The last weeks weather has been incredible and we have got lots done outside on the smallholding. I made a compost heap from pallets, posts and tied together with rope. Then I filled it with fym, grass clippings (actually mowed my lawns), cardboard, weeds, soil and lots of old straw from when we cleaned the barn out.
I decided to mow the long grass with an old mower that doesn't have a grass box. I raised the height of cut to the highest setting and duly mowed the grass. Over the next few weeks I will take the cutting height down a notch, every time I cut. The frost should also knock the growth back a bit. Who says you can't mow wