Got this 2 weeks ago

That composter in the top picture of my previous post - fully emptied into new raised beds.

4 posts concreted in today - cross bars and half of the uprights going on tomorrow. I'll be tacking some green fruit netting to the interior of the new fence to stop debris falling out and to let air in.

Pic's of finished item to follow.

Slightly peeved today - another allotment holder had a massive load of manure delivered on Friday and was selling the excess off at 50p a wheel barrow. Arrived this morning and it's all gone .

 

New composter finished - but forgot to take a photo

Today's top tip if you're looking for a fruit cage:

I've calculated the cost of materials to build a fruit cage from wood - you may as well buy a pre made fruit cage - as the cost of materials is the same as the cost of a prefabricated cage.

 

Today's effort - before it bucketed down:

New composter - half lined with fruit netting - as I ran out of thumb tacks - typical -





Planted up two of the raised beds with 'Cambridge Favourite' strawberries. Compost provided by the 'old' composter and strawberries provided gratis by another allotment holder. So looking forward to making some strawberry wine next year.

 

You should be ready for next Spring!

Steve...

 

Today's effort:



Paving slab laid to complete path and soil dug over ready for daffs.

Picked up a 12.5 kg bag of mixed daffs for 9.99 - which I thought was quite good.

 

Picked up a very nice Red Boskoop apple tree for my mini allotment orchard - 10 GBP from B&Q - which is a good price. They also have plum, pear and cherry . If you're looking for a fruit tree then pop along to your local B&Q.

 

Planted the Kosztela apple tree today - after shifting 17 barrow loads of cow manure - it was windy, cold and sometimes rained.

Now that's dedication....possibly....or something else .

Red Boskoop going in tomorrow - B&Q didn't have a Granny Smith so I'll have to order of t'net.

Time/will/body permitting will be planting the daffs under the trees tomorrow.

 

Today's effort:

Installed a couple of posts for my Boskoop Glory vine - if you look closely you can see the post caps matching the rest of the fencing and the installed wire eyes. Will be waiting for the Postcrete to go rock hard before installing and tensioning the wires. Usual rule followed 25% of the post below ground - so here - 6 foot above and 2 foot below. Just look at how level the posts are . The pathway looks off because it has been installed wonky - nowt I can do about it.

 

Today's effort:

Installed wire supports to vine trellis - tied a bin bag around wires - someone is bound to try and walk/run through the posts and garrote themselves -



Installed a couple of new shelves in the shed - the painted ones - if you look on the bottom shelf, you can see my new red insulated mug. It has a top so can be sealed against creepy crawlies climbing in. 3 quid from Morrisons -



Moved chair inside and installed a plump cushion - my sanctuary from the bad weather -

 

Your lucky you can get a chair in your shed! I have two BIG sheds and cannot get into them, let alone set up a chair..lol

Steve...

 

I did cheat a bit - if you have a look at the top picture, to the right of the shed, behind the wheel barrow - is a plastic tool chest. It's one of those that you can also use as a bench - useful for sitting on when struggling with wellies. Some of the tools are in there.

Like you, I was getting to the position where I could only stand in the shed - now I can sit comfortably with a cuppa, whilst listening to the radio .

 

Luxury! It's a major exercise getting into my shed to try and find something...

Steve...

 

Measured up for 2 new arches - connecting the ends of the main path in front of the yet to be purchased greenhouse.

After picking myself up off the floor - having found out that a 'cheap' wooden arch is at least 50 quid - and they do look 'cheap' - I'm going to make my own. I reckon the timber and fixings for 2 arches will be 50 quid.

Painting up now - arch going in Thursday - watch this space for piccies .

 

Today's effort:

Installed 3 of the arch uprights - couldn't install the 4th as I could not level it up without a spare piece of straight timber to place on top of the 3rd and 4th uprights - if that makes sense.

Uprights 1 and 2 -



Upright 3 -



4th upright to go in tomorrow, as will the top bar - which I'm cutting and painting in a minute.