MBE's new garden

[mrbadexample]

...troughs on it for strawberries...

Sorted:



Needs a new coat of paint but serviceable for a while yet.

Maybe put the pond near the patio where you sit so you can enjoy its sound. Does that area have a slope or is it level? Do you want a formal pond or a more natural-looking one?

I think the area near the patio has too many things crying out for space for the pond to get a look in here. The whole garden is pretty much level. Definitely a natural pond - no fish.

[mrbadexample]

My biggest issue at the moment is time. I have to finish moving, maintain the old garden until the old house is sold (it needs lots of cosmetic work), and create the new garden. Not easy but it will have to be done.

What do I do with the compost I'm generating until I've had chance to build compost bins? Just chuck it in the corner?

[Bigmallly]

What do I do with the compost I'm generating until I've had chance to build compost bins? Just chuck it in the corner?

Bury it in the bottom of your beds.

[mrbadexample]

Bury it in the bottom of your beds.

What beds? It's in a pile behind the garage for now - I mowed the lawn today (at the old house too!).

I think priority number one is working out where the rhubarb goes. I've cut two crowns today. The Stockbridge Arrow is a later variety which was just starting to show through, so that should be ok, but the Timperley Early might be less forgiving. That one's already going full bore and I harvested a carrier bag full before cutting a crown out. They don't want to be like this for long:

[mrbadexample]

Talking of beds, in the last garden I used scaffold boards because they were free and easily obtainable. Trouble is, they don't last long so this time I will be looking to use sleepers or similar if possible. I want to do them once, properly, and never have to bother again.

[mothhawk]

What beds? It's in a pile behind the garage for now - I mowed the lawn today (at the old house too!).

I think priority number one is working out where the rhubarb goes. I've cut two crowns today. The Stockbridge Arrow is a later variety which was just starting to show through, so that should be ok, but the Timperley Early might be less forgiving. That one's already going full bore and I harvested a carrier bag full before cutting a crown out....

What about the liquorice? Is it still growing? Will you dig it up and take it with you? Have you tasted it yet?

[mrbadexample]

What about the liquorice? Is it still growing? Will you dig it up and take it with you? Have you tasted it yet?

Well remembered!

Yes, it's in the Yorkshire Flowerpot:



I nearly had a hernia lifting it. It hasn't poked its head through this year yet but I believe it to be still alive, albeit not terribly happy in the pot. I would like to let it loose somewhere out of the way. I've not yet tasted it.

What time of year is asparagus planting time?

[Miss Mousetrousers]

Talking of beds, in the last garden I used scaffold boards because they were free and easily obtainable. Trouble is, they don't last long so this time I will be looking to use sleepers or similar if possible. I want to do them once, properly, and never have to bother again.

I had scaffolding boards but, as you say, they don't last too long so sleepers are the way to go but line them with plastic or something to prevent any tar leaking out and also for water retention as raised beds tend to dry out. Like your strawbs trough! As for the pond site, place it where it will get a bit of shade during the day to help stop it going green as quickly but away from trees so their leaves won't fall in it and cause problems with its water eco-balance and interfere with any pumps you may put in. Looking at your current hard-standing design, maybe make it square or oblong to keep in with its surroundings and use formal bricks or slabs on the outside and top, or you could always top it with sleepers to match your raised beds.

[Miss Mousetrousers]

What time of year is asparagus planting time? [/QUOTE]
Usually it's early April, but if the weather is cold and damp just wait a couple of weeks until the soil warms up.

[mrbadexample]

What time of year is asparagus planting time?

Usually it's early April, but if the weather is cold and damp just wait a couple of weeks until the soil warms up.[/QUOTE]

Pretty soon then. Possibly even now with the mild weather, I guess.

Is it possible to buy guaranteed male crowns?

I'm a bit gutted because last year was the first productive year for asparagus in the old garden, but now I have to start again.

[mrbadexample]

I had scaffolding boards but, as you say, they don't last too long so sleepers are the way to go but line them with plastic or something to prevent any tar leaking out and also for water retention as raised beds tend to dry out. Like your strawbs trough! As for the pond site, place it where it will get a bit of shade during the day to help stop it going green as quickly but away from trees so their leaves won't fall in it and cause problems with its water eco-balance and interfere with any pumps you may put in. Looking at your current hard-standing design, maybe make it square or oblong to keep in with its surroundings and use formal bricks or slabs on the outside and top, or you could always top it with sleepers to match your raised beds.

Sleepers will be have to be new I think - too many nasties in the reclaimed ones.

The trough was in a thread here but the photos are missing since the forum server crashed (I presume).

The shop one:



My effort for £2.30:

[mrbadexample]

This is the old pond, so you can see what I like. Bigger and better this time if I can though.



Long time since it looked this tidy, mind. I did find a frog and a toad yesterday when I went over.

[mrbadexample]

I have bought seed potatoes and hauled over a trailer load of compost from the old house. It's a bit cold this week but I might be able to get them in at the weekend.

[mrbadexample]

Ground is broken!



Got the Mantis on this bit earlier - it ran ok on the old fuel that was in it, but once I'd been out for nice fresh fuel it refused to play any more.

It's not as bad as I feared, although since the first bed I dug at the old house involved pulling out whole paving slabs and lumps of brickwork bigger than my head, my expectations were fairly low.

If the tiller will run tomorrow, I should be able to finish off and at least get some first earlies in.

[mrbadexample]

Spuds in!



The tiller cooperated after a little rest overnight. I put a layer of grass clippings at the bottom & a good thick layer of compost over that before planting.

It's a small step but makes me feel good. We are started.