From July 2016 to April 2017
The garden was an impassable jungle of thorny roses, ivy, overgrown shrubs, and countless weeds (including a fledgling sycamore tree) when we moved in in July 2016.
The garden after a major haircut in August 2016
First stab at taking on the ivy that was eating the shed whole…
Sept 2016, I put loads of green waste from the first big prune over the relatively weed-free raised bed area (former greenhouse foundations), and laid some old carpet we pulled up from the house over it. Left this all winter to rot down and nourish the soil underneath.
The garden became a dumping ground throughout the autumn and into winter as we had major work done on the house.
Garden in April 2017. The hard work has just started…
The foundations of a long-ago greenhouse make a handy raised bed. Currently home to shallots, garlic (middle), spinach and chard seedlings (cold frame, left) and awaiting broccoli and kale (netted area, right). April 2017
Mixture of shop-started herbs and fruits, and veg grown from seed in pots by the backdoor. Early April 2017
Flowers starting on little black currant growing in a pot. April 2017
Promising flowers and fresh leaves on strawberry plants, April 2017
Green lettuces, mixed oriental leaves (rockets, mustards), radishes and beetroot amongst potted produce starting to take off. April 2017
Indoor seedlings getting ready to go outside: Hope to get a little greenhouse going when we clear the old coal bunker. Little sun trap there…
I totally overdid the lettuce seedlings. Have now given most of them away to friends for their own gardens. Need to sow fewer in the next round. Thumbs up for the quality of the seeds though (from http://www.theorganiccentre.ie/)
Mixed radish seedlings: These guys will be moving outside soon, but they’re staying in these pots rather than being transplanted. These pots should be big enough for them to grow fully. April 2017
Two types of kale in seed trays. Unfortunately the Russian Kale hasn’t taken well to being transplanted to slightly larger pots. I’m hoping they’ll rally. The Nero Kale is doing well so far. Not due to go outside (under netting) till they’re bigger and stronger. April 2017
Summer Purple Sprouting Broccoli: These lads need another few centimetres growth (should be 10-15 cms) before heading outside to grow under netting. April 2017
First crop: mixed oriental leaves harvested Sunday 23 April!
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Loving it all Liz! You are a source of information & i look forward to keeping an eye from afar on your progress & your rewards. Lily 🙂