While the boy sleeps I try to get some jobs done. A little two hour window sometimes exists, and i make sure I hit the ground running.
Lately the main job has been to convert what was my young tree nursery back into veg garden.
This has been quite an undertaking. The perennial weeds certainly took hold around my trees, growing organically it wasn't a concern for the trees but it's taken some time to get the roots out for veg production again. Nettle have a fair root system on them when they get going!
I think I've pulled out most of them though, I put some straw on each bed, divide them up with paving slabs and then put plastic on the top to stop nutrients washing away and anything growing until I want it to! Before i plant them properly I'll add some well rotted manure and other amendments depending on the crop.
I've still got a few beds to lay extra paths around and alter the size of further up the garden, but I feel that I'm getting there now. Not having the jungle of young trees at the bottom of the garden is already making it look tidier and hopefully I'll be able to start tackling the soft fruit garden as the weeds start growing again.
With these at the bottom of the garden it should give me thirty 10ft by 30" beds. enough to do some serious growing, increase our self sufficiency and hopefully sell some surplus.
Who else has let an area go too far with weeds then regretted it as you try to get it back into production again?
Wow, Kev. Excellent work! I'm lucky to get the floor mopped and the laundry changed over while my guy naps. I don't know how you do it.
ReplyDeleteDo you already have these "spoken for" as to what you'll plant?
I should be doing the laundry and mopping the floor though really!
DeletePlanting plan coming up soon!
That's some terrific space you'll have for more growing.
ReplyDeleteI think getting a spot back into production is tough, but oh, so worth it!
Have fun with the extra space
It gives me a fair growing area now - around 730square feet of actual growing area I think - not including paths
DeleteGreat job! Just too much snow on the ground here for that kind of job...
ReplyDeleteI know I need to get it done now or it'll never happen - When it warms up I'll be busy lambing and that'll be hard work without trying to get the garden sorted!
DeleteNo snow here this year so far.
Wow, that is going to be so awesome. That is a LOT of work. Keep it up, you'll have yet another wonderful thing to be proud of.
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping I can keep on top of it all! I'll let you know by around June!
DeleteMy weeds are less noticeable this winter. I'm reducing the size of my plot again this year. It worked last year, so I'm hoping that it'll do so again.
ReplyDeleteAs the family has got bigger so has the veg plot for me!
DeleteMy biggest problem is grass paths. They look attractive and easy to strim. But the grass self seeds into the veg plot. I now mulch my paths with old cardboard boxes spread out and cover them in bark chippings.. I also make my plot smaller every year like Cro does. I suppose raised beds are the easiest to maintain and you get a good depth of soil. Do you not get slugs and snails hibernating under the plastic? They even live under my paving slabs and planks of wood.
ReplyDeleteI had grass paths at an allotment years ago and it was terrible, they'd spread everywhere. Paving slabs don't look great but work well. The slugs and mice are a problem although I do put chickens on certain areas to try and control numbers.
DeleteI have an area which I just left last year as I wanted to see what was in there. A lot of weeds was the answer. I want to get it useable this year but it's a daunting task.
ReplyDeleteNature loves a vacuum, I wish I knew this when I first cvame here and I don't think I'd be fighting the weeds so badly now.
DeleteWell, we have areas that haven't exactly gone back to weeds, but we sure do have areas of sod (that we've kept mowed) that we want to turn into more productive areas. At the same time decreasing the area we have to keep mowed!
ReplyDeleteYour new plots look wonderful and so exciting to have more space in which to grow nutritious food whether it ends up being for the family or to bring in a little extra cash.
How big of an area have you guys got in production? Yours always looks so good!
DeleteTogether my hubbie and I have over 60 years gardening experience. We always get it right, we never make mistakes, and weeds never take hold. HA!!
ReplyDeleteLife has a way of getting in the way. But, wow! you sure did get a bunch done on your two hour 'break" while little one sleeps. Nice work Kev.
Every year I say I'm going to keep on top of certain area and every year I don;t do it. the last couple of years I've made an effort with the veg garden and it's paid off. Just need to reclaim the soft fruit now!
Delete