https://gardenandgossip.org/ Sun, 19 Apr 2026 13:02:26 +0000 MyBB https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2045 Mon, 23 Oct 2023 17:53:18 +0000 Admin]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2045
Welcome to plot number 4. A total mess but something to get my teeth In to.

My target date for completion is 12 months from now.


  20231007_153151_resized_1.jpg (Size: 404.08 KB / Downloads: 28) ]]>
Welcome to plot number 4. A total mess but something to get my teeth In to.

My target date for completion is 12 months from now.


  20231007_153151_resized_1.jpg (Size: 404.08 KB / Downloads: 28) ]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=1438 Sat, 05 Feb 2022 18:16:49 +0000 Norfolk Grey]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=1438 Background

Around 10 or more years ago hubby and I decided we would like a small holding/micro holding and it needed to have a minimum of an acre. We would have ginger piggies (tamworths), golden Guernsey goats, black Norfolk turkeys and norfolk grey chickens etc (the sky was the limit   ). So after becoming thoroughly disheartened as anything with the slightest bit of land where we lived then was classed as equestrian, which seemed to put the price up tenfold, then anything that was further out at what seemed reasonably priced was just yuk house wise or went before we even got a chance to view. So having shelved the idea as I was pregnant, one day hubby randomly looked widening the search when he found something. Due to the circumstances we arranged for a viewing but didn't get our hopes up as we thought it would go before we got a look in. So viewing day came and 8 months into my pregnancy I waddled around part of the paddocks with waist high grass (soay sheep being in the other part) refusing to climb the stiles over the fences, stopped and looked at hubby and said it is perfect, the bones are all here and he agreed, so we bought it.

We moved in just over nine years ago and we never did get the pigs or the goats, as I fell pregnant again, my girls still want ginger piggies (as pets, as I have become intolerant to pork in the last couple of years and it was strange explaining to small children they were meant for eating). It is only 3/4 of an acre but it is plenty. In the first year we moved here I often stood on the patio with a feeling of something wasn't right when I realised there was a definite lack of colour (with the exception of good ole daffs).

So in the last nine years one paddock was a cut flower garden briefly as I attempted to start a business, but that was pretty much a non starter for a number of reasons. The last of our poultry and waterfowl went last year so am thinking of turning the paddock into garden, but that is another years project. I have dabbled with fruit tree grafting and training trees. Introduced various borders with an array of plants most of which are begged, stealed and borrowed. Now following my decline in gardening over the last several years my aim for this year is to focus on the veg patch.


  paddock viewing.png (Size: 280.24 KB / Downloads: 32)

If you would like to comment please kindly post on NGs diary comment thread]]> Background

Around 10 or more years ago hubby and I decided we would like a small holding/micro holding and it needed to have a minimum of an acre. We would have ginger piggies (tamworths), golden Guernsey goats, black Norfolk turkeys and norfolk grey chickens etc (the sky was the limit   ). So after becoming thoroughly disheartened as anything with the slightest bit of land where we lived then was classed as equestrian, which seemed to put the price up tenfold, then anything that was further out at what seemed reasonably priced was just yuk house wise or went before we even got a chance to view. So having shelved the idea as I was pregnant, one day hubby randomly looked widening the search when he found something. Due to the circumstances we arranged for a viewing but didn't get our hopes up as we thought it would go before we got a look in. So viewing day came and 8 months into my pregnancy I waddled around part of the paddocks with waist high grass (soay sheep being in the other part) refusing to climb the stiles over the fences, stopped and looked at hubby and said it is perfect, the bones are all here and he agreed, so we bought it.

We moved in just over nine years ago and we never did get the pigs or the goats, as I fell pregnant again, my girls still want ginger piggies (as pets, as I have become intolerant to pork in the last couple of years and it was strange explaining to small children they were meant for eating). It is only 3/4 of an acre but it is plenty. In the first year we moved here I often stood on the patio with a feeling of something wasn't right when I realised there was a definite lack of colour (with the exception of good ole daffs).

So in the last nine years one paddock was a cut flower garden briefly as I attempted to start a business, but that was pretty much a non starter for a number of reasons. The last of our poultry and waterfowl went last year so am thinking of turning the paddock into garden, but that is another years project. I have dabbled with fruit tree grafting and training trees. Introduced various borders with an array of plants most of which are begged, stealed and borrowed. Now following my decline in gardening over the last several years my aim for this year is to focus on the veg patch.


  paddock viewing.png (Size: 280.24 KB / Downloads: 32)

If you would like to comment please kindly post on NGs diary comment thread]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=1437 Sat, 05 Feb 2022 17:17:35 +0000 Norfolk Grey]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=1437 ]]> ]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=1395 Fri, 07 Jan 2022 12:02:35 +0000 Scarlet]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=1395 I've started a FB page for the same but it's good to have it in a couple of places!

