Scrapheap Challenge

[Snadger]

Edged the last of my large keyhole beds. It was a bit warmer so didn't bother lighting woodburner. Draft proofed my summerhouse door by nailing boards to the bottom inner and bottom outer section of the door. Affixed slaters laths around the edges of the door frame. As well as draft proofing I want to try and stop any mice/rats getting in and nibbling my seed spuds.
My first seed sowing on the plot will be parsnips which can go in anytime now. Worked out where they are going to go and I will mark the drills, stick a spade in, ease it back and forward to form a vee then fill with sand/old potting compost mix. I will do the same for carrots which can also have there area readied for sowing later in the year.

[Snadger]

Decided where I am going to grow my parsnips and carrots. Did the old 'Lever the spade' along the length of the row to create a deep vee. Problem is that when you do the next row the first row fills with soil. After doing one row (which I've done) I'll have to make inroads to get some sand to go with my old compost as a filler.Will get the sand on Friday.

Sorted out a packet of parsnip seeds from 2014. Think I'll buy a new packet as they take ages to germinate and old seed might not germinate at all.

[Snadger]

Had a bonfire at the plot .............smell like a kipper.

[Snadger]

Balmy evening at the scrapheap. Eleven degrees made it tee shirt weather.

Decicided to make my first outdoor sowing of parsnips.

Made a trench:-



Filled with sharp sand:-



Covered with compost then sprinkled whole packet of old (2014) seed along drill. Far too thick a sowing but if i even get 25% germiantion that will do.



Covered seed with more compost, watered the row and started on next vee shaped trench.



I will purchase some NEW fresh parsip seed and sow the other two rows with it. I'm the only one who likes parsnips in our family so that should be enough for my personal consumption.

Had a bit of a measure up of the roof of my new chicken run. I Have decided i will use one of the glass panels (same as my summerhouse glass) roughly 3 foot X 8 foot in the roof giving them there own glased roof. Joined on to an approximate 2 foot solid roof extension this will give them 5 foot of covered chook conservatory. I will buld a raised roosting area under it as my chooks love being up a height but still under cover.

[Snadger]

Where do i start. Its funny how I go to the plot with a plan of what i hope to achieve when I am there, but usually finish up getting waylaid and doing something completely different.
Today I planned to work on my chicken run. I did do a bit of work on it just before I left but did other jobs before that!

Opened up five more grooves for parsnips and carrots and filled two of them with sand. I had no more sand so decided to tidy up the patio type area next to the summerhouse. Moved bench seat and table out the way, and scraped dried mud off the paving flags. Pruned back the gooseberry on the fence then swept every thing up, put it in wheelbarow and dumped it into my pond area which is becoming my 'burn' area for the time being. Moved stuff around and swept out the summerhouse as well. One of my lemons has three lemons close to maturity and the other lemon is flowering.
Moved hexagon table into position and changed position of park bench. One of the other plotholders came by and said it looked tidy, so i musty have been doing something right!

I then started on what my original intention for the day was............namely the chicken run. De-nailed a roof spar and decided it had too much rot in the ends to use. Instead i chopped the good bits up for noggins.
Fastened another spar in the right position to support a large pane of glass that will become the chooks conservatory!
I added three noggins then fastened a bit of facia board in position. Decided to call it a day after that as my rumbling tummy got the better of me and went home for Sunday lunch!

[Snadger]

Watered all the indoor stuff with a Comfrey tea mix. I've often wonderd if its phsycological, if it stinks that bad it must be doing some good you think

Measured the bed for carrots and I need two enviromesh cages 6 foot X 3 foot X 2 foot high. I will price the timber frame making material at Wickes but wonderd about using plastic overflow pipe utilising corner fittings? I'll have to price it up as well!

[Bigmallly]

I would imagine timber would be cheaper but plastic would last longer. I would also think a plastic pipe one would blow away easier unless pegged down.

[Snadger]

Went to GC to buy parsnip seeds and came out with a variagated holly type shrub (Osmo summat or other) which was half price!

Sowed another two rows of parsnips directly onto sand. Covered with potting compost and tamped down. Thats three eight foot rows...............just for me!

[jonny the plant pot]

Ive some hamburg turnips . Should i be putting them in now .

[Snadger]

Ive some hamburg turnips . Should i be putting them in now .

Heard of hamburg parsley which is very like parsnip? Be guided by what the packet says!

[jonny the plant pot]

Heard of hamburg parsley which is very like parsnip? Be guided by what the packet says!

Cheers :

[Snadger]

Been pricing some timber to make enviromesh frames for my carrots. This seems a canny deal from B&Q.

Timber Cladding Planed Cladding Batten (T)16.5mm (W)30mm (L)2100mm, Pack of 12 | Departments | DIY at B&Q

Should have enough there to make 2 off 6 foot X 3foot X 2 foot frames.

[Bigmallly]

Don't know how this compares pricewise Snadge but you would have less waste as they are 8ft:

Wickes Sawn Kiln Dried 19 x 32 x 2400mm | Wickes.co.uk

[Snadger]

Don't know how this compares pricewise Snadge but you would have less waste as they are 8ft:

Wickes Sawn Kiln Dried 19 x 32 x 2400mm | Wickes.co.uk

I'll have to get my thinking cap on and work it out!

[Bigmallly]

It was just a thought as you would have waste from the 7ft lengths...........Out of 8ft you could have a 6+2...........or 2x3's +2......you get my drift.