Rocks are well-suited for verges as they add a sense of stability to the landscape and provide something solid for the plants around them. And not forgetting that lizards love them too.
With some consideration for your community and mindfulness for aesthetics, you can create an easy to maintain and attractive verge garden that will have any Ward Counsellor smiling.
Rocks allow for a different form of gardening – rock gardens. Delicate alpine-type plants are perfect for this type of landscaping. Their small and fragile features soften the hard rock, offering a safe haven for insects.
Homeowners, however, tend to overuse rocks, especially pebbles. The gleaming white stones entice homeowners to liberally cover their verges in pebbles. Initially, these may look neat and pretty but they require hard work to maintain.
Generally, after a while, grass and weeds start growing through the mass of pebbles and the untidy mess is often left unkempt – recreating the original scene of a brown, dying verge.
Another popular form of ‘mass covering’ is chip stone. ‘When in doubt, use chip stone’ seems like a motto many homeowners gravitate towards. However, the key to well-rounded rock verges is preparation.
Preparing the ground
Kill off all the existing grass and weeds by either digging up clods of grass and roots or using a broad-spectrum grass killer.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and remember to spray on a windless day. Wear protective gear and be aware of fish pond proximity, animals and pets and whether the wind suddenly picks up.
Once the waiting period is over, remove all the dead grass and rake the top layer of soil, removing any large stones and enough soil to leave a depth of about three to five centimetres for the chip stone. Once you’re done, level the soil as best you can.
Rocks are well-suited for verges as they add a sense of stability to the landscape and provide something solid for the plants around them. And not forgetting that lizards love them too.
Put down enough black plastic sheeting to cover the entire area and curl up the edges. You can buy the plastic at any of the larger nurseries or at prominent hardware stores. Once completed, determine where you want your plants and cut holes in the plastic. Dig up the holes, water and compost each plant well and throw the chip stone on top of the plastic. Level it out. Trim the excess plastic from around the edges.
If you want to continue planting as time goes on, you only need to choose your spot, scrape away some chip stone, cut another hole, dig up the hole and insert the plant, water and compost well and replace the chip stone. The plastic will act as a barrier for any regrowth, making weeding easier. However, you’ll still need to keep your eye on those weeds.
With some consideration for your community and mindfulness for aesthetics, you can create an easy to maintain and attractive verge garden that will have any Ward Counsellor smiling.
Happy gardening!
SOURCE: www.property24.com