This week I've planted up some of by the ranunculas in my old greenhouse borders. I wrapped with fleece last night and the night before but they are already getting hammered with mice.

I caught 3 last night
2 the night before
Just seen one diving for cover when he saw me!]]> I've started a FB page for the same but it's good to have it in a couple of places!

This week I've planted up some of by the ranunculas in my old greenhouse borders. I wrapped with fleece last night and the night before but they are already getting hammered with mice.

I caught 3 last night
2 the night before
Just seen one diving for cover when he saw me!]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=1281 Fri, 17 Sep 2021 18:35:54 +0000 SarrissUK]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=1281
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]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=1122 Mon, 07 Jun 2021 09:07:57 +0000 Scarlet]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=1122
  F54612F0-7C94-4BAB-9490-D712DC05154C.jpeg (Size: 931.9 KB / Downloads: 15)
I've been super busy with getting my dahlias in. They really have taken up a huge amount of time.
I'm not growing as many beans this year - I didn't manage to get my frames up in time! I will sow some more today. I have cut down hugely on the veg growing but I thinks it's probably enough for two.
I've a few courgettes, 20+ tomatoes, 5 cucumbers - only 2 in the borders so far, maybe about 80 beans - some poles still empty!! 2 per pole.
Dahlias in the veg plot -136 plants. I've rummaged through the builders scrap wood and got some decent stakes and I've started to string the old chicken electric fence across.....I'm hoping the dahlias will be supported when they grow through it and I don't have to spend ages tying in. I have lots more in the garden. 
Lots of beetroot and lettuce in to. More beetroot to go in today if I have the energy.]]>
  F54612F0-7C94-4BAB-9490-D712DC05154C.jpeg (Size: 931.9 KB / Downloads: 15)
I've been super busy with getting my dahlias in. They really have taken up a huge amount of time.
I'm not growing as many beans this year - I didn't manage to get my frames up in time! I will sow some more today. I have cut down hugely on the veg growing but I thinks it's probably enough for two.
I've a few courgettes, 20+ tomatoes, 5 cucumbers - only 2 in the borders so far, maybe about 80 beans - some poles still empty!! 2 per pole.
Dahlias in the veg plot -136 plants. I've rummaged through the builders scrap wood and got some decent stakes and I've started to string the old chicken electric fence across.....I'm hoping the dahlias will be supported when they grow through it and I don't have to spend ages tying in. I have lots more in the garden. 
Lots of beetroot and lettuce in to. More beetroot to go in today if I have the energy.]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=440 Tue, 04 Aug 2020 06:46:04 +0000 Eyren]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=440
I don't have a "proper" Before photo, because the garden was so overgrown you couldn't actually get in there! You'll just have to imagine the head-high brambles and buddleia the size of Yggdrasil

I hasten to add that nearly all the work below was done by our excellent gardener, Mark Johnson. I just planted the veg and helped my husband build the bike shed (behind the trellis in the second photo).

Phase 1 - after clearing the jungle:


  2020-05-17 09.37.48.jpg (Size: 984.68 KB / Downloads: 34)

Phase 2 - Fences and sheds done, old raised beds planted up


  2020-08-03 18.56.47.jpg (Size: 847.07 KB / Downloads: 46)

Still to come - new raised beds, lawn, etc.]]>
I don't have a "proper" Before photo, because the garden was so overgrown you couldn't actually get in there! You'll just have to imagine the head-high brambles and buddleia the size of Yggdrasil

I hasten to add that nearly all the work below was done by our excellent gardener, Mark Johnson. I just planted the veg and helped my husband build the bike shed (behind the trellis in the second photo).

Phase 1 - after clearing the jungle:


  2020-05-17 09.37.48.jpg (Size: 984.68 KB / Downloads: 34)

Phase 2 - Fences and sheds done, old raised beds planted up


  2020-08-03 18.56.47.jpg (Size: 847.07 KB / Downloads: 46)

Still to come - new raised beds, lawn, etc.]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=103 Sat, 23 May 2020 14:37:30 +0000 Proserpina]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=103

I had uploaded a few photos to the old forum of my attempts to create my first non-container garden (as an adult, I dabbled a bit as a child) at my temporary rented home in North-East Lincolnshire. I was lucky to be given permission by my landlord and letting agent, and am indebted to the wonderful SarrissUK for bringing me a wonderful supply of compost to get it all kickstarted. After bumping into Sarriss at work this week, I thought it was high time to post some updates!

