Tuesday, 28 April 2009

so far so weedy ...

Well, since my last post we've also planted some broad beans, put up a plastic greenhouse thingy, marked out our beds and planted some grass seed for the areas we aren't going to plant in just now. Dad has installed some guttering and a water butt too so we're doing fairly well.

I've got 5 beds about 1 metre by 5 metres and a couple of little ones about 1 metre by 2 metres. Four of the larger beds will be for the rotated crops, and the other just for pretty flowers. The smaller beds were supposed to be one each for the older kids, but Danny's not really that interested so I'm gonna use one of them for herbs.

I managed to get hold of 4 old fireguards which I'm planning on strapping together to use for compost bins and I've also yet to paint the shed.

The main problem at the moment is weeds, They seem to have suddenly appeared after a couple of days. We have couch grass, horsetail and something else that I can't seem to find out what it is - it's got purpley white roots and seems to be everywhere - like loads of tiny little worms! I have sprayed some weedkiller on them but not sure how much effect that will have as it was only a cheap spray bottle from the local discount store.

So the plan now is to lay some of the spare wood we've got from the shed at the edges of the beds to raise them up a little, then to dig over the plots once the weedkiller has kicked in. Then we need to get some veggies in. I've got some purple broccoli and some cabbage waiting to be planted so that will be first.

Wish me luck. Jana xxx

Thursday, 16 April 2009

here we go again ...

Well I know I haven't written for nearly a year but I'm on a mission now. We've rotovated the whole allotment, build and made the shed all nice and homely, planted out some potatoes and onions. Planted in some chillis, peppers and sunflowers.

All is going well, I've got quite a list of things to do - first to mark up a few small beds, then rake over and level the rest of the soil before laying grass seed. Also got to paint the shed and install some guttering and a water butt - lots of plans but we're doing well - hopefully get a chance to take some photo's tomight or tomorrow so you can see how different it looks!!!