Garden creation, April 2012
I have had almost a year to plan and research my plant garden. Without a fence last year, I couldn't do much. With the discovery that the hares will eat almost everything I will now have to attach hare fencing to the sheep fencing. So more delay. But, I have designed the lay out and started making soil, and compost. So definitely the garden will be starting this year, 2012. I am planning a large vege patch for potatoes, onions cabbages, kale etc. And two raised beds to begin with for more vulnerable veges. And gravel paths between lots of small beds for herbs, and medicinal plants. So, the intention is to make a proper physic garden. I may have to erect artificial wind brakes but will see about that, maybe trees and hedges will do the job. The garden will be laid out in the form of a Celtic cross. With a large circular stone raised bed in the center, wide paths running up the middle and across, like arms and all around, and small paths inbetween the herb beds.
We have collected about 6 tons of sea weed so far, 3 or 4 large bags full everytime we went to the shore and hauling them down to the site and spreading it out on carboard laid out to stop the weeds and grass growing thru. I then spread the composted manure from 30 years of animals in the old barn onto the sea weed and will then put the potatoes in first, with straw on top of that. I could have ploughed the field but it has been so ridiculously wet that the tractor would have compacted the earth too much and probably have made a muddy mess. This way I am doing two things at once, creating good soil and making a vegebed. Since most of the medicinal herbs will not really like rich soil, I haven't yet cut into the grass for them.
The polytunel is not yet up. Just as well considering the 100 mile an hour winds we have had. Once that is up I will make a start with the herbs.
We have collected about 6 tons of sea weed so far, 3 or 4 large bags full everytime we went to the shore and hauling them down to the site and spreading it out on carboard laid out to stop the weeds and grass growing thru. I then spread the composted manure from 30 years of animals in the old barn onto the sea weed and will then put the potatoes in first, with straw on top of that. I could have ploughed the field but it has been so ridiculously wet that the tractor would have compacted the earth too much and probably have made a muddy mess. This way I am doing two things at once, creating good soil and making a vegebed. Since most of the medicinal herbs will not really like rich soil, I haven't yet cut into the grass for them.
The polytunel is not yet up. Just as well considering the 100 mile an hour winds we have had. Once that is up I will make a start with the herbs.
Garden lay out with vegepatch in the landscape
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old muck on seaweed on cardboard
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Raised beds with gravel path between
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Compost bins and dung heap
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