Herbaceous Borders trampled by workmen

Hello all

I need a little advice if possible?

I recently had a Patio, Paving and Lawn Edging laid and now I have had the opportunity to walk on the new Paving, I have been able to check the Borders and have noticed that some areas of the Borders have been walked over.

The garden was fully planted last September and this will be its first growing season.

The plants have not grown in those areas yet, they are Herbaceous Perennials so the Landscapers probably thought there was nothing there, still, they could of asked.

Anyway, will the plants in the areas that have been walked over still grow (recover) and is there anything I can do to help it do so?

Thanks in advance

Kevin

 

Hi,

Think we would leave it alone as any digging is more likely to damage any new shoots emerging.

If your soil has some clay in it and is prone to creating a tough crust when it dries out ? then worth watering it to keep the surface soft as the new shoots push though.

Once all the plants come up and you can see where they are then a light folking and some mulch and feed should help.

 

Hello @ricky101

Thanks for the reply and advice.

The soil is a Sandy Loam so there should be no issue with a crust forming, hopefully,

Hopefully they all recover.

Thanks

Kevin

 

Hello @shiney

I pay out for the Patio, Paving and the Edging and then spend more on fixing the issues afterwards, all fun :(

The plants affected are all Herbaceous Perennials so have died back to below ground level over the Winter which is why they probably thought it was fine to walk over the area.

True about arguing the point, however, when the owner came he actually told them to stay off the borders as there was no reason for them to walk over them.

Hopefully, the plants will recover, the most affected area is around the Water Feature where there are water loving plants.

The annoying thing is, one of many, is that out of the 105 plants that were planted last September, there are still some I do not know and will have to wait until they grow to find out.

Thanks

Kevin

 

Hello @shiney

When the Garden Designer came initially she knew my circumstances and therefore we discussed my requirements, Colour, Scent, Bird and Wildlife Friendly etc. and then built the plan around that.

I am happy with what she said about the planting so it is now a wait and see.

I could of had a Plan drawn up showing all the plants etc. but it would of cost £500.00 just for the Plan to be done, so....

As it was the Planting cost £1500 which is a large amount for me.

As for identifying the Plants, thanks, although I think I may be Banned if I post photos of 105 plants in the Identification Section

I do know quite a few but there are still some I am unsure of.

As I have stated before, I would like to maintain the garden myself as much as I am able but not knowing what some of the plants are makes that somewhat difficult,

Thanks

Kevin

 

Hello @shiney

Thanks, I shall post some photos once the plants start growing.

Kevin

 

I agree with ricky101, as long as they were good quality plants, and they should be for £1500, they will be fine, they maybe a little slower to emerge due to the compacted soil, a designer should of factored in all year round interest, so some may not show, for another few weeks, to flower later in summer and autumn. I dont think you will be banned for uploading photos, as everyone on the forum, likes to help, and of course get the old brain juices flowing to show off the plant knowledge here.

 

Hello @Cuttings

Thanks for the reply.

You are correct in saying that the planting was designed in such a way as to provide year long interest and also to cover as much soil area as possible.

I am still trying to clear up a few things around the garden from the work, mainly excess soil comprising of gravel, cement chips etc.

I shall be uploading photos as and when the planting grows and preferably when they flower to make identification easier, hopefully.

Thanks

Kevin

 

We have workmen come by from time to time to do whatever. when a job calls for a ladder to be positioned outside in the garden area to get to the roof (for example) BEFORE the ladder is unloaded I am outside saying to them, don't put it there, or there, put it here. I leave nothing to chance. My husbands says, well they will know already, I look at him and say "will they?" If they think I am a bitch, so be it, not getting my plants hurt. Few years ago, in the spring time, my sister-in-law was visiting, she was leaving the front door walking out on the normal huge cement platform to later the steps to get to the below walkway. What did she do step off onto my new emerging hostas that flank the platform they were about 3 inches high. they survived, but how stupid is that just follow the walkway.

 

Hello @redstar

Sorry for the delay in replying.

I agree completely, I had to cancel the window cleaners as they just walked all over the garden borders to get to the windows even though I had pointed out where they should and should not step.

Some people just do not seem to have any thought for plants etc.

Everything seems to be recovering except two plants that I am going to have to keep an eye on, a Clematis 'Nelly Moser' which has just disappeared and a Hosta that is not showing any sprouts currently, however, I was told they do not usually show until Late Spring, so middle to late April, hopefully it will show some signs of life soon.

I am still trying to clear gravel etc. from the borders, unfortunately, even if I put all the debris in rubble sacks there is no way I can easily dispose of it.

I may end up just filling multiple rubble sacks and then once things return to some form of normality, order a small skip.

Thanks

Kevin

 

I certainly wouldn't write the hosta off just yet - I've got about 15 different types in various pots and beds, and while some are already starting to unfurl the first few leaves, others haven't even stuck their noses up yet.

 

Hello @2nd_bassoon

Thanks for the reply.

I keep checking the area where the Hosta is, or was, on a daily basis, obsessive anyone, and there is no signs yet

I will keep checking, hopefully it will show soon.

Thanks

Kevin