So after transporting the wood back from Wickes last weekend, I cut the 2” by 1” lengths with the saw into 2’ long battens (with a point on one end to make it easier to drive them into the ground) & a couple of the gravel boards in half, so I had my ‘raised bed kit’ ready for this weekend…
It was bright & cold yesterday, perfect raised-bed making weather, so I went to the Hill with my ‘raised bed kit’ of wood, a jar of screws, cordless screwdriver, lump-hammer, saw & tape measure.
Three hours later – which included chatting to returning-allotmenteer-Chris, & Potager Chrissie (up by cheery Brian & Pauline) – & here is the result.Fanfare, please!
I am immensely pleased with how this has turned out – so much so, that I went back to Wickes this afternoon & bought another pack of wood & started on bed number 2 (or plot d1, as it should be called). This one is slightly trickier, as I’m working round the brassicas which are already in situ here.
It’s been rather a good day all round, actually. I went to Ryton this morning for their potato day – I had done some homework on which varieties to grow this year, & they were all available there with the exception of one, & I even managed to get some dunluce which John Badger at the bottom recommended, so I’ve picked some up for him too.
There was also a seed swap, & I took some small packs of various beans & peas to contribute. I managed not to come away with too many in return – although I couldn’t resist some squash seeds, lettuce, a climbing bean & some pea beans…I had a lovely time looking round the gardens too – it was perishing cold last year, so I didn’t hang around – but I did enjoy myself today, & it’ll be worth going back for another look when things are growing later in the year.
Then I got my fingers dirty by popping a few LETTUCE (HSL stoke) & SHALLOT (PW banana) seeds into a couple of pots too, just to make me feel like a gardener again & not a carpenter...
That raised bed certainly looks The Business Hazel.
ReplyDeleteI tried Dunluce one year and didn't like it much - I found it a bit fluffy for my taste. However, I gave some to a friend who reckoned it was the best potato he'd had for years!
Hope you love them too.
Looks awesome ...Far better than my efforts :O) ...
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I'll have to see if the Dunluce are to my liking, Flum - as long as they don't disappear through the sieve I'll be happy enough - I find that mash is one of life's pleasures, after all!
ReplyDeleteI thought of you, Dinzie, when I was putting the beds in at the weekend - I thought 'I might not have the lovely views, but at least I'm not lugging this lot half way up a mountain!' ;-)
We are well impressewd with your carpentry skills Hazel. Rumour has it that you will be building an Ark shortly is that right?
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