Here is what I started with:


  Mulched area.jpg (Size: 634.2 KB / Downloads: 39)

And this was the mess that was revealed when I peeled back the plastic:


  Under the plastic.jpg (Size: 794 KB / Downloads: 53)


  Under the plastic debris.jpg (Size: 764.45 KB / Downloads: 38)

Dug out an awful lot of rubbish:


  Removed debris.jpg (Size: 611.51 KB / Downloads: 43)

But I had to leave quite a lot behind as I had limited time (still going to work full time) and only had a hand trowel to work with!

Still, I eventually got to the point where I could lay down some cardboard:


  Cardboard down.jpg (Size: 513.47 KB / Downloads: 42)

More to come in the next post!

---

I added Sarriss's wonderful donation of compost:


  Composted.jpg (Size: 661.58 KB / Downloads: 38)

Then put the plastic back down over the rest of the area and re-spread the bark mulch:


  Lokks like a garden2.jpg (Size: 261.89 KB / Downloads: 41)

And this is how it looked about two weeks ago:


  Growing.jpg (Size: 655.8 KB / Downloads: 45)

Those are my potatoes in the foreground (covered in random assorted mulch from the rest of the garden, mostly weeds). I also have turnips, carrots, radishes, peashoots, lettuces (Tom Thumb ones from Muckdiva in the seed swap!), sorrel, beetroot, mange tout, kale, spring onions, wizard field beans, and more, all growing container free! I still have quite a few containers too, but I'll post pictures of those elsewhere.

I'll try to post some more pictures this weekend, as things have really taken off since that last photo.]]>

I had uploaded a few photos to the old forum of my attempts to create my first non-container garden (as an adult, I dabbled a bit as a child) at my temporary rented home in North-East Lincolnshire. I was lucky to be given permission by my landlord and letting agent, and am indebted to the wonderful SarrissUK for bringing me a wonderful supply of compost to get it all kickstarted. After bumping into Sarriss at work this week, I thought it was high time to post some updates!

Here is what I started with:


  Mulched area.jpg (Size: 634.2 KB / Downloads: 39)

And this was the mess that was revealed when I peeled back the plastic:


  Under the plastic.jpg (Size: 794 KB / Downloads: 53)


  Under the plastic debris.jpg (Size: 764.45 KB / Downloads: 38)

Dug out an awful lot of rubbish:


  Removed debris.jpg (Size: 611.51 KB / Downloads: 43)

But I had to leave quite a lot behind as I had limited time (still going to work full time) and only had a hand trowel to work with!

Still, I eventually got to the point where I could lay down some cardboard:


  Cardboard down.jpg (Size: 513.47 KB / Downloads: 42)

More to come in the next post!

---

I added Sarriss's wonderful donation of compost:


  Composted.jpg (Size: 661.58 KB / Downloads: 38)

Then put the plastic back down over the rest of the area and re-spread the bark mulch:


  Lokks like a garden2.jpg (Size: 261.89 KB / Downloads: 41)

And this is how it looked about two weeks ago:


  Growing.jpg (Size: 655.8 KB / Downloads: 45)

Those are my potatoes in the foreground (covered in random assorted mulch from the rest of the garden, mostly weeds). I also have turnips, carrots, radishes, peashoots, lettuces (Tom Thumb ones from Muckdiva in the seed swap!), sorrel, beetroot, mange tout, kale, spring onions, wizard field beans, and more, all growing container free! I still have quite a few containers too, but I'll post pictures of those elsewhere.

I'll try to post some more pictures this weekend, as things have really taken off since that last photo.]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=98 Sat, 23 May 2020 10:09:52 +0000 Vinny]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=98
If I can find the original piccies from when I took over the plot I will post them. I still intend posting on the other forum so if you visit you may see the same thing twice.

The plot is mostly planted up now and yesterday was too windy to do much. I didn't feel safe in the greenhouse so busied myself with weeding my small maincrop carrot bed. Now that they have germinated, and even though they are in a raised bed, I think I will cover them with the fine mesh I used last year with some success at keeping carrot fly off.. This mesh was bought cheaply off a well know auction site and is designed as a fly screen to cover windows.
Because I have a bed spare I may sow a second lot of either Tendersnax or Chantenay carrots, not sure yet.

