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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Dan Frazer Gardening on April 16, 2011 at 13:30

I take quite a hardline when it comes to weeding, and don't have any clients who tell me I have pulled the wrong thing out, but I only have 2 pensioners on the books which may be a factor!

 

As long as there is a reason for clearing certain areas they accept it and see the benefits.

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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Jen@A&J Owenwindows&gardens on April 16, 2011 at 14:50

I think it might be a factor with the pensioners. Certainly the case with these anyway. The one who wanted everything cleared was a professional lady!

Dan Frazer Gardening said:

I take quite a hardline when it comes to weeding, and don't have any clients who tell me I have pulled the wrong thing out, but I only have 2 pensioners on the books which may be a factor!

 

As long as there is a reason for clearing certain areas they accept it and see the benefits.

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Permalink Reply by Chris Collins on April 16, 2011 at 14:56

In previous jobs I have purposefully left a clump of self seeded primulars only to see one my colleagues hoe them up. Over last 12 years i have been lucky to work alone. I do think self seeders do still have to be managed. Forget me nots and the likes do need to be thinned out a lot to prevent them taking over. 

 

It also depends on the style of a garden. Country gardens should be more forgiving then a pristine clean cut contemporary garden. 

 

I try to go by the philosophy that I will not pull it up unless i can positively identify it as sometimes you find some real gems that have self seeded and if lucky a new variety/cross's can be found. 

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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Jen@A&J Owenwindows&gardens on April 16, 2011 at 15:11

All of them were country style gardens and the aquilegias were definitely an asset - there were just too many of them! Your approach is the same as mine, my 'goal' for less formal gardens is slightly messy control if that makes sense

Chris Collins said:

In previous jobs I have purposefully left a clump of self seeded primulars only to see one my colleagues hoe them up. Over last 12 years i have been lucky to work alone. I do think self seeders do still have to be managed. Forget me nots and the likes do need to be thinned out a lot to prevent them taking over. 

 

It also depends on the style of a garden. Country gardens should be more forgiving then a pristine clean cut contemporary garden. 

 

I try to go by the philosophy that I will not pull it up unless i can positively identify it as sometimes you find some real gems that have self seeded and if lucky a new variety/cross's can be found. 

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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Chris Auld on April 16, 2011 at 17:49

Digitalis purpurea, Aquilegia, Papaver, Alchemilla mollis, Calendula officinalis.....all examples of plants that seed profically and i would rather leave in but are considered weeds by most people. If you leave them in you run the risk of your clients thinking you dont know what your doing but if you take them out you are essentially removing beautiful plants. Its a difficult situation. i try to educate my customers as much as possible but some people just dont care.

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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Jen@A&J Owenwindows&gardens on April 16, 2011 at 18:06

It is difficult. One of our clients has a border which is full of Campanula, Muscari and Calendula which she asks us to weed out - the problem is that they are the only things which are putting the brakes on the ground elder! She is starting to see that it might be best to leave them because even though she views them as weeds its the lesser of two evils if you ask me.

Chris Auld said:

Digitalis purpurea, Aquilegia, Papaver, Alchemilla mollis, Calendula officinalis.....all examples of plants that seed profically and i would rather leave in but are considered weeds by most people. If you leave them in you run the risk of your clients thinking you dont know what your doing but if you take them out you are essentially removing beautiful plants. Its a difficult situation. i try to educate my customers as much as possible but some people just dont care.

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Permalink Reply by claire carter on April 16, 2011 at 21:11

Intresting subject jenny,

 i tend to have a quick look at the border and discuss the potential self seeders or herbal type plants that are within the scheme and ask preference, but if the client isnt in at the time i will leave any established clumps of wild or self seeding planting if i think they look good and complement the existing planted border. i usually make my mind up by asessing the type of garden and property if its old and cottagy i keep the self seeders but if its more formal they get taken out.....

 

i agree with you i love the forget me nots too and they look fab in a stone paving with primulas at the moment i tend to pull the them out when they start to seed as they look a bit straggly then,

 

im pretty lucky  as my customers are happy for me to get on with it after all i am the gardener !! , some have preference but thats to be agreed at the very start of the job,

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Permalink Reply by claire carter on April 16, 2011 at 21:13

I agree with you chris its good to inform, although it can be fustrating at times !!

Chris Auld said:

Digitalis purpurea, Aquilegia, Papaver, Alchemilla mollis, Calendula officinalis.....all examples of plants that seed profically and i would rather leave in but are considered weeds by most people. If you leave them in you run the risk of your clients thinking you dont know what your doing but if you take them out you are essentially removing beautiful plants. Its a difficult situation. i try to educate my customers as much as possible but some people just dont care.

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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Gardens4u.co.uk on April 16, 2011 at 22:35

I try to go by the philosophy that I will not pull it up unless i can positively identify it as sometimes you find some real gems that have self seeded and if lucky a new variety/cross's can be found.

 

as chris says :  u must identify first to make sure................... :)

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Permalink Reply by Brigitt Stevenson on April 17, 2011 at 0:10

Hello Jenny,

 

I have had clients want to keep the dandelions, for the specific reason regarding their health...

Dandelion roots were used to treat liver problems,  to treat kidney disease, swelling, skin problems, heartburn,

and stomach upset, and still so many believe and even use the plants at they young emerging state for salads

and upset stomachs....

 

Like the phrase goes, "A weed to one person could be a rose to another" ...

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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Jen@A&J Owenwindows&gardens on April 17, 2011 at 7:21

I never knew that about dandelions! How interesting!

Thanks everyone for the replies and it seems we all agree - if in doubt - don't pull!

I always say to customers after I've weeded their garden for the first time (and where they haven't been specific) that if in doubt I leave it - and that works most of the time but I hadn't reckoned for dandelions and nettles which shows me in future I must ask about every plant!

Interesting thought about new varieties appearing as well - leaving a 'weed' might unearth a treasure :)

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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Jen@A&J Owenwindows&gardens on April 17, 2011 at 7:24

I love forget me nots mixed with primulas too - we've got a border full of them at the moment. I tend to pull them up like you when they go straggly and then just let them seed themselves. I've tried to introduce pink and white ones but they just get take over by the blue ones!

claire carter said:

Intresting subject jenny,

 i tend to have a quick look at the border and discuss the potential self seeders or herbal type plants that are within the scheme and ask preference, but if the client isnt in at the time i will leave any established clumps of wild or self seeding planting if i think they look good and complement the existing planted border. i usually make my mind up by asessing the type of garden and property if its old and cottagy i keep the self seeders but if its more formal they get taken out.....

 

i agree with you i love the forget me nots too and they look fab in a stone paving with primulas at the moment i tend to pull the them out when they start to seed as they look a bit straggly then,

 

im pretty lucky  as my customers are happy for me to get on with it after all i am the gardener !! , some have preference but thats to be agreed at the very start of the job,

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