In May, Jim Cable suggests removing weeds before laying gravel, starting a show-stopping container display for summer and experimenting with herbal teas
Can I make a plea that if you are laying gravel, you ensure perennial weeds such as brambles and bindweed are completely removed beforehand? I’ve had clients place too much faith in a permeable membrane. Residual pieces of weed have an uncanny knack of sprouting and finding a way to the light under the fabric’s edge or through a planting hole. You are denied the satisfaction of sinking a fork in to tease out the offender. The membrane serves as protector. In one case, by the time I came to the rescue there was a mat of bindweed roots lurking underneath and the whole area had to be refurbished. Badly installed landscape fabric with flaps appearing through the gravel can be both an eyesore and a trip hazard.
I question whether membrane is needed at all and in my own garden rely on just the layer of stones, which makes a lovely backdrop to plants, conserves soil moisture and reduces weeding. Compared to a lawn, gravel areas are low maintenance, but not no maintenance. Now is a good time to check them. You’ll almost certainly find seedlings from surrounding plants. Some can be left in situ, but use a hand fork to lift others worth moving or potting up. Then move onto those seedlings you don’t want to mature – whatever you declare as weeds.
A laissez-faire attitude towards self-seeders leads to a natural feel. If you crave some summer artifice, and gardens are by definition man-made, I suggest over-filling a large container with tender perennials to create a showstopper. I am using an old galvanised water tank this year. Having drilled drainage holes into its base, I filled it three-quarters full of three parts home-made compost and one part well-rotted horse manure. I need a rich growing medium because my centrepiece will be a brugmansia – a notoriously hungry plant.
The brugmansia was overwintered in a cool conservatory. I have gradually accustomed it to being outdoors again and, once frosty nights have passed, I’ll plant it in the centre back of the tank and
