Plot 13 - Machete Attack!
After the rains at the begining of last week I have finally managed to get into Plot 13 and see what there is as I hacked away at the new plot with my new best friend - a sharp big reaping "axe"!!! It looks like a long handled machete!! Unsurprisingly we managed to get through the 4ft stinging nettles, small trees, brambles and bushes with ease!!
After having a good afternoon of hacking I discovered a few hidden gems in amongst the undergrowth including some large fruiting gooseberry bushes, lots of raspberry canes (lookin a little less than healthy) and some fruiting redcurrant bushes too!
What is a puzzle is the two large bushes that are in the middle of my patch - am not sure what these are at all. The photograph (left) shows them so if you have any ideas please let me know!! :-)
My new best friend was wielded well - but I did suffer with a few blood drawing scratches, stings and blisters - but thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it!! :-)
A nice Chinese lady, fellow tenant, came over to introduce herself to me and tell me that it was worth speaking to "Paul" as he would clear the site and rotavate it for £25.. Now I am not adverse to some hard work but that sounds like a bargain to me!!
Not sure what to do with the fruiting discoveries - should I dig them up and replant them or just take them out and replace them with fresh stock?? Decisions, decisions....
After all the hard work and effort that went into the session I was very disheartened by the look on the before and after photos!! It does look better in real-life... But am thinking I may spend the £25 to see the results quicker - I want to get growing!!!!!! 0:-)
Before After
Views: 13
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Comment by Melinda Que_Linda on June 4, 2011 at 13:47 -
Steven- I have axe envy!
Your before and after pics look the same! Have you posted the correct 'after' photo?
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Comment by les fenner on June 4, 2011 at 20:24 -
dont get anyone in do it yourself bit at a time its worth it trust me i know
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Comment by Jan Willetts on June 4, 2011 at 20:25 -
Thought your mystery plant was a silver birch until I saw the bigger picture, clearly not! Have you got a picture of the leaves? been clearing a new plot myself this year, its hard work and have only managed three beds so far, but the rest is mown so doesn't look quite so daunting. I covered one bed with compost and cardboard and it killed the grass but not the bindweed so have resorted to roundup/glyphosate just on the bindweed. I am planning on covering with more compost and planting pumpkins once the bindweed has gone.
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Comment by Steven Monks on June 4, 2011 at 21:48 -
I think I will clear a lot of it but the plot hasnt been used in years!! I have a forest of plants just waiting to get planted out on my terrace - a friend commented the other day that my "garden is almost in the apartment" as I am running out of space out there!!
So I think get the rotavator in and then work it out from there...
As for the leaves - I will try and get a close up shot of them sorted... I did bring some back to take photos of but they've curled up and drooped already!!! :-)
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Comment by Debbie on June 5, 2011 at 11:28 -
I can't get a clear enough picture to help with the mystery bushes so reget I can't help. However, I vote for the rotavator. You sound as though you want to get on and see results and why should you deny yourself that?
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Comment by elaine rickett on June 10, 2011 at 22:18 -
They both look like before and before pics to me!
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Comment by elaine rickett on June 10, 2011 at 22:20
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Rotovators are death to the soil structure - don't do it!
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Comment by elaine rickett on June 10, 2011 at 22:21
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Don't be impatient Steven - Jan Willets has the right idea.
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Comment by Debbie on June 10, 2011 at 22:23
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It's not impatience. I say rotivate now and then do bits at a time. The best of both worlds and it means you can get on with it as you say you want to.
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Comment by Debbie on June 13, 2011 at 19:22
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Steven is that shrub a Goat Willow? I've visited Heligan today and seen something that looks a bit like it.
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