Clearing ground for a new hedge.

[Scarlet]

I've got an area that has had some old shrubs in that is smothered in ivy, and the ground full of ground elder. Every year, I just cut it back and let it do its thing as I didn't want to expose the old rotten fence. This year I've decided to tackle it as its really got out of hand. I've had a man in with his power tools and he's in the process of taking it all out and cutting down to the ground.
I want a hedge (maybe taxus?) how best to prepare the ground i can't really get a fork in it. What would you do?

[rary]

Why dont you get someone in with a paraffin burner to go over the ground, then cover it with weed suppresing membrain or some material that will rot after acouple of years cut a x in the material plant through it, as long as you have a small area for the roots they make their own way into the soil.

[Scarlet]

THanks Rary, never thought about a burner. OH says use weed killer I'm feeling bad enough clearing an area that attracted the birds I thought maybe I could cover with thick newspapers then the weed membrane, just wanted others to give me a few tips.
Looks like I've a big job tomorrow

[Guest]

THanks Rary, never thought about a burner. OH says use weed killer I'm feeling bad enough clearing an area that attracted the birds I thought maybe I could cover with thick newspapers then the weed membrane, just wanted others to give me a few tips.
Looks like I've a big job tomorrow

It would annoy me but I wouldn't be to quick to plant it up again. I would want the ground to recover and make sure I got rid of the ivy and ground elder. So would smother for as long as I could bear it. Also get some goodness back in the soil.

[Scarlet]

I've learnt to live with ground elder. When I first got here I covered over and it just popped it's up the other side of the cover. If I dig it it looks great for a couple of weeks and then it comes back with a vengeance the ivy is matted here, so it's probably worth waiting. Though I'm loath to give it any longer than Autumn, I also suffer with impatience and this is why its taken me so long to tackle it - I knew I wouldn't get a quick fix when it came down. I loved the screen it provided.

[ioan]

Hi scarlet
looking at the photo's you posted looks like there is a path or lane with some dry stone edging.
Well here goes, in my view there is only one way to tackle this job ands thats to get a digger on that path
take out the dry stone wall, then completely clear the area you need to plant up with the machine, replace the stone
and rotavate if necessary along the hedge line.
By the time its all ready for planting up, it will be near enough bare root time for the taxus bringing the cost down,and that l think would be the perfect choice for your hedge.
l reckon a half decent machine driver would do his bit in a day, so ask around, keep your eyes open for someone doing
a bit of excavation nearby and offer them a days work.
Try and be patient, do it once and do it proper...
kindest regards
ioan

[jackarmy]

" I've had a man in with his power tool"

Ok, slightly altered the quote maybe and apologies in advance but i couldnt help myself

[rary]

I've learnt to live with ground elder. .

Scarlet we need some positive thinking on this job, think about using the ground elder as a food plant..... its sure to die off then

[Scarlet]

Rary, I've tried to eat it...it truly is revolting. If you want to try it, I'll post some Yuk!

[Scarlet]

Try and be patient, do it once and do it proper...
kindest regards
ioan

I think I need some patience

[veggiechicken]

I wouldn't plant taxus as its toxic to animals. Taxus baccata, yew - THE POISON GARDEN website

[Noosner]

No advice, Scarlet, just GOOD LUCK

[Scarlet]

I know it's poisonous VC, there are many poisonous plants in my garden. Obviously some more than others, I grew foxgloves and monkshoods when the kids were little. They need education. Obviously I can't train animals not to eat it but I think Rhodies/azaleas are also toxic to cattle. I have a yew hedge already and it is favoured by blackbirds, they nest in it every year. They eat the berries and the toxic seeds get dispersed, I often have little yews popping up. Have a read of some good reviews, I think it depends where you plant it.
Yew (Taxus baccata) - British trees - Woodland Trust

[veggiechicken]

I knew you'd know, Scarlet, but I wasn't sure how close it would be to livestock and didn't want anything awful to happen to them - or Stan and the chooks.
There used to be an Irish Yew in the front garden here - which has self seeded in the back garden, on the hedge line, right in the middle of the camellias It was huge before I even noticed it!

[Scarlet]

OH has also questioned it cos Stan likes sticks it's on a pathway, well away from chickens and cows. I want something dense for birds to nest in. I've also been looking at beech but I'm not keen as it looses it's leaves - more to clean up. I've got loads of little yews in pots ready to go so it would also save my pennies.