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Clearing overgrown hedge

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  • 17-02-2011 1:13pm
    #1
    Chipbutty
    Registered Users Posts: 70 ✭✭


    Have just moved house and the hedge is very overgrown, have started trimming it back but the ground is very unsightly with dead grass and ivy. What is the best way to treat this ground to bring on some growth?
    Inexperineced gardener so any advice would help.

    Thanks


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    #2
    Thanos
    Registered Users Posts: 1,389 ✭✭✭Thanos


    The main issue here seems to be light!
    Grass going yellow/brown and dying is a common ressult of trees or hedges growing over and blocking the light from the grass.

    You are half way to fixing the problem, by cutting back the hedge the light can now get down to the ground better. You will also need to pull out as much (all if possible) of the ivy as you can. If the ivy is very bad you may need to use a weed killer on it.
    To help it along you could use a fork to airate the soil a bit and use a rake to clear away some of the dead grass (and moss if there) This will also loosen the ground and you can then spread some grass seed and pat it down with the back of a spade or the like.


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    #3
    Chipbutty
    Registered Users Posts: 70 ✭✭Chipbutty


    Thanos wrote: »
    The main issue here seems to be light!
    Grass going yellow/brown and dying is a common ressult of trees or hedges growing over and blocking the light from the grass.

    You are half way to fixing the problem, by cutting back the hedge the light can now get down to the ground better. You will also need to pull out as much (all if possible) of the ivy as you can. If the ivy is very bad you may need to use a weed killer on it.
    To help it along you could use a fork to airate the soil a bit and use a rake to clear away some of the dead grass (and moss if there) This will also loosen the ground and you can then spread some grass seed and pat it down with the back of a spade or the like.

    When is the best time to put down the grass seed?


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    #4
    blackharvester
    Registered Users Posts: 126 ✭✭blackharvester


    you can put down grass seeds on the begin of march


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    #5
    Antiquo
    Registered Users Posts: 290 ✭✭Antiquo


    Chipbutty wrote: »
    Have just moved house and the hedge is very overgrown, have started trimming it back but the ground is very unsightly with dead grass and ivy. What is the best way to treat this ground to bring on some growth?
    Inexperineced gardener so any advice would help.

    Thanks

    What type of hedge is it and how much land have you reclaimed?:)

    Thanos wrote: »
    You will also need to pull out as much (all if possible) of the ivy as you can. If the ivy is very bad you may need to use a weed killer on it.
    To help it along you could use a fork to airate the soil a bit and use a rake to clear away some of the dead grass (and moss if there) This will also loosen the ground and you can then spread some grass seed and pat it down with the back of a spade or the like.

    The best way to remove ivy is get in there with a spade and dig out all of the root completely. I have known fellas to hurt their back pulling ivy as it is quite strong then suddenly breaks. I certainly wouldn't use weedkiller on it particularly since very little actually works on it and second you are going to overspray the hedge and surrounding area.

    If you want to sow grass then wait till ground is dry enough to work and lightly fork over the soil (literally no more than 4"/10cm deep). Sprinkle some general purpose fertiliser or blood, fish and bone meal (very sparingly read the instructions as more is worse not better).
    Get some compost and apply at around 2 buckets per m2 fork this into the soil and level with a rake. If you have a roller and you probably dont roll the ground to compact it slightly. If you don't have a roller then get out and do the duck walk... yes I am serious :D
    What you're trying to do is using your weight shuffle over the ground putting most weight on your heels and compress the area go up and down until the whole area is done. This will ensure your new neighbours think you're nuts and yer backside will be sore for a few days.:D

    Lightly rake and level, spread your grass seed a couple to three handfulls per m2. Your aiming to sow the seed approx 5mm apart so you get some idea of the coverage your aiming for. Lightly rake the area and using the back (flat part of the rake) tamp the surface.
    Sit back and wait for the grass to sprout. Mid March the ground will be damp enough so no need to water but if it is v dry lightly sprinkle/spray the area to keep damp don't blow holes in the ground with the hose.
    First cut when new grass is about 3"/7.5cm+ tall with a rotary mower set at about 2"/5cm no lower. Don't use a cylinder mower as it will tend to pull or lift the young shoots rather than cut it.

    Basically job's OXO :)


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