Getting started

Yesterday I posted pictures of the plot as it looked when we took ownership a year ago. We got very excited on the first day and then, it started raining for two solid weeks. Every single gardener worth his salt will tell you NEVER to do any digging when the soil is too wet. We decided to ignore the advice but we badly regretted it. Because double digging waterlogged, weeds ridden, heavy clay under the pouring rain was tough work. We got wet, we got muddy, we got tired and I got in a very bad mood … But we were desperate to get the plot into some reasonable condition to grow something over the summer. After many hours of clearing all the rubbish, digging, and pulling out weed roots, the plot started looking a little better.

The plot from the bottom – we can see the paths and we’ve got beds!

Around the shed – and a brand new home-made compost bin

We actually managed to grow quite a bit last summer despite a late start: lettuces, all sorts of salad leaves, a few onions, some cherry tomatoes, a lot of green and yellow courgettes, radishes, peas and beans, sweetcorn, turnips and even some strawberries.

Our first lettuce!

Young alpine strawberries under one of the apple trees

A lot of it, we just made up as we went along, planted where there was space, not worrying about soil type, companion planting, crop rotation, etc. It works but I suppose it’s not the best way to manage your plot if you want years after years of tasty and healthy veg!

Last winter, I spent a bit of time reading, planning and preparing and hopefully, this year, we’ll do even better.

Ready for the growing season at the beginning of March 07