I am slowly expanding my growing space for edibles by layering any cardboard that enters the house, and covering with compost. I've also used empty compost bags, spread open, to cover bare soil as protection from the elements and to warm it up. I like doing this gradually as it gives me time to work out best positions for sun and wind shelter, as well as considering the location of plants in relation to each other. I don't want to accidentally cause shade where it is unwanted.
In the above photo we have rhubarb to the fore, with the Jerusalem artichokes on the right. Stella cherry tree behind, with strawberries in the long bed on the right. Containers have Miranda potatoes and the straw in the background beds also contain these. In between is garlic in various places, broad beans and leftovers from last year including beetroot and broccoli which I have left standing for the birds. The broccoli should actually be sprouting now but they suffered too much insect and bird damage. There are raspberries, lemon balm and chives in there too. To the left of the beds, behind the bright green container, you can see one of two small Regina cherry trees I have. All my cherry trees are coming into leaf and I hope to have plenty flowers this year, at least, as I have two different varieties now. Last year I only had the Regina. A few cherries will be the cherry on....forget it.
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| Garlic and broad beans |
Spring flowers are doing their job providing colour for me and food for insects.
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| Anemone |
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Primrose
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Signs of life are appearing on my trees. Hazel and Rowan photographed below.
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| Hazel |
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| Rowan |
I am getting really excited for the coming growing season. I've done significant work planting perennials such as fruit, nut and berry trees as well as soft fruit and native climbers like honeysuckle and dog rose. I feel like a bit of form is coming to the once green grass canvas. Really buzzing about the native flowers that should come up in the grass too.
Till next time..
