A weeding service for Brockham borders

Hand weeding, mulching and planting for cottage borders and family beds around the village.

A regular weeding service in Brockham earns its keep in late spring, when bindweed and couch grass pick up speed and a tidy border can turn into a tangle in three weeks. We weed by hand, fork out the roots of the perennial weeds and sharpen the edges so the bed reads properly against the lawn.

Borders are where Brockham’s two soils show most. Clay beds south of the Mole are rich but sticky. Sandier beds north of it are easy to dig and quick to dry. We plant and mulch to suit whichever you’ve got.

A weeding service for heavy Brockham clay

Border maintenance on clay is mostly about timing. Clay is fertile, and roses, asters and hardy geraniums generally love it. It’s also slow to warm up and heavy to work when wet, so we don’t trample around in beds in February. We mulch in late autumn or early spring with well-rotted organic matter, which opens the clay up over a few years and keeps weeds down. Perennials that have formed a tight, congested clump get lifted and split in autumn or spring, and the spare pieces can go elsewhere in the garden.

Planting for the sandier gardens north of the river

Up Kiln Lane and Brockham Lane the soil over the greensand drains freely and dries out quickly. Lavender, salvias, rosemary and other sun lovers are happy there, and thirsty plants struggle. We’d plant in autumn so roots get a winter in before summer, then mulch thickly to hold water. Seasonal bedding and bulbs go in for spring and summer colour, and containers are looked after as part of the visit.

Borders & Planting in Brockham: your questions

Anything else, just ring. You’ll speak to the people who do the work.

How often does a border need weeding?

In May and June, every two weeks keeps on top of it. For the rest of the year monthly is usually enough. Leave it six weeks in early summer and you’re looking at a clearance rather than a weed.

Do you use weedkiller on borders?

We weed by hand, with hoes and forks, and use mulch to stop weeds coming back. On a planted border that’s generally the better approach anyway, because it leaves the plants you want untouched.

Can you replant a border that’s been neglected?

Yes. We clear the weeds, lift and split what’s worth keeping, improve the soil and replant, usually in autumn or spring. Tell us if you’d rather it was low-maintenance or full of colour and we’ll plan it that way.