We have been making some improvements to the fabric of the fruit & veg garden.
The shelter has had a bit of a face lift with the stone floor cleaned and enlarged, the thatch given a good scrape to remove layers of moss and a new ridge-cap put on, by our local thatcher.
We have also been creating a water feature using an old granite trough which we bought, courtesy of a very generous bequest. This has been positioned in front of the wall, and beside it we have dug a hole for a tank which will house a pump. This will allow water to be circulated, emerge from the wall and fall into the trough. It is always nice to have some moving water in the garden, and the birds are always glad of a drink. We may even try a few edible aquatics!
Our two main gravel paths are in the process of being upgraded to brick paths. The old gravel has been dug out (with the help of a mini-digger), sand has been laid, levelled and compacted and now we are busy laying the brick pavers in a herring bone pattern.
One of the benefits of all this cold weather is the improvement in the flavour of those parsnips left in the ground. Also the sprouts taste much better having had a good frost on them and we have got a few left to have with our Christmas Dinner (this is a variety called ‘Wellington’ which has done well for us this year).
Hopefully there will also be a few less overwintering pests ready to attack our new season’s fruit and veg after this long cold spell!
Peter Earl, Senior Supervisor, Fruit & Veg Garden