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Amanda B. (at Hallgates) writes:

Since moving to the village I have enjoyed all of the villagers’ lovely gardens, and whilst I love living in Parwich, have become homesick for my own cottage garden which I nurtured and left behind before I moved here.

We have a er, ‘nature reserve’ rather than a garden at Hallgates and whilst I can appreciate its charm from a distance, I am unable to get anywhere near it to sort it out at the moment.

Basically, what I’d like to do is clear the whole area of overgrown weeds (including huge nettles, cow parsley and trees left to go a bit mad) and establish a space for vegetables, fruit bushes and a bit of a lawn. The challenge is that the ground is sloping and very densly overgrown.

I have neither green fingers nor lots of money to spend, although I am prepared to put in the time and graft involved. Right now, its growth has slowed – so I feel that maybe I should be dealing with the weeds using a systemic weedkiller, so we can see what we need to chop come the autumn.

Do any gardeners have any ideas on the best way to clear what is, really, a bit of a jungle?

Any suggestions much appreciated!

– Amanda