Archive for January, 2011
Better get chopping!
The first project of 2011 was completed this weekend – a wood store. We’re starting to build up a good pile of logs for burning on our woodburners, but haven’t really had anywhere good to store it while it is seasoning. We’ve cobbled together make-do stores, but it’s good to now be able to stack it properly where the worst of the rain can be kept from it. As you can see it’s not particularly pretty, having been put together using various handouts, with the main poles and braces the only thing we had to buy. My dad had a load of old corrugated roofing sheets he no longer needed, and our local farmer has a good supply of pallets, which can be used for no end of structures around the garden – compost heaps, chicken shelters, and pig houses at the last count!
I might look at growing something up the side to try and hide it a bit, but the main thing now is to try to find some more wood to fill it!
Chitting potatoes
Wilkinson wouldn’t be the first place you would think of to get seeds and the like, but in the last few years the amount of aisles devoted to gardening in these town centre stores makes it as good as any other garden centre chain. It might not be the best place for the “proper” gardener, but if you are looking for ordinary seeds and gardening paraphernalia then you can’t beat it. Read the rest of this entry »
What can we find here?
The chickens have been on top form recently, continuing to give us eggs right through the cold snap and into the new year. However, we mysteriously got 5 eggs today (although 2 of them were soft-shelled). We can only assume that Ginger, who always lays soft-shelled eggs, was trying to lay a double-yolker and it came out as 2 eggs instead!
The chickens continue to be a source of pleasure, but they have become a bit of a pain and a danger to themselves in the garden. They’ve now learnt that whenever I get the spade out goodies may be available. So today they were trying to “help” me dig in the polytunnel, and getting very excited when I put down a layer of well-rotted maure, full of all sorts of worms and wiggly things. I expect another 5 eggs tomorrow!
Where to start!
I’m entering January and 2011 with a sense of nervousness and excitement. I’m excited that spring is (hopefully) not too far away and the days will be getting longer. I’m also keen to get back out in the garden and preparing for the year. However, I am a little nervous about what the year will bring, and whether I’ll be able to repeat the successes of last year and improve on the failures. Read the rest of this entry »