Ground preparation
Clear the ground, prepare the paths
The Backyard Forest by Jake Rayson
natureworks.org.uk/backyard/prep
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Course overview
What we’ll learn
- Paths for access & attention
- Importance of timing
- Methods of mulching
Paths — Timing – Mulch
1. Paths
- Define areas 👈
- Access & attention
- Grass paths
- Wood chip paths
- Hard surface
Paths — Timing – Mulch
1. Paths
- Define areas
- Access & attention 👈
- Grass paths
- Wood chip paths
- Hard surface
Paths — Timing – Mulch
1. Paths
- Define areas
- Access & attention
- Grass paths 👈
- Wood chip paths
- Hard surface
Paths — Timing – Mulch
1. Paths
- Define areas
- Access & attention
- Grass paths
- Wood chip paths 👈
- Hard surface
Paths — Timing – Mulch
1. Paths
- Define areas
- Access & attention
- Grass paths
- Wood chip paths
- Hard surface 👈
Paths — Timing – Mulch
2. Timing
- Clear in sections 👈
- 3-5 plants per square metre
- 400 plants for 10m x 10m!
- Embrace the grass
Paths — Timing – Mulch
2. Timing
- Clear in sections
- 3-5 plants per square metre 👈
- 400 plants for 10m x 10m!
- Embrace the grass
Paths — Timing – Mulch
2. Timing
- Clear in sections
- 3-5 plants per square metre
- 400 plants for 10m x 10m! 👈
- Embrace the grass
Paths — Timing – Mulch
2. Timing
- Clear in sections
- 3-5 plants per square metre
- 400 plants for 10m x 10m!
- Embrace the grass 👈
Paths — Timing – Mulch
3. Mulch
- Types 👈
- Choose
- Cardboard
- Sheet
- Deturf
Paths — Timing – Mulch
3.1 Mulch types
- Cardboard mulch 👈
- Plastic woven sheet mulch
- Deturf: manual, turf cutter, digger
Paths — Timing – Mulch
3.1 Mulch types
- Cardboard mulch
- Plastic woven sheet mulch 👈
- Deturf: manual, turf cutter, digger
Paths — Timing – Mulch
3.1 Mulch types
- Cardboard mulch
- Plastic woven sheet mulch
- Deturf: manual, turf cutter, digger 👈
Paths — Timing – Mulch
3. Mulch
- Types
- Choose 👈
- Cardboard
- Sheet
- Deturf
Paths — Timing – Mulch
3.2 Choose mulch
- Small: cardboard or manual deturf 👈
- Medium: cardboard, turf cutter or sheet mulch
- Large: sheet mulch or deturf with digger
Paths — Timing – Mulch
3.2 Choose mulch
- Small: cardboard or manual deturf
- Medium: cardboard, turf cutter or sheet mulch 👈
- Large: sheet mulch or deturf with digger
Paths — Timing – Mulch
3.2 Choose mulch
- Small: cardboard or manual deturf
- Medium: cardboard, turf cutter or sheet mulch
- Large: sheet mulch or deturf with digger 👈
Paths — Timing – Mulch
3. Mulch
- Types
- Choose
- Cardboard 👈
- Sheet
- Deturf
Paths — Timing – Mulch
3.3 Cardboard mulch
- Decomposes in few months
- Remove plastic
- Boxes from bicycle shops
- Weigh it down!
Paths — Timing – Mulch
- Double thickness if you can
- Luke Simon uses grass cuttings
- And large, heavy logs as base material, covered in mulch
3. Mulch
- Types
- Choose
- Cardboard
- Sheet 👈
- Deturf
Paths — Timing – Mulch
3.4 Sheet mulch
- Plastic! 👈
- Buy quality, re-use sections
- Use metal pegs
- Weigh it down
Paths — Timing – Mulch
3.4 Sheet mulch
- Plastic!
- Buy quality, re-use sections 👈
- Use metal pegs
- Weigh it down
Paths — Timing – Mulch
3.4 Sheet mulch
- Plastic!
- Buy quality, re-use sections
- Use metal pegs 👈
- Weigh it down
Paths — Timing – Mulch
3.4 Sheet mulch
- Plastic!
- Buy quality, re-use sections
- Use metal pegs
- Weigh it down 👈
Paths — Timing – Mulch
3. Mulch
- Types
- Choose
- Cardboard
- Sheet
- Deturf 👈
Paths — Timing – Mulch
3.5 Deturf
- Deturf manually 👈
- Hire turf cutter
- Hire mini-digger
Paths — Timing – Mulch
5. Deturf
- Deturf manually
- Hire turf cutter 👈
- Hire mini-digger
Paths — Timing – Mulch
5. Deturf
- Deturf manually
- Hire turf cutter
- Hire mini-digger 👈
Paths — Timing – Mulch
Backyard Forest takeaways
- Choose according to situation
- Reduce your footprint
- Take your time
