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The hen is very lovely and I appreciate your advice on them. WE’re also only doing it for the family so I think I’d keep them as free range as possible and accept a little bed damage! Greenhouse looks super complicated and well beyond me so I’ll stick to the cold frame for now!
I have been using cardboard this year and it is amazing!
We started off with the black landscape fabric but hadn’t found out about no dig at that stage so put it in as a base layer to prevent weeds growing into bed from underneath.DISASTER! Had to dig it all out again 6 months later. Also tried wood chip as weed suppressant to little effect as bind weed, nettles, thistles and dandelions all over and grew through thick layer of wood chip within weeks in summer. Since discovering Charles have started putting cardboard down and difference is amazing.
Under hedges I put cardboard with wood chip on top, nothing through at all.
We also had a weed ridden border which I put cardbaord 1st, then planted heather into holes cut in it, then put peat compost all over as mulch and it is doing well, heather alive and had to pull about 2 weeds in 2 months.
Where I plan to do beds next year I put some immature compost (pretty thin layer as I didn’t have much, hoped this would encourage worms etc ) followed by cardboard followed by the reused landscape fabric (mainly to hold cardboard in place). This seems to be going great. These beds were used this summer so weeds were mainly under control here I just didn’t want any work weeding over the next few months. No weeds and when I’ve peeked under all looks good.
Also had a new retaining wall put in due to building work so it is like a raised bed with a hedge at the back. I only managed to put cardboard on half as I ran out. The uncovered portion is now thick with chickweed/ and I can see other horrors getting established! Probably just needs a good hoe but it is all extra work which I find a bit demoralising as it is endless and will keep coming back. the cardboarded part looks pretty ugly but I know the work is all happening without me.
I think in your case the cardboard will all have decomposed by the time you are planting so will do no harm. My only thoughts are maybe put a little compost or leaf mould under it to encourage soil activity? If weeds are under control in general and you have a thick layer of compost you may not even need the cardboard ( but i’d be safe and stick it down!)
In fact the only trouble I find using the cardboard is getting hold of it. I have been discovered twice now, rummaging through recycling bins behind the local bike shop. Bit embarrassing!Thanks Charles good to know!
I planted my actual broad beans way too early so they are in flower now and being blown over by wind. I was going to leave them for the time being for the bees but presume they’re only good for compost now! I have new plants growing in pots which look just like your picture so I may be getting the hang of this timing now!
Thanks again for all your help and advise I know you must be busy!I made my compost bay with remove-able internal walls and it does make it a lot easier to shovel. Also means that as the stuff reduces in size you can make the piles narrower and keep it as “condensed” as possible. I think this is what Kevin means by cubic. I don’t have a roof at present as I’m finding old carpet/ cardboard works pretty well as a lid.
Kevin you were such a help before can I bother you with another question? My old compost manure heaps don’t stay nearly as hot for as long after turning. Is this a sign that it’s ready?
When I’m spreading it over the beds do I need to riddle it? Videos seem to show Charles piling it on then just raking it but I think my compost may be a little lumpy for that. or will the frost take care of lumps?
The compost I made over the summer may still be a little immature but am I better to put it on beds now or leave it in bins to further decompose then spread it in the spring.
Actually I’m house bound with a broken ankle at the moment so wont be doing anything manual til early January is that too late for winter composting? Broken ankle is also the reason I can be an absolute plaque on the forum sorry guys!Wow I’m so jealous that looks like a lot of space or growing! I don’t have a greenhouse at the moment but hopefully next year…..
Did borrow space in a friends this summer and grew aubergines and chilli plants v well.
Also planning to get chickens this year so would be interested to now how many you have / how easy to keep etc. We have a suburban garden so smell/ noise is an issue as are the dreaded rats. Any advice?
Would also be interested in why a sunken greenhouse? I was thinking of a poly tunnel at the moment due to cost but would love to know why you went the greenhouse routeWhat a fabulous plot. That is an amazing result and so neat and tidy you really put me to shame! I agree with Sandra that a well loved veggie plot looks way more interesting than flowers or lawn. Had you had much experience of gardening before Lee?
Another question sorry!!
I planted broad beans in the original manure to check for APDo they look OK? not really sure what I’m checking for.
The leaves look a bit ragged but that could be pests nibbling?.hi again new manure bin is doing brilliantly. I turned it and it got hot again and now has fallen in size just as you said Kevin. All very exciting! This manure was older when I collected it (from the middle of a big pile at the stables) It is now cold again so does that mean its ready to use?
A lot of wood shavings in it but I was thinking about putting it on beds now for overwintering, then maybe using better compost for the top 2 inches in spring? Otherwise I could mix it in with new compost I’m making to dilute the wood a bit?
Thank you so much for all the advice so far
chrisI have used a few chopped branches to try to grow mushrooms! Nothing yet but its early days.
this summer I started a few veggies in raised beds and they did fine.
My rhubarb which is in more shade seems to have died off though.
Massive lack of water this summer anyhow so it is hard to tell if effect is trees or drought conditions.
Thanks for response Neil you did well to wade through all this info!
chrisI planted 2 apple trees on west side but plan to keep these small. also have grown some asparagus from seed but am terrified of putting it into the wrong place!
The north east corner gets sun all day in the summer as the house is a bungalow so would this be a good space for the greenhouse?
There are still 3 large trees between the veggies and the house. i thought this would be ok as they are north of plot so less shading but will they take all the water?
Big maple at south end (bottom border of photo in centre) which does cause a lot of shade.
I am at home with broken ankle so hence the lovely long posts! Sorry about that! Cant do anything useful so will set mind to planning and all help is gratefully received!
Sorry Jen didn’t mean to hijack your thread! Hopefully any advice will be relevant to us both!This is how it looks now. Veg plot is on south border. also want to have a greenhouse but cant work out best position.
so the house is the blue spot and everything under that is woodland!
This is really interesting to me too. W moved house 2 years ago into a forest! WE knew we wanted to take down a lot of trees to provide more light and sunshine but I really had not anticipated the roots that were left behind. WE got professionals in to cut down 30 trees and grind out the stumps but we wanted to leave the deciduous trees for birds and general prettiness. I then got into veg gardening and can now see that it may not be ideal for water/ shade etc.
I’ll try to upload the google maps image of what we started withAlso forgot to say, get yourself a compost thermometer. Best way to know whats happening and very encouraging when you see it heating up!
I bought lots of seeds last spring as I wanted to try to grow a little of everything to feed the family. I had the idea that seeds would last forever. Since reading this I have realised (another) of my mistakes. Nest spring should I just broadcast sow every seed I have left then transplant whatever germinates? Not the carrots and parsnips obviously.
I also have onion sets stored in a dark dry metal box I suppose there is no hope for these.