class: center, middle # Ground preparation _Clear the ground, prepare the paths_  ##### [The Backyard Forest](https://www.forestgarden.wales/course/) by [Jake Rayson](https://www.forestgarden.wales/) [www.forestgarden.wales/course/prep](https://www.forestgarden.wales/course/prep/) ###### **Press `P` to see notes and credits**<br>Work licensed under [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/), embedded work may have other licenses. ??? * Greetings & welcome to The Backyard Forest * This is section 7, all about preparing the ground * Quick couple of notes * Press `p` to see the slideshow notes * Slideshow **always** available online --- # Course overview <img class="right-img" alt="Mulched bare earth on a corner" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/growdigital/image/upload/w_360,h_203/v1556816383/mulch-E34DE12B.jpg"> 1. [Introducing](../intro/) 2. [Plan](../plan/) 3. [Design](../design/) 4. [Protect](../protect/) 5. [Perennial Veg](../veg/) 6. [Canopy](../canopy/) 7. [<span class="u-bg-lime">Ground Prep</span>](../prep/) 👈 8. [<span class="u-bg-lime">Shrubs & Ground Cover</span>](../shrubs/) ??? * Course divided into 3 parts * First part is 3 sections, all about observation, thinking, planning * Second part is **structural** stuff, making windbreaks, productive veg area and canopy tree layer * Third part is 2 sections, filling in that structure --- # What we’ll learn  * Paths for access & attention * Importance of timing * Methods of mulching <h6 class="breadcrumb">Paths — Timing – Mulch</h6> ??? * THINGS WILL GROW * Why bother with ground cover * Why not grass? --- class: middle, center # 1. Paths <h6 class="breadcrumb"><span class="u-underline">Paths</span> — Timing – Mulch</h6> --- # 1. Paths  * Define areas 👈 * Access & attention * Grass paths * Wood chip paths * Hard surface <h6 class="breadcrumb"><span class="u-underline">Paths</span> — Timing – Mulch</h6> ??? * During planning, divide garden into manageable areas * AREAS DIVIDED BY PATHS! * Paths are for people, not plants * Order of work: plan, overall structure, then fill in structure area by area * Process rather than instant gardener --- # 1. Paths  * Define areas * Access & attention 👈 * Grass paths * Wood chip paths * Hard surface <h6 class="breadcrumb"><span class="u-underline">Paths</span> — Timing – Mulch</h6> --- # 1. Paths  * Define areas * Access & attention * Grass paths 👈 * Wood chip paths * Hard surface <h6 class="breadcrumb"><span class="u-underline">Paths</span> — Timing – Mulch</h6> ??? * Suitable for larger gardens * Reduce the width to reduce the mowing * Will turn to mud in smaller gardens --- # 1. Paths  * Define areas * Access & attention * Grass paths * Wood chip paths 👈 * Hard surface <h6 class="breadcrumb"><span class="u-underline">Paths</span> — Timing – Mulch</h6> ??? * Good for higher traffic areas * But, need regular topping --- # 1. Paths  * Define areas * Access & attention * Grass paths * Wood chip paths * Hard surface 👈 <h6 class="breadcrumb"><span class="u-underline">Paths</span> — Timing – Mulch</h6> ??? * For highest traffic areas & smallest gardens * Look at path construction eg using hardcore foundations, for drainage --- class: middle, center # 2. Timing <h6 class="breadcrumb">Paths — <span class="u-underline">Timing</span> – Mulch</h6> --- # 2. Timing  * Clear in sections 👈 * 3-5 plants per square metre * 400 plants for 10m x 10m! * Embrace the grass <h6 class="breadcrumb">Paths — <span class="u-underline">Timing</span> – Mulch</h6> ??? * Consider clearing in sections * If you leave it, grass will come * Approx 1 tonne bark mulch per 100m² --- # 2. Timing  * Clear in sections * 3-5 plants per square metre 👈 * 400 plants for 10m x 10m! * Embrace the grass <h6 class="breadcrumb">Paths — <span class="u-underline">Timing</span> – Mulch</h6> --- # 2. Timing  * Clear in sections * 3-5 plants per square metre * 400 plants for 10m x 10m! 👈 * Embrace the grass <h6 class="breadcrumb">Paths — <span class="u-underline">Timing</span> – Mulch</h6> ??? * Only approx 150 Vinca minor plants in foreground! --- # 2. Timing  * Clear in sections * 3-5 plants per square metre * 400 plants for 10m x 10m! * Embrace the grass 👈 <h6 class="breadcrumb">Paths — <span class="u-underline">Timing</span> – Mulch</h6> ??? * Photo shows Ornamental Forest Garden, canopy planted in grass, mown once a year. Docks an issue. --- class: middle, center # 3. Mulch <h6 class="breadcrumb">Paths — Timing – <span class="u-underline">Mulch</span></h6> --- # 3. Mulch  1. Types 👈 2. Choose 3. Cardboard 4. Sheet 5. Deturf <h6 class="breadcrumb">Paths — Timing – <span class="u-underline">Mulch</span></h6> ??? * Mulch to **clear the ground** * Then plant shrubs * Then inert bark mulch * Finally temp & ground cover plants --- # 3.1 Mulch types  * Cardboard mulch 👈 * Plastic woven sheet mulch * Deturf: manual, turf cutter, digger <h6 class="breadcrumb">Paths — Timing – <span class="u-underline">Mulch</span></h6> --- # 3.1 Mulch types  * Cardboard mulch * Plastic woven sheet mulch 👈 * Deturf: manual, turf cutter, digger <h6 class="breadcrumb">Paths — Timing – <span class="u-underline">Mulch</span></h6> --- # 3.1 Mulch types  * Cardboard mulch * Plastic woven sheet mulch * Deturf: manual, turf cutter, digger 👈 <h6 class="breadcrumb">Paths — Timing – <span class="u-underline">Mulch</span></h6> --- # 3. Mulch  1. Types 2. Choose 👈 3. Cardboard 4. Sheet 5. Deturf <h6 class="breadcrumb">Paths — Timing – <span class="u-underline">Mulch</span></h6> --- # 3.2 Choose mulch  1. **Small**: cardboard or manual deturf 👈 2. **Medium**: cardboard, turf cutter or sheet mulch 3. **Large**: sheet mulch or deturf with digger <h6 class="breadcrumb">Paths — Timing – <span class="u-underline">Mulch</span></h6> --- # 3.2 Choose mulch  1. **Small**: cardboard or manual deturf 2. **Medium**: cardboard, turf cutter or sheet mulch 👈 3. **Large**: sheet mulch or deturf with digger <h6 class="breadcrumb">Paths — Timing – <span class="u-underline">Mulch</span></h6> ??? * Cardboard in _sections_, over time --- # 3.2 Choose mulch  1. **Small**: cardboard or manual deturf 2. **Medium**: cardboard, turf cutter or sheet mulch 3. **Large**: sheet mulch or deturf with digger 👈 <h6 class="breadcrumb">Paths — Timing – <span class="u-underline">Mulch</span></h6> --- # 3. Mulch  1. Types 2. Choose 3. Cardboard 👈 4. Sheet 5. Deturf <h6 class="breadcrumb">Paths — Timing – <span class="u-underline">Mulch</span></h6> --- # 3.3 Cardboard mulch  * Decomposes in few months * Remove plastic * Boxes from bicycle shops * Weigh it down! <h6 class="breadcrumb">Paths — Timing – <span class="u-underline">Mulch</span></h6> ??? * Double thickness if you can * Luke Simon uses [grass cuttings](https://mortaltree.blog/2013/06/16/group-and-conquer/) * And [large, heavy logs as base material, covered in mulch](https://mortaltree.blog/2015/01/01/manual-of-bed-building/) [](https://mortaltree.blog/2015/01/01/manual-of-bed-building/) --- # 3. Mulch  1. Types 2. Choose 3. Cardboard 4. Sheet 👈 5. Deturf <h6 class="breadcrumb">Paths — Timing – <span class="u-underline">Mulch</span></h6> --- # 3.4 Sheet mulch  * Plastic! 👈 * Buy quality, re-use sections * Use metal pegs * Weigh it down <h6 class="breadcrumb">Paths — Timing – <span class="u-underline">Mulch</span></h6> ??? * Quality brands include [PhormiSol](https://www.phormium.com/en/applications/horticulture/black-ground-covers) or [Mypex](https://www.donlow.co.uk/gb/en/products/mypex/) --- # 3.4 Sheet mulch  * Plastic! * Buy quality, re-use sections 👈 * Use metal pegs * Weigh it down <h6 class="breadcrumb">Paths — Timing – <span class="u-underline">Mulch</span></h6> --- # 3.4 Sheet mulch  * Plastic! * Buy quality, re-use sections * Use [metal pegs](https://duckduckgo.com/?q=landscape+fabric+metal+pegs) 👈 * Weigh it down <h6 class="breadcrumb">Paths — Timing – <span class="u-underline">Mulch</span></h6> --- # 3.4 Sheet mulch  * Plastic! * Buy quality, re-use sections * Use metal pegs * Weigh it down 👈 <h6 class="breadcrumb">Paths — Timing – <span class="u-underline">Mulch</span></h6> --- # 3. Mulch  1. Types 2. Choose 3. Cardboard 4. Sheet 5. Deturf 👈 <h6 class="breadcrumb">Paths — Timing – <span class="u-underline">Mulch</span></h6> --- # 3.5 Deturf  * Deturf manually 👈 * Hire turf cutter * Hire mini-digger <h6 class="breadcrumb">Paths — Timing – <span class="u-underline">Mulch</span></h6> ??? * Hard work! * Slow * Only suitable small spaces --- # 5. Deturf  * Deturf manually * Hire turf cutter 👈 * Hire mini-digger <h6 class="breadcrumb">Paths — Timing – <span class="u-underline">Mulch</span></h6> ??? * Expensive approx £60 per day * Only works with relatively good quality turf! --- # 5. Deturf  * Deturf manually * Hire turf cutter * Hire mini-digger 👈 <h6 class="breadcrumb">Paths — Timing – <span class="u-underline">Mulch</span></h6> ??? * Better for bigger areas * Need to have lots of plants & bark mulch ready! * Removes nutrients from top layer, though can compost & return As of 2020 in UK, approx prices GBP * Mini-digger 1 day hire £100 * Digger drive 1 day £100 * Diesel £20 --- # Backyard Forest takeaways  * Choose according to situation * Reduce your footprint * Take your time <h6 class="breadcrumb">Paths — Timing – Mulch</h6> --- class: middle, center # The End  <hello@forestgarden.wales> [www.forestgarden.wales/newsletter](https://www.forestgarden.wales/newsletter) Music: _[Chegsticks](https://iamthemightyjungulator.bandcamp.com/track/chegsticks-3) by [I Am The Mighty Jungulator](https://iamthemightyjungulator.bandcamp.com)_