Over the last year we have been thinking about buying a polytunnel. We have a small glasshouse, numerous cold frames and lots of windowsills and it seemed like the best way to increase protected growing space for tomatoes, peppers etc. Then the idea came to convert the inherited aviary built to withstand a major air strike! So, many sheets of polycarbonate later, we have a 5x3 metre Ice Cube ready for the growing season. Although I am planning to grow tomatoes in the ground, I had been thinking about benching, when a generous Freecycler on Anglesey advertised some benching framework. It was originally shelving for pallets in a warehouse but can be dismantled and used at various heights. We cut up pieces of old picket fencing removed from the rails to make the shelves and covered with landscape fabric. After all the gales this year, I think we have a something a bit more likely to stand up to high wind speeds and the benching will certainly not blow away! The lucky timing of the benching means I have been able to move in a few seedlings just as everywhere else was filling up.
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| The Ice Cube during construction |
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| Think I might have gone overboard on the chillies and sweet pepppers again! |
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I wonder if anyone else has problems with seedlings on windowsills and inquisitive cats? As we have become surrounded by seed trays, pots and propagators, the cats need to be banned from certain areas. The spare room has been out of bounds to felines for a few weeks now following an incident with an upturned seed tray and compost all over the bed but not a cat in sight.
After we increased from three ducks to seven ducks and a pair of geese our pond has been transformed from being slightly murky to something resembling a puddle of spinach soup! So, a pond extension is in progress. We have removed the edges of the pond and Paul has been gradually digging around it. Next weekend should see the transformation complete. We shall line the pond with clay instead of a liner as we have lots of clay and a high water table.
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| Ducks, geese (and hens!!) still use the pond while work is in progress. |
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Despite the fact that the sunshine everyone else has been having over recent weeks seems to have by passed us, spring is getting into full swing....
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| Primula denticulata |
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| Brocolli 'Claret' |
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| Hellebore and Hyacinth brightening up the kitchen |
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| Daffodils... Ice Follies and Rip van Winkle |
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| A wonderful selection seeds from seedy penpal Andrea. I have sown many already and have pricked out the alpine strawberry seedlings today. |
