Preparing the beds

This is what the tree looked like when we first went on the plot some of the very low branches were at Mini's eye level which wasn't safe and also caused a lot of shadow
This is the tree now I have pruned it and trimmed off some of the lower branches, this should raise the canopy a bit and make it safer

After many discussions about how we will lay out our plot and several different plans I think we have finally agreed this years layout. We've also been split between making raised beds which would be my preferred option and digging the ground, my husbands preference. So as in all things an element of compromise is required. We have settled that for this year the main four rotation beds will be in the ground with the other areas planted in raised beds and even some pots and compost growbags for fruit, salads etc.

This week it's done nothing but rain here, and it's been a busy week workwise and family wise so we haven't done much physically on the plot. The amount of water is amazing and after so much rain it is really collecting in the uneven areas, it makes me wonder about how we will get on next year if we actually have winter veg in the ground but I suppose it is trial and error. We have however made further decisions about varieties we want to grow and I now have a stack of seed catalogues. We visited our local plant nursery to take a look at some different fruit trees and we are planning to have one apple tree this year and some some raspberry canes, possibly some strawberries too. I'd also like a pear tree in the future and a few outdoor grape wines but you can't do everything at once. I'd also like to grow blueberries maybe next year but you need a specially prepared peat bed and with everything else we have to do in our first year this is a future development plan.

We made a start

We are finally the official plot holders of Plot 3 and today collected our key and the signed copy of the tenancy agreement from the council offices. After picking up a new padlock to secure the shed and some stakes to mark our boundaries we headed over to the colony. Looking at the plot again I suddenly felt a great wave of disenchantment. The plot I thought we'd seen and I'd agreed to didn't quite resemble what in reality was there on the ground. I felt a little disheartened and was beginning to wonder if we had really done the right thing. We settled Mini in the shed in her pram and with some toys to keep her occupied as well as some muchies to distract her and set about driving in 6 stakes around the edges of the plot and using garden twine to mark out our site. As soon as we had done this I felt instantly better as you could clearly see where our plot was and it instantly looked smaller. We decided that our first plan would be to dig a path 3 ft wide from the shed up to the end edge of our plot this would mean we had a clear area to walk on and use the wheelbarrow on without compressing other areas where we would be creating beds. The soil looks quite good, fairly rich and crumbly but it is quite wet at the moment in parts so we will have to see how well draining it will be when the worst of the winter weather has gone and we have dug it over getting rid of the weeds, brambles and grass which are forming a basin for the water to sit in. We did fairly well with the path and also secured the shed, the windows needed some attention and we padlocked the door. We also secured the pvc small greenhouse thing on the side of the shed which will be useful for bringing on seeds. By the end of the 2hrs we spent there I was feeling quite optimistic and I can't wait to go again, it was cold and hard work but very satisfying and seeing the other established plots which are bearing winter veg really inspired me that this time next year it could be us going to collect our brussels, leeks or winter squash. We'll have to wait and see.