Grass cleared, crab apple planted

Grasses and bamboo before clearing

Grasses and bamboo

1. Clearing the grass and bamboo.

The first day of September 2013 was a fine, if cool and breezy, Sunday that followed a spell of dry weather. Having felled a large conifer tree earlier in the year, and planted small hollies in its place, the bed where these plants are is becoming a shrub border, making the grasses and bamboos growing there seem out of place. So we decided to clear them out, and replant with a small tree. The bamboo was easy - it was planted in a trug to prevent it spreading. The grass was quite easy - the soil was perfect for crumbling out the roots.

It may be that the fence (which belongs to the neighbour) may be covered by some pyracantha planting in time.

Bindweed roots - an endless battle

Bindweed roots

2. Bindweed.

Bindweed (convolvulus) has been with us since we arrived 28 years ago. All kinds of attempts at eradication have reduced it, but not completely removed it. A look at the roots shows why - some are two feet long, they wind through the roots of other plants, and when you pull them up, if one breaks every tiny fragment regrows. Clearing this area, together with the area where the conifer was, has allowed a lot of root to be lifted, but I am under no illusions that it is all out. Careful observation, glyphosate spraying and some more digging in the future will continue the battle. This lot did not go on the compost heap!

A tangle of roots that had to come out

Cleared periwinkle, rhubarb, grass

3. Grass, periwinkle and rhubarb

Vinca minor is not a weed, but a plant I actually put in myself years ago. It is a good ground cover, with lovely blue and white flowers in spring, and some variegated leaves. But it loves to spread, and again delights in getting mixed up in the roots of other plants. I dug it out of this area, though left it in others, knowing that it will come back across the area, and will need thinning out yet again in a year or three.

A large stand of rhubarb has been at the back of this border for ever. I divided it earlier this year, and replanted in the vegetable plot. The roots of what remained are enormous - seen at the front of this pile. Soft and rotten in parts, it was time it came out.

Ornamental crab apple planted

Malus Sun Rival

4. Crab apple.

Having cleared the area, we decided on a small tree for the site, probably with some underplanting of small shrubs later on. A Malus Sun Rival was chosen and purchased from Poets Cottage in Lealholm, on the North York Moors. With a weeping habit, a height and spread of three metres, blossom in spring and red berries in autumn, it should do well here.

An enjoyable and productive day's work.