8 November 2009

Garlic Planted!

Despite it being far too wet, it was a case of take the opportunity available. So I planted about 15-20 cloves of Solent Wight and Jolimont. They're a lot bigger than the usual Thermidrome I've grown for the past 3 years, so be interesting to see how they get on - assuming they don't rot first.

I had another go at the old greenhouse walls. It appears as though the one at the back may have to stay there! It's reluctant to come down. So the greenhouse re-assembly plans are still on hold.

I also had a bit of a play with my new Azada, which I'm sure will be great when it isn't quite so wet. Certainly going to be good for those areas that still need to be sorted out and are covered in weeds.

I've lifted the netting higher on the brassicas (probably a good month later than I should have), so it's fingers crossed the rabbits don't get in underneath.

After the success of last years leaf mold/mulch in the large builders sacks I've been collecting some more from the valley below. We are lucky to have many trees in Sheffield, but I reckon it takes about 10 bin bags full of leaves to rot down to provide a multch for one of my beds. I've also learnt, the bags need far more holes in them than they had last year and the leaves from the lime trees in the valley are far quicker to rot down than beech leaves. So far I've filled one of the builders sacks. The other one is about half full of last years beech leaves which I'll top up again. I also have a smaller wire leaf mold basket which could do with filling up too. Not too mention (the long neglected) plot no 2...

It's also the time of year when my thoughts turn to getting a delivery of manure. Unfortunately, I'm not quite sure when I'll have the time between now and the end of the year to sort this out :>(

1 November 2009

Still going!

Yes, I am still here but I seem to spend more time dismantling greenhouses than gardening these days. A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to acquire a free greenhouse, so long as I dismantled it and took it away. Despite having absolutely no experience in doing this, of course I said yes!

Obviously some help would be useful, so I managed to persuade a stranger I'd only spoken to on the internet into helping, who helpfully bought her OH along too. A couple of days later, and many aching limbs later, I'm now the proud owner of a dismantled greenhouse in two separate locations.



It's quite big and transporting that much glass and that sized frame across Sheffield - a city with a some big hills and a lot of pot holes - was very interesting!

To get this up on the plot, I now have to demolish the old brick base. Easy? No, it's actually in better shape than I'd realised and is reluctant to come apart. Also the ground level of the greenhouse is about 40cm lower than that outside the greenhouse. It's currently back to the drawing board about what to do about the base.



So whilst I'm thinking about that it was time to repay the greenhouse dismantling favour to Michelle. I'm not at all jealous it's bigger nor that it came apart far easier... ;>)

Where did the light go?
I do love the colours of autumn, but it does herald the shorter days. Which in turn means chances to visit the plot are few and far between. I have managed to collect several bags of leaves - my most successful crop perhaps? Being plentiful in supply you have to do nothing to them to make a tremendous mulch or better still leaf mold.

The garlic, onions, broad beans and peas remain unplanted.