Yield

Garage Update

These aren't the most up-to-date pictures as the builders approach Easter but its fairly near the current progress. They're just getting to the finished block height so after Easter they'll soon be starting on the roof.

The view underneath

The view in

The view out

Is that Simba on a mole hill?

Robin da hood

The hedge that will act as a wind-break / screening for the polytunnel and fruit cage is now planted. Its a mix of 8 or so different species (hazel, dogwood, spindle, ash, guelder rose, Hawthorn, Blackthorn and something else). Due to the variety of species it should look more colourful than the hedge planted in the garden last season.

I have also been fixing the polytunnel doors and building a mesh screen to stop the pest that keeps sneaking in to dig up Sally's freshly sown seeds.

While working I was a little startled but pleased to have a visitor join me, his name was Robin. My grandfather on my dads side was always fond of Robins. Probably because he spent a fair bit of time in his garden growing veg. I can see now just how happy these little fellas are to spend time with humans when there are fresh live worms on the ground. The camera used to take these shots was an iPhone, there is no zoom, the Robin is within reaching distance. My sister thinks that when a Robin turns up it must be Grandad Virgin paying us a visit to say hello to see what we're up to. He had no hair on top just like me so my theory is that the only bird he could come back as would be a Bald Eagle which would be really cool if a little scary.

Robin announced his arrival at a polite distance

....and then moved in closer to have his portrait taken.

A Fruity Post

After collecting assorted currant bushes and raspberry canes from Ruben & Nellie we thought long and hard about how best to plant them on our soggy clay, windy site. To help the soil condition an obvious consideration is to construct raised beds but they seem such a lot of work and expense then there are the slugs that they seem to attract.

Fruit 

We settled in the end for raised beds but without a wooden boarder. This still involved a bit of work on my part. I wheelbarrowed one ton of course sand and two tons of compost from the house down to the field to the nearest point where I could load the link box for the tractor and carry it the last part of the journey to the growing area. Unfortunately digging a trench down our track has left it impassable by the tractor (i had to be rescued by a man with a swing shovel the other day). Eventually the track will be sorted out properly but in the mean time despite the extra work we're hoping we now have drier and richer beds for the fruit to grow in.

Sand and compost to condition the soil

The other consideration was the wind, we're working a two part solution for this. The longer term element is the hedge we're planting. This is also part of the condition for our planning approval. The other more immediate defence was to set up some windproof netting.

He can also distinguish a Great Tit by its song!!

All the materials were sourced by Sally, the netting was erected by yours truly along with the marking out of the hedge. My best helper (Hi again Dad) stopped by on a gorgeous day (he carries the weather in his pocket) to help plant the raspberry canes and 30 or so hedging trees. Since then I planted another 60, maybe a few less, so i'm roughly half way to finishing the hedge. The trees are starting to come out in leaf so i need to keep cracking away with this despite popping off for a surf today.

The mercury on the level does not lie i tell you. 

Hedgerow marked out

At least the sheep like my work

The exciting bit...

Andy: You know when you want to do something, you think its a good idea but you're not absolutely sure. Well we had that, but we're feeling the fengshui love after clearing the levels between the house and the new garage. It's really exciting, it's a bit like the feeling you get after filing your cd's in alphabetical order (ask Sally) or tidying your tool box and sorting all your screws from your bolts and hooks from your hinges. Oh yes, i think this is all going to come good, i think we can see light at the end of a newly tidied tunnel.

The new levels between the house and the garage

Hedge Trimming

Andy: Back in August 2012 I mentioned that we received approval for our planning application to build poly tunnels, a shed and track across the top of the field. Well, the work to dismantle our garage and yard has given us huge piles of concrete so that we can start this work. The first job that I need to do to is clear the brambles and cut the hedge back along the access track so that we can get machinery down there.

Mole hills in the distance, almost the height of the house.

We set to last Thursday, thankfully my dad was on hand to help out. I was chopping and he was dragging the hedge into a big pile. I think he had the sharp end of the deal (that's part of a joke) and must have covered a mile or so of ground running back and forth with piles of brambles and hawthorn (and there's the punchline) Umm, sharp, hawthorn, brambles. Should I give up now?

The track to the field

All trimmed and looking tidy

Anyone for a bonfire?