seaside gardening

[nick the grief]

Diana - my biggest problem is the wind

[diana]

Yes wind is going to be my problem and as the garden (19 acres) has not been touched for years it is going to take me some time to get it started and I will start by making shelter. I have found another book called The impossible garden by Rona Steppanova, any body got it or read it.?

[JennieAtkinson]

Yes Diana - I know Rosa. She gardens here in Shetland and runs a nursery. She does know what she is talking about, but I'm afraid I found the book a little disappointing in terms of help with regard to growing in an exposed spot. There is very little advice about creating shelter belts, etc. but more about what she manages to grow in the garden. But that's just my thoughts on the book. It is a good book, but probably not what I was expecting it to be.

I joined the local RHS group this summer and have been on a course (half a day) for creating shelter belts which meant I learnt was the best species to grow here and in August we have a tour of everyone's gardens. That has been very informative and I hope to learn alot that way and knowledge which is specific to Shetland. Possibly even things that are good here, will not grow as well in Orkney, but there will be other things that will.

19 acres - phew! We have 3/4 of an acre and I find that huge! You will have to get sheep in to cut the grass!

As you can guess we havent sailed to Orkney yet, hopefully tomorrow! Been too windy Off to Fair Isle today - now that's an exposed island ..........

[nick the grief]

but nice jumpers

[JennieAtkinson]

Diana - we sailed around Eday and it is a beautiful island. Very rich and green on the east side with many farms and spectacular cliffs to the north. We had wanted to stop and pick up the visitors buoy, but the tide was racing through and it was like white water rafting

I spoke to a number of people in Orkney about gardening and they all reckon on gaining a degree over Shetland and various parts an extra degree over that. Some of the gardens in Pierowall in Westray were as much as 4 weeks ahead of mine and some of these folk were growing virtually in sand! Lots of veg and sweet peas and lillies in flower. So you may find you are in quite a sheltered place and do quite well.

Anyway - wish you well and let us know how you get on.

Nick - we spent so long in Fair Isle due to fog I could have knitted a jumper! Some great veg gardens there too as they have to be reasonably self sufficient.

I feel I am turning into one of those tv presenters that just LOOKs at gardens and nothing else. "Never mind the scenery - look at that ONION!"

[bramble]

Hi Jenny, I'm the same. When we go on holiday hubby is looking at the scenery and i'm looking into peoples gardens. Sad, isnt it.
By the way, welcome back.
Gabrielle.

[diana]

Hi Jenny
So pleased you saw Eday on your holiday, I cercainly will let you know how we get on, we are moving in March 2007 and cant wait.
You will have to pay me a visit when you are next passing.

[rauni]

Nice thread. I've just got an allotment on the banks of the Menai Straits, which seperates Anglesey from the mainland, so I'm interested in what grows on the coast. It's maybe not quite as exposed as it might be, with some shelter from the island, but it does take a pounding from the North east wind. Main problem is, its basically subsoil, not topsoil at all, and incredibly stony, so that's the first job. I'm imagining a superb asparagus bed (eventually), as they are coastal plants originally. No polytunnels or greenhouses allowed unfortunately, but we do benefit from limitless supplies of seaweed fertiliser.

[Birdie Wife]

Hi rauni,

That's a great location you've got - well maybe not so much for veggies, but I love the coast around there. My OH comes from Holyhead and we visit his mum there regularly.

Shame you can't get polytunnels etc - what about walls? The old system in Orkney (and probably Shetland too - Jennie?) was for 'pickaquoys' on the coast, walls about 4' high arranged in rectangular shapes to give protection from the harsh winds.

One good thing is that you shouldn't suffer too much from frost where you are! I'll wave next time we're passing!

[JennieAtkinson]

Sounds Lovely rauni! Before I had my polytunnel I used home made mini polytunnels with plastic hosepipe tubing and either fleece of wind fabric. Worked quite well, just difficult to get under them sometimes.

I don't know what the local name is for the four way wind shelters. They are often used for seating in rural areas here and I can recommend them. Always a way of getting out of the wind!

[nick the grief]

With all the salt in the air you should ahve blemish free brassica's Rauni! Sounds idylic - If you don't fancy walls just grow shorter varieties .

Hestia or Hammonds scarlet dwarf runner beans.
The Sutton Broad bean
& there are a few "short" brussells around.

You could always grow some Artichokes for a wind break as well

[Birdie Wife]

The irony is that with artichokes, the wind comes afterwards...

[rauni]

Thanks guys. I did notice that on the other plots (five) the brassicas looked great. Better than mine at home (2 miles as the crow flies from the sea) even tho I'm picking off all the caterpillars as soon as I see them. Its hard to believe they've got such a lot, growing so well, and their plots were just like mine a year or two ago. Got a lot of muck to dig in and a lot of stones to remove...