Rain, mild spells and rich soil are good for growth, and in Ebbw Vale they help the wrong plants as much as the right ones. Bramble, bracken, rush and self-seeded saplings move in quickly once a garden is left, and on a sloping plot they soon make parts of it impossible to reach.
People call us for clearances for all sorts of reasons: a new house bought with a jungle out the back, an elderly relative’s garden that has got away from them, a rented property between tenants, or simply a fresh start before new landscaping. This guide covers how we go about it in Ebbw Vale. For the rest of our work in the town, see landscaping in Ebbw Vale.
What a neglected Ebbw Vale garden usually holds
Each garden is different, but after a few years without care we tend to find a similar mix. The wetter corners fill with rush and moss, banks turn to bramble, hedges spread several feet in every direction, and saplings of sycamore, ash or willow seed themselves along fences and walls.
Underneath, there is often more: old fencing that blew down in a storm and was never replaced, broken slabs, a collapsed shed, and bags of rubbish tucked behind it. We find out what is there before we quote, so there are no surprises on the day.
On the newer estates on higher ground the picture is a little different. There is usually less rubbish, but thin topsoil over builders’ rubble means weeds and rush take hold fast wherever water sits. Clearing those gardens often reveals where the drainage is failing, which is useful to know before anything new goes in.
Clearing a slope with limited access
Many terraced homes in Ebbw Vale have no side access, so all the waste has to come through the house or along a rear lane, often up or down steps. That shapes how we work. We cut and bag material as we go, protect floors and doorways where we have to go through the house, and plan the route so the heaviest loads travel the shortest way.
On steep banks we work from the top down where we can, so cut material falls towards the collection point instead of piling up against a wall or fence. Clearing a slope also opens up the soil to heavy rain, so if the garden is going to stay bare for a while we will talk about how to stop it washing out.
Step by step
A typical Ebbw Vale clearance runs in this order:
- Walk the garden with you and agree what stays: shrubs, trees, ornaments or paving worth keeping.
- Cut back brambles, weeds and long grass so the ground can be seen.
- Trim or reduce overgrown hedges and deal with unwanted saplings.
- Take down and remove old sheds, fencing and other structures you want gone.
- Lift loose rubbish and rubble, and rake or level the ground.
- Load and take away the green waste and other agreed waste.
For a fuller picture of how a clearance day goes, see what happens during a professional garden clearance.
Where the waste goes
Green waste from Ebbw Vale gardens goes with us for proper disposal, so you are not left with a heap in the corner or a string of trips to the tip. General garden rubbish, old timber and rubble can usually be taken too, by agreement.
Some things need to be handled separately. Paint, chemicals, gas bottles and anything that might contain asbestos, such as some old shed roofs, cannot just be thrown in with the rest. Our guide to what can and cannot go in a garden clearance explains more, and where garden waste goes covers why it matters.
Plants that need extra care
Japanese knotweed turns up in parts of the South Wales valleys, often along railway lines, rivers and old industrial land. If you think you have it, tell us before any work starts. It is subject to specific rules on how it is controlled and disposed of, and it must not be cut and mixed with ordinary green waste.
Mature trees also need thought before a clearance. Some may be protected, and nesting birds must not be disturbed. If you are unsure, check with Blaenau Gwent council first; our tree and hedge care guide for Ebbw Vale has more on timing.
After the clearance
Once the garden is clear, you can see what you actually have: the slope, the wet spots, the sunny corners and the state of the walls and fences. That is the ideal time to plan what comes next, whether it is simply some fresh turf and a tidy edge or a full redesign.
Because we also do landscaping, fencing and turf laying, we can carry straight on if you want. If you are clearing before a sale or a new let, our guide on clearing a garden before selling or letting has some useful pointers.
Booking a clearance
Send us a few photos of the garden and tell us about access: steps, lanes, and whether everything has to come through the house. Tony and the team will visit, agree what stays and what goes, and give you a free quote. Visit our garden clearance page for more, or use the enquiry form to get in touch.
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Questions People Ask
How long does a garden clearance take?
Most small to medium gardens in Ebbw Vale are cleared in a day or two. Very overgrown plots, steep gardens and those where everything has to go through the house take longer. We will give you an idea of timing when we quote.
Do I need to be at home?
Not always. If we can reach the garden from a lane or side gate and we have agreed what stays, you do not need to be there. If we need to come through the house, someone will need to let us in.
Will the brambles just grow back?
Cut brambles will regrow from the roots unless they are dug out or kept cut. We dig out the crowns where practical, and the best long-term fix is to plant, turf or pave the ground once it is clear.
Can you keep some plants or paving for me?
Yes. Anything you want to keep is agreed before we start and marked if needed. We can also lift and set aside slabs, edging or pots so they can be reused when the garden is redone.
Is there a best time of year to clear a garden?
Clearance can be done at any time, but late autumn and winter suit heavy cutting back because most plants are dormant and nesting birds are less likely. In Ebbw Vale, very wet or frozen weeks can slow work on steep ground, so we sometimes adjust dates around the weather.
What affects the cost of a clearance?
The size of the garden, how overgrown it is, access, the amount and type of waste, and whether sheds or fencing need taking down. We give a free quote after seeing the site.