Lavender And Rosemary Replace The Grass

The Banks (Before)

In August 2014 the project to replace the grass on the banks began. The banks had previously been returfed in September 2009 but following an infestation of meadow grass the decision was made to kill off the grass and reseed. The whole process took two months, see the following blog entries for the complete story:
15th August 2014 'Killing Off The Grass On The Banks',
28th August 2014 'Respraying The Grass On The Banks',
15th September 2014 'Grass Seed and Horticultural Fleece',
26th September 2014 'Unveiling The New Grass On The Banks',
10th October 2014 'The First Cut Of The Banks'.

This hard work to improve the quality of grass on the banks was, however, in vain as just 12 months later, at the end of the summer of 2015, the grass was hit with the fungal disease 'leaf spot' and, after treatment with a fungicide in the following spring, they were back under under fleece again, see blog entry 8th March 2016 'Leaf Spot, Melting Out and Horticultural Fleece'. 

 

The Banks (Before)

For four years the grass on the banks has been causing Joss problem after problem and, following a number of discussions with Simon, it was agreed that two sections of grass would be removed and replaced with lavender and rosemary. 

Removing The Grass On The First Section

The plants from Branch Nurseries, 130 Lavandula angustifolia 'Vera' and 40 Rosmarinus officinalis 'Roman Beauty'  were delivered three weeks ago and have been waiting in the gardener's nursery area for their big day. Last week two three metre wide sections of grass from either side of the central steps were removed using turf irons in preparation for their planting, some of the plants were placed out to get an idea of the possible spacings. 

Removing The Grass To The Guide Line

Lavender and Rosemary

Positioning The Shrubs, Possible Spacings

Removing The Grass On The Second Section

A Slight Delay

The rosemary were planted in to the newly exposed soil last Friday and, after a slight delay due to snow fall over the weekend, the lavender were placed out and planted today. Due to the angle of the slope, in order to stop the plants from rolling down the banks, pea sticks were used to support each of the plants until they were planted, by lunch time all the lavender and rosemary were in.  

Planting The First Section

Planting Section Two

Placing Out The Lavender For Planting

Preventing The Lavender From Rolling Down The Slope Before Planting

The Banks (After)

The Banks (After)