Maximising space!

[Tripmeup]

So, got a bit of a brainwave yesterday (maybe)
Was looking at where and what I am going to sow this year and as always, was thinking I need more room!!
So then it hit me….( I told the kids to stop throwing the ball at me

Having moved into my newly built house in August 2010, I got cracking with the hedging late last year…
I got a trench dug all around the perimeter of the site and so far have 3 of the 4 sides completed with either Laurel or Beech..
The side not done is the back of my house which is fenced with post and rail fencing and a nice field on the other side.
I am thinking I might leave it until late 2012 to finish it (not too pushed tbh as had enough of backache for a while with the other 3 sides!!)

So, I now have about 20m of perimeter with a trench dug to 2/3 feet and the soil taken out running along the trench also. So not liking to waste space, I am now thinking that both could be used for a bit of growing until I put in the last of the hedge next November/December…. (dont tell herself )

Couple of considerations…..Obviously, I am not going to fill the trench in so whatever I sow/plant in it will be a small bit below the lawn level but don’t think that should matter…?? The clay running along the trench obviously differs in depth and quality psooibly from place to place, so nothing too deep rooted can go on this I suppose..

The trench already has had manure added with some soil then added to cover it, so I am thinking Onions, shallots etc…In fact I have already lobbed some sets in yesterday…!! Would peas/beans be an idea here too if I could get some support off the existing fence (have to watch that the cows in the field can't get at them tho

Any ideas for the clay mound running along the trench in terms of throwing something at it and not having to finely rake it for stones etc ?? I don’t mind doing a bit with it, but as I will only have it this season, no point in overdoing it..

All thoughts welcome..!!

[veggiechicken]

First thought - Why are you planting laurel and beech hedging when you could grow an edible hedge?

[Jeanied]

Broadies, spuds, runners and climbing french all spring to mind. If I had a manured space I'd shove climbing courgettes and squashes in as well, probably after the first early spuds and first flush of broadies are over.

[Tripmeup]

First thought - Why are you planting laurel and beech hedging when you could grow an edible hedge?

Hmmm...never even considered it....examples please? (although too late for 3 sides...I aint taking it out....!!)

[Tripmeup]

Broadies, spuds, runners and climbing french all spring to mind. If I had a manured space I'd shove climbing courgettes and squashes in as well, probably after the first early spuds and first flush of broadies are over.

thanks Jeanied..was shying away from Potatoes as I dont want to fill in trench thru earthing up etc...I don't want to have to re-dig the trench

[veggiechicken]

Hmmm...never even considered it....examples please? (although too late for 3 sides...I aint taking it out....!!)

If you need to keep cattle away from your garden, something spiky, like sloes, dogroses or hawthorn? I have a feeling that laurel may be poisonous for cattle anyway. If the cattle aren't going to be leaning over your fence, you could grow any fruit bush that takes your fancy!

[Kaiya]

Or all three (you should have room with 20m) - then you can make rosehip jelly, sloe gin and hawthorne sauce. I've seen a plan for an edible hedge somewhere recently... Ah! found it Gardener's World Feb issue. Except it's a plan for a wildlife hedge rather than an edible one. Of their plan only hawthorn, blackthorne (sloes), crab apple and rose are edible, but hazel would give you pea sticks?

EDIT except of course hazel is edible also, as long as you get there before the squirrels.

[Tripmeup]

If you need to keep cattle away from your garden, something spiky, like sloes, dogroses or hawthorn? I have a feeling that laurel may be poisonous for cattle anyway. If the cattle aren't going to be leaning over your fence, you could grow any fruit bush that takes your fancy!

Ah I see what you mean!! But on the bright side, I am already in the process of putting one of those in
It will divide my lawn from the vegetable garden...I have so far planted redcurrant, gooseberry, blackcurrant and blackberry bushes

If I grew these along the fence, I think the cattle might eat all my potential crops I will think about hawthorn or such although the kids might not like that..!!