Weeds and Pests

A large part of our studies in soft landscape specification is the identification and eradication of weeds and pests, a large part of gardening. I am doing research into common weeds and pests and will periodically share what I discover about eradication organically and with chemicals.

Pic from the the wild flower society 

Bind Weed (Calystegia Sepium)
Also Known as Bellbind


Commonly found:


Bind Weed is a common sight and can be found anywhere from herbacious borders, in shrubs, hedgerows and some verieties can be found in long grass or even on bare soil. They use shoots, branches and canes as support, wrapping themselves around any available limb. Although not unattractive, with their heart shaped leaves and trumpet shaped white or pink flowers, they smother and stifle the growth of the plant that supports them - a problem when this is a treasured border!


Hard to get shot of, Bind Weed has long underground roots that grow rapidly, and is capable of growing from a tiny amount of root, which can live underground for years in some cases

Organic Eradication

It is hard to rid yourself of Bind Weed organically as it is persistent, hardy and long living. Your options are limited to:

• Good old digging, hoeing and pulling up all root - removing as much root as you can physically see whist digging over in late autumn can eradicate this weed, but expect it to take a number of years.
• If you think the weed is coming from a neighboring garden or field it may be necessary to sink a physical barrier into the soil

Chemical Eradication

This is the option most commonly used by gardeners and horticulturalists as it is a much quicker solution, and lessons the chance of regrowth next season:

• Residual Chemicals "stick" onto a surface and can be used around once every season. They are suitable to use on the soil itself if no plant is intended to be grown soon after. They can also be used on the base of trees and shrubs, although many gardeners report of "weaker growth" and a "sickening" of plants when the chemical is used in this way
•  Systemic Chemicals are applied directly to the foliage, is absorbed and transported through the plant to the roots. This can be hard to do accurately when the weed has wrapped itself around a "wanted" plant, but can be untangled and spray or pained onto the leaf using a brush

Cultivated Verities

It is worth noting that there are cultivated verities of this common weed that are annual plants. The are admired for their heart shaped leaves and vivid white flower

Dorothy Clive Gardens

Today we visited Dorothy Clive Gardens http://www.dorothyclivegarden.co.uk/ a local public garden based near Nantwich, Cheshire and was originally conceived by one man’s immense love of his wife. The intention of the visit was to measure a large flower bed that the class have the opportunity to redesign. 


......... but I did manage to take a sneaky look round the rest of the garden! 

  

 
 

 

first day back!

First day of college, and we have been given free range on our dissertation and I have had a few thoughts about what I am going to write about.

 I think a combination of being a new member of the “blogesphere” and doing a lot of social networking at work it would make sense for me to do something around how blogs, social networking , forums and how the internet has changed the role of the designer?

Perhaps I could concentrate how it has changed how designers interact with the clients or even how a perspective client views a designer. As you can see I’m not sure which angle to go with – any feedback or thoughts would be much appreciated!

We were also told that the members of my group will have the opportunity to enter a design into the visionary category or next year’s Tatton show! A really exciting thought, I have some initial ideas, and will start sketching concept designs soon. I took part in this year’s Tatton Show, and whilst I’m on the subject I will take the opportunity to upload some of the photos taken…

                                                                                                       



      
                                                           

Some of my artwork

Finding Blogging, and reading other blogs quite addictive already… nobody warned me! My generation have grown up with the internet, but finding using the blog world like learning to walk – there seems to be a different etiquette to say Facebook. I would love any advice from other regular bloggers, I need all the help I can get!

I am using this time before I start college to upload some of my illustrations any feedback would be appreciated – good or bad!

 Received my college timetable and found out what I will be studying later this month:

• Professional project
• Contracts and business marketing
• Contemporary design project
• Planting design
• Specify and establish soft landscapes
• Computer aided design

 Really happy with how the subjects look, especially the professional project, and feel truly relieved that Horticultural science hasn’t made a return!

Harvest in my favorite allotments

Its Autumn, and many crops have already been harvested.


The more hardy plants are coming into their own as we wave goodbye to summer. I think this is a really interesting transitional period in the allotment, and perhaps a time that we don't photograph as much.


I have photographed two of my favorite working allotments today; Granddad Harold's and Uncle Rob's, two very different allotments.

Granddad Harold has tended his allotment for near on 40 years, and my family have grown up eating its produce. It is a true working allotment in the heart of the Cheshire countryside, surrounded by workshops and sheds. This is in complete contrast to Uncle Robs - an allotment created earlier this year in a traditional back garden. 

Enjoy the photographs, let me know what you think, and tell me about your allotment at this time of year!

Granddad looking over his allotment

Introducing the i doodle garden blog

Hello, and thank you for reading my first post!

I’m Jenny, a 21 year old about to embark on my second year of a Landscape and Garden Design foundation degree.

Why write a blog?

Over the summer it has dawned on me that as a student I am rarely in contact with fellow designers, the gardening community or even potential clients. I think a blog is a great way to air my thoughts and ideas on Garden Design to a wider audience and in return I hope receive your advice, ideas and views. 


Gardening Globally

I would love to learn about gardens, garden design, plants and techniques from around the world, and what better way to contact the world then through the net? I'm learning in the UK, so if you do something differently where you are let me know!

What else?

I love drawing flowers and plants, and will be showcasing my illustrations on the blog (see my carnations background, and poppy profile picture!)

What next?

I will begin posting in earnest next week when I start college, so please keep your eye out and happy harvest. In the meantime feel free to add any suggestions as to what you would like to read.