At Last

I was spurred into some gardening action down my plot the weekend before Easter, when the sunshine finaly made it through the clouds for approximately 3 and a half days. The soil on 1, 2 and the L-shaped beds was too wet and sticky to work but I managed to get a few minor tasks completed. First was the compost heap which was turned and tidied up again, followed by 2 years old compost being spread across the surface of No 2 bed on (N1 Plot). A start was made, weeding the flower bed, underneath the fruit trees situated on the drainage ditch bank at the lower end of N1 Plot, removing several strawberry plants a the same time. 3 large bags were filled with bluebell plants, lifted from this bed, which have since been re-planted into one of the flower borders, around the base of a recently planted buddleia tree, to the front of my bungalow. The strawberry plants were re-planted in their new, recently prepared bed in my back garden. So far this season, mainly due to regular overnight frosts, I have not bothered to do any planting or sowing to date.

No 2 Bed Rotavated But Still Too Sticky For Sowing/Planting 19 March 2016

No 1 Bed Dry & Just Needs Forking Over Before Sowing Takes Place 19 March 2016

Gooseberry Bushes No2 Bed Starting to "Green Up" 19 March 201

 By the end of the week and over Easter weekend the torrential rain, high winds and hail returned so there was little chance of any further gardening. My plot has taken second place to my garden, for several months now, with any breaks in the weather allowing me to re-design the back and front gardens at home, salvaging what I could, after they had unfortunately been neglected for many years. The main idea with the very large back garden is to add various paths and walkways which will eventually cut down on the amount of ground which has to be cultivated. The neglected borders will be re-vitalised and more plants and shrubs added. 2 areas of neglected lawn also need a lot of attention especially the removal of masses of moss at present embedded in them, so much so it's like walking across very thick sponges. The third area of lawn will eventually be turned into a vegetable patch. The final job after the patio is re-laid will be to build a fish pond opposite the kitchen window.

Walkway Installed Across Centre Of Back Garden Splitting Area In Half 19 March 2016

Walkway From Eastern Side Of Garden 19 March 2016

Pathways Being Constructed Around The Garden Perimeters Using Welsh Slate With Weed Suppressing Fabric Underneath It 19 March 2016

Western End of Walkway A Fish Pond Will Be Built In Front of The Banked Up Soil 19 March 2016

Remember "Dolly Tubs" I Had to Use One Every Week. They Make Good Planters 19 March 2016

Another warm sunny day today and with no rain since Easter Monday I decided to spuddle off down to my plot early this morning to do some rotavating, wondering if my rotavator would start after the long Winter lay off. After checking the oil and adding some fuel, the old machine roared into life at the second attempt to start it, not bad I thought, after being stored outside, with only a canvas cover to protect it from the weather all winter. 45 minutes later No 2 bed was well turned over and although the soil was rather damp it was drying out quickly in the warm sunlight. Can't beat the old machines, not a bad hours work for a 50 years old rotavator.

After tidying up and trimming a couple of grass edgings around No 1 bed I headed off home for a cuppa.



There's Always Tomorrow If The Ominously Changing Climatic Conditions Allow!!!