Zaks garden, creatures and life

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Wheres me rhubarb?

Very cold and damp today. Decided the only sensible outdoor activity would be digging, so started to dig over the top plot (will have to decide whether to give them numbers or whatever to identify them). This is the one that had the brassicas in, so it was slow going to make sure all roots of past crops and any perenials were removed. Managed about two thirds.

Yesterday, I went around to Sue's and made three trips with a barrow full of rolls of turf, and one trip loaded with bags of wood chippings. These got dumped in the chicken compound, with the girls instructed to spread it out. Amazingly, they seem to have understood the command and it was all evenly distributed this morning! The black girl who had been on moult is now looking good with shiney new feathers. I took Sue a half dozen eggs in thanks.

Some of the turf has had to be used to reinforce the edge of the top plot, but theres plenty left for the paths. I also decided to remove the tree in the very corner of the garden. This is one of the self seeded plum like trees, but its in a space too close to my Rowan, and theres also an Elder growing there. I'd rather the Elder grew well for its flowers and berries, so ive cut the plum down to just a stalk. I'll remove the rest another time.

The first pH test of the top plot (top half) has shown neutral. This is a surprise, but it looks like that bed doesnt need lime, probably needs humus and fertiliser.

And as a final note, it seems someones stolen my rhubarb! The crowns were in a wheelbarrow, but that barrow is now upright and theyre missing! I suspect Julie thought they were tree roots and has thrown them in the green bin!

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Bedding down

Sam has asked this year to take over half the plot, so were changing the layout. Instead of two huge beds, plus Sams small bed, the big ones are being reorganised into four smaller beds with paths between. Ive managed to do two of the paths with turf from the reshaping, but that leaves two i dont have enough turf for, luckily the lady a few gardens away is getting a fruit cage (wish i was) and says i can have the turf.

We had club root last year. So no more brassicas in the top plot. Ive got a pH test kit ready, so we'll finally test the soil properly this year, and i suspect we need to add a fair bit of lime.

I'll try and get some photos on in the next day or two