I’ve finally got on top of sorting out the net tunnel. Huge mountains of weeds and crop detritus has been removed. Dylan was so enthusiastic in his weed pulling that he also removed some chives and oregano. Never mind, I’ve plenty of herb clumps and it’s great to be rid of all the dock. In place of the dock are nice, neat rows of onions and garlic. Two things the furry menace doesn’t want to eat! I don’t usually grow lots of onions and garlic outside over Winter so this is a bit of an experiment.
I’m planning to dig out the paths in the net tunnel, put all the soil in the middle and construct one very large raised bed. The trend these days is not to have wooden sides on beds but I find they help keep the weeds at bay.
The windy weather has reminded me that it’s time to start collecting seaweed. I put a lot of seaweed on the raised beds and in the net tunnel last Winter, so I’ll probably not bother in those areas this year. I’ll put it on the big outside bed and in the Polycrub instead. I know there can be a problem with salt building up in soil that has had a lot of seaweed added so it’s probably better to move the stuff around anyway. It’s great to have a free resource so nearby.
This is the last week of Croft Shares for this year; it all begins again next April! Next week I’ll be basket weaving and felting in earnest. I won’t write this blog every week all Winter, I don’t suppose anyone needs constant updates on the mud situation (currently not bad.) I will write a bit about felt, baskets and the Christmas markets.
This week’s Croft Shares will have:
Sprouts, purple sprouting broccoli, salad leaves, chard, red cabbage and a few leeks or onions.
Anyone that subscribed last year may remember the vast red cabbages I grew. This years are a more modest and probably more manageable size!