North (?) facing garden - grass

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Dick Harris on January 20, 2017 at 11:08

You shouldn't have any trouble growing grass unless you are seeking to create a super duper flat surface like a bowling green.  A box of grass seed from any garden centre (or even Homebase) will do the trick.  It is usually a mixture of several types allegedly optimised for typical rough usage, ie sitting on, playing on, walking on etc.  A bit of preparation of the soil might be helpful but, as anyone can see, nothing stops grass growing in this country.  If you don't even out any lumps and bumps before you start, it is unlikely that you will ever do so.  All the houses in your street face south west so their gardens face northeast.  There must be some shade and possible rain run off from the old railway embankment which might make it a bit damper than some gardens across the street.

Permalink Reply by michaelw on January 27, 2017 at 9:55

We have a North facing garden, and this is a terrible time of year for getting the sun in it.

However, as the sun gets higher up in the spring you should get much more. Most houses around here are only 2 or 3 stories, so the sun doesn't have to be too high before it gets over them.

Permalink Reply by QUiSHi on January 27, 2017 at 16:27

We have a portion of the garden (Blythwood Road) that suffered from the same issue. Sowing low sunlight grass seeds (e.g. Red fescue) finally did the trick and has one year later resulted in a thick lawn across the full sunlight and shaded parts of the garden

Permalink Reply by Alison P on January 27, 2017 at 19:35

I used to live on Florence Road on that side - agree with Dick that it's more north east facing. Great not having anyone behind you though. 

I'm afraid I struggled to get grass to grow well there and eventually gave up on it. It's the same where I am now (ladder). I'm sure it is doable, but worth doing some research on the best type of seed. Or you could just grow lots more plants and have no grass at all! Good luck!

Permalink Reply by Lara on January 29, 2017 at 16:18

I have tried growing grass a few times and even though it grows during the summer and it looks good,
(1) it was never strong enough to consistently walk on it
(2) it would pretty much die during the winter and I would have to start from scratch the next summer.
I even tried turf! It looked good that summer but then it didn't do very well during the winter.
Following my mum's advice I finally lwent for fake grass and I'm sooooo happy with it! My mum told me since the beginning to use fake grass but I really wanted real one. I wish I had listened to her earlier!
I love it so much I keep taking photos of it. I've uploaded one, a bit of a pose but you can see the contrast with the patio tiles.

Permalink Reply by Protheroe O'Shea on February 8, 2017 at 11:14

Speak to the council. They should replace the fence too...

Permalink Reply by Dick Harris on February 8, 2017 at 12:27

I believ the position is that legally, you can cut anything that grows into your garden.  You can also cut anything that hangs over your garden - although in that case the stuff technically belongs to the neighbour and should be thrown back.

In practical terms however, nobody is going to be in the least concerned if you cut it yourself on either side of the fence and if you also disposed of it they should be delighted.  Equally, as it is theirs you could dump on their side of the boundary.

I have no idea whether the Council is effective in maintaining the Parkland Walk but their website says that the following two gents are responsible:

Parks Operations Manager West:

Lewis Taylor  07870 157647

lewis.taylor@haringey.gov.uk

Assistant Parks Operations Manager West:

Anthony Healey  07870 157646

anthony.healey@haringey.gov.uk

Permalink Reply by Hugh on February 8, 2017 at 12:29

Looks like you've got the mekkings of a great garden there. Be sure and come back and give us some after photos too!

Permalink Reply by Charlotte A on February 8, 2017 at 13:40

Can you just cut it at the points it comes over the fence?

Permalink Reply by Dick Harris on February 8, 2017 at 14:01

Pulling all the ivy off your side will not do any damage to the ivy on his side if that is where the main roots are.  Personally, I think ivy is a useful plant and provides a lot of cover for insects and birds.  It is not likely to harm the fence but you need to beware of letting it reach the ground on your side as it will easily root there and then start to spread across the ground.  When the red fence gets as old as the one at the end of your garden, the ivy might even keep it from falling to bits for a year or two!

Permalink Reply by Hugh on February 14, 2017 at 14:29

The apparent altitude of the sun at its zenith for your postcode will increase from just over 25 degrees today to 62 degrees in July. That should make a big difference. (Info courtesy of the Photographer's Ephemeris).

Permalink Reply by Finsbury Park Ranger on March 12, 2017 at 11:30

You want a hammock at the end of that garden forthwith.

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