The garden

We've decided on a basic plan for the garden and are trying to get as much work done as possible before the weather turns nasty.

Felling the tree

The ash tree is coming down - all 70 foot of it. I feel like I am murdering a tree but we will be keeping the wood to burn and using all the brushwood as mulch for the garden so at least we are recycling it. To prepare for its demise we need to create an area to store the logs and build something out of wood and chicken wire to hold the mulch.

Compost bins

The compost bins will be moved to the end of the garden - we are in the process of collecting pallets from around the area so Matt can make a structure containing three or four sections to rotate the compost as it goes through it's different stages.

Allotment

We've decided on a four bed crop rotation system at the end of the garden. I had mixed success with the veggies I planted in spring and I'm quite pleased they did so well considering I did absolutely nothing to prepare the soil. Our intention all along was to put as much goodness as possible back into the soil over the winter and start planting in the spring.

Two of the four beds have been dug and prepared already and I am conducting a little experiment suggested by my green-fingered friend Helen. One plot will be overwintered with green manure (mustard seed), the second will be overwintered with manure purchased from our local horticultural society. It will be interesting to see which method works the best. The third and fourth plots will be dug up next summer as we have run out of time this year. Ultimately, we will build four raised beds and create brick walkways between them.

Shed

The garage is freaking me out as it looks as if it is about to fall down. Bits of wood have started falling away from the lintel supporting the roof so it's only a matter of time before the whole thing collapses. Before we demolish it we need to buy a large shed to store all the garden stuff but before we buy a shed we need to prepare the ground for the shed to stand on. It's going in the allotment and I want a patio/seating area in front of it. The allotment will then be fenced off with a trellis and gate.

Roses

The roses are going to be moved to the front garden as soon as I have researched the best time of year to do it and the best way of doing it. I'm not sure what will replace them. I'm imagining a couple of fruit trees and a wild meadow with flowers to cut for the house during the summer.

Hopefully all of this will be completed by Christmas. Maybe I'm dreaming?