I hope I haven't bored you with this first post and maybe a few piccies in the future will make the thread a bit more interesting.]]>
If I can find the original piccies from when I took over the plot I will post them. I still intend posting on the other forum so if you visit you may see the same thing twice.

The plot is mostly planted up now and yesterday was too windy to do much. I didn't feel safe in the greenhouse so busied myself with weeding my small maincrop carrot bed. Now that they have germinated, and even though they are in a raised bed, I think I will cover them with the fine mesh I used last year with some success at keeping carrot fly off.. This mesh was bought cheaply off a well know auction site and is designed as a fly screen to cover windows.
Because I have a bed spare I may sow a second lot of either Tendersnax or Chantenay carrots, not sure yet.

I hope I haven't bored you with this first post and maybe a few piccies in the future will make the thread a bit more interesting.]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=94 Sat, 23 May 2020 05:00:50 +0000 Broadway]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=94
 

Pictures to follow........

---

Taking stock......

---

A little progress.....

  Plot-1-6th June 2019.jpg (Size: 197.98 KB / Downloads: 45)

  Plot-3-6th June 2019.jpg (Size: 163.2 KB / Downloads: 50)

  Plot-4-6th June 2019.jpg (Size: 148.61 KB / Downloads: 50)

  The Start.jpg (Size: 284.05 KB / Downloads: 47)

  20190623_104140.jpg (Size: 797.13 KB / Downloads: 46)

  20190623_104108.jpg (Size: 780.59 KB / Downloads: 50)

  20190623_100153 (640x360).jpg (Size: 265.95 KB / Downloads: 50) ]]>
 

Pictures to follow........

---

Taking stock......

---

A little progress.....

  Plot-1-6th June 2019.jpg (Size: 197.98 KB / Downloads: 45)

  Plot-3-6th June 2019.jpg (Size: 163.2 KB / Downloads: 50)

  Plot-4-6th June 2019.jpg (Size: 148.61 KB / Downloads: 50)

  The Start.jpg (Size: 284.05 KB / Downloads: 47)

  20190623_104140.jpg (Size: 797.13 KB / Downloads: 46)

  20190623_104108.jpg (Size: 780.59 KB / Downloads: 50)

  20190623_100153 (640x360).jpg (Size: 265.95 KB / Downloads: 50) ]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=75 Thu, 21 May 2020 15:02:08 +0000 doublyjonah]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=75
Some of you may remember from another time and place that I was fretting last year about taking on a full plot shortly after having my baby. I want to keep a little photo journal of our progress on the plot. If this isn't the best section for it, please let me know or move me as needed!

We took the plot in June last year (only a couple weeks shy of a year ago).

  IMG_20190609_124638356.jpg (Size: 173.3 KB / Downloads: 42)

It's still in every way a work in progress, but this is where we are now.

  IMG_20200521_113709110_HDR.jpg (Size: 196.97 KB / Downloads: 43)

Here are some embarrassing close ups of a few beds.

  IMG_20200520_105251854_HDR.jpg (Size: 260.02 KB / Downloads: 41)
  IMG_20200520_105258670_HDR.jpg (Size: 250.47 KB / Downloads: 36)
  IMG_20200520_105314308_HDR.jpg (Size: 254.99 KB / Downloads: 39)

I hope to have the bed on the left behind the wheelbarrow full of beans, corn, squash, and pumpkins in the next month or so.

Overall, we're pleased with how we're getting on (even if our plot still looks worse than some of the established ones that have been neglected due to COVID isolation thus far this year!).]]>
Some of you may remember from another time and place that I was fretting last year about taking on a full plot shortly after having my baby. I want to keep a little photo journal of our progress on the plot. If this isn't the best section for it, please let me know or move me as needed!

We took the plot in June last year (only a couple weeks shy of a year ago).

  IMG_20190609_124638356.jpg (Size: 173.3 KB / Downloads: 42)

It's still in every way a work in progress, but this is where we are now.

  IMG_20200521_113709110_HDR.jpg (Size: 196.97 KB / Downloads: 43)

Here are some embarrassing close ups of a few beds.

  IMG_20200520_105251854_HDR.jpg (Size: 260.02 KB / Downloads: 41)
  IMG_20200520_105258670_HDR.jpg (Size: 250.47 KB / Downloads: 36)
  IMG_20200520_105314308_HDR.jpg (Size: 254.99 KB / Downloads: 39)

I hope to have the bed on the left behind the wheelbarrow full of beans, corn, squash, and pumpkins in the next month or so.

Overall, we're pleased with how we're getting on (even if our plot still looks worse than some of the established ones that have been neglected due to COVID isolation thus far this year!).]]>