Kitchen Garden Forum

Hi peoples, well since my last post, things have got a little hectic on the personal side, plus the computer and screen both went down at the same time! New computer and screen, trying to fathom 'Windows 7/Ex 9' . . . its not as good as XP/Ex 6, IMHO?

Ah well, to the garden . . . don nothing, but I have don a lot of thinking. I had some of the lawn dug up, almost doubled my veg area, plus an extended 4ft south facing border. The border is nearly 20ft long and destined for soft fruit . . .

A bit more thought, my man is coming round in a few days to extend the border another 12ft, to make room for a couple of trees. Blenhem Orange and probaly a pear, the idea is to train them flat against the fence, maybe grow stuff in front of them??

Getting very excited, a bit close to the end of the planting window?? I hope stocks wont be gon?

Biggest worry, the drought we are having in East Anglia. No bans at present but establishing new trees and bushes might be dificult this summer???

Any view or encouragement . . .

CJSF

Evening CJS, sounds as if you are getting into market gardening.

The fruit against the wall is a very good idea, especially with borders in front, it will make the most of your ground. Just try and grow some low growing plants until the trees get growing well.

Not sure if you have thought about the training of the trees, CJS, but it really is worth getting some proper infomation on this subject, whether off the interenet, or by buying a book.

Regarding the watering, if you have any old downpipe about, sink a length into the ground, with about a foot sticking out of the ground, when planting the tree. Then when you water, it goes straight to the roots.

Have fun.

What is ex9 - is it some sort of web browser!!!
Firefox every time for me.
Good luck with your gardening projects - do keep those newly planted fruits well watered for their first season.
John

oldherbaceous wrote:Evening CJS, sounds as if you are getting into market gardening.

The fruit against the wall is a very good idea, especially with borders in front, it will make the most of your ground. Just try and grow some low growing plants until the trees get growing well.

Not sure if you have thought about the training of the trees, CJS, but it really is worth getting some proper infomation on this subject, whether off the interenet, or by buying a book.

Regarding the watering, if you have any old downpipe about, sink a length into the ground, with about a foot sticking out of the ground, when planting the tree. Then when you water, it goes straight to the roots.

Have fun.

Thanks Old Herbaceous, I've got the 'real English Fruit Trees' web page which give a clear and simple basic way for the various methods. I think Espalier seems simple enough, suits my 'short back and sides' pruning methods I have some old down pipe . . . all I have to do (get my man to do) is prepare the area and tickle the soil, plenty of well rotted manure and a 12 month old compost heap.

I'm not feeling so bad at the moment, if that is still the case at weekend, I might get down and dirty myself for a few hours??? Even if its only potting up a few herbs that are growing in the area, so that I can move them but where to???

CJS

John wrote:What is ex9 - is it some sort of web browser!!!
Firefox every time for me.
Good luck with your gardening projects - do keep those newly planted fruits well watered for their first season.
John

Its the MS 'Explorer 9' . . . I'm no great shakes at computer so I work with whats there, get used to it, eventualy. I'm finding it better now than when I posted . . . I'm an old stick in the mud, dont like change.

Although it would seem sensible to improve and sort a succesfull product rather than the bull in a china shop method of new everything? But then what do I know, I'm only the customer???
CJS

Evening CJS, even if you just do a little bit, it can still give you a huge sense of achievment.

oldherbaceous wrote:Evening CJS, even if you just do a little bit, it can still give you a huge sense of achievment.

Here we are, 5 o'clock aching from head to foot, showered and feeling pleased with myself. I spent the afternoon pottering in the garden, first time since October. Potted up the herbs growing in the area where the fruit will go. Then I thought, should I . . . yeah give it a go, dig out the bean trench, 10ft long, 2 spades wide and deep . . . the soil is light and easy, cant dig it with a fork. Then, can I fill it with compost . . . half last years heap, over a layer of old newspapers, my Granddad’s trick the newspaper, holds water, especially if its 4 or 5 sheets thick, probably not original thinking?

Still feeling OK'ish? . . . back fill the trench, start to feel as though I've had enough. Joints start to seize . . . I eventually got it done, cleaned the tools and swept up, total 3 hours, more than enough . . .

Simples' . . . yeah, if you are fit and healthy . . . see how tomorrow is? I need to tidy the old plum tree, dead branches and a reshape, also get rid of an over grown 'Ivy tree' that is so big it casts an unwanted shadow . . . I could leave them for my man, but it feels good to be in the garden again . . .

Yes Oldherbaceous, it was very rewarding . . . CJS

Evening CJS, well done for all you have achieved. Just hope you are not too stiff in the morning, i often find some gentle stretches in the morning, can help to get loosened up a little.

Regarding the plum tree, if you have got to cut anything off it, it is really best to leave it until is is starting into full growth. If not, it can lead to the tree getting Silver Leaf, which is a disease which will kill the tree.

oldherbaceous wrote:Evening CJS, well done for all you have achieved. Just hope you are not too stiff in the morning, i often find some gentle stretches in the morning, can help to get loosened up a little.

Regarding the plum tree, if you have got to cut anything off it, it is really best to leave it until is is starting into full growth. If not, it can lead to the tree getting Silver Leaf, which is a disease which will kill the tree.

Thanks for that my friend . . . point taken, it can wait for a while, no problem.

Stiff in the morning, I dont know how to sit now!!! . . . been getting worse for this for a year or two. I do any work/jobs on Saturday and then recover on Sunday ready for work on Monday . . . I was hoping that would not be the case this time, we will see? Roll on June and retirement

Regards, CJS