid of it reducing some lovely volunteers and stopping spreading that I find desirable.
NHBabs z4b-5a NH
8 years ago
I find that mulch/newspaper or cardboard under mulch or mulch alone reduces volunteer seedlings, but doesn't seem to slow down plants that spread via roots. So I decide where I want the seedlings and sprinkle seeds as they ripen in the summer and fall, and just don't mulch those areas.

Once the density of plants increases to where it is like Molie's, the amount of time spent weeding goes way down, though there often will still be a fair number of tiny tree seedlings that I try to remove early by scuffling the mulch on a dry day.

Molie, I always enjoy your garden photos!

Related Stories

HOUSEKEEPING Choose Your Own Spring Cleaning Plan

By Laura Gaskill

Instead of trying to do it all, pick one of these six cleaning approaches that’s right for you now

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: Tools and Accessories for Inspired Spring Cleaning

By Justine Hand

You'll be happy to roll up your sleeves and get to work cleaning around the home with these accoutrements at the ready

FALL GARDENING 7 Reasons Not to Clean Up Your Fall Garden

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Before you pluck and rake, consider wildlife, the health of your plants and your own right to relax

HOUSEKEEPING Clean Up Your Cleanup Zones

By Laura Gaskill

Make chore time more pleasant by tidying up your laundry room and updating cleaning tools

KITCHEN DESIGN Spring Clean Your Kitchen

By Vanessa Brunner

Scour our 15 ways to ditch the dirt and get rid of the gunk, leaving your kitchen spick and span in time for spring

SHOP HOUZZ Shop Houzz: Deep-Clean Your Home for Spring

Everything you need to clean the dirtiest spaces in your home

0

HOUSEKEEPING 20 Things You Might Be Forgetting to Spring-Clean

By Laura Gaskill

Clean these often-neglected areas and your house will look and feel better

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Spring Checklist: Freshen Up Your Home's Curb Appeal

By Laura Gaskill

Step outside and use these tips to show off your home to its best advantage this spring

DECORATING GUIDES How to Spruce Up Your Neutrals for Spring

By Lara Sargent

We love our neutrals, but with spring in the air, they might just need a little lift

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Spring Patio Fix-Ups: 12 Wonderful Ways With Planters

By Laura Gaskill

Change the look of your whole patio with just a few thoughtfully placed containers or a trellis brimming with greenery

Sponsored

More Discussions

David Austin roses in Massachusetts

46

Remember the Blizzard of '78?

10

Spring is happening eventually

4

Planting under deer eaten rhododendrons

2

Show Us Your Landscape and Gardens - A Photo Thread April 2024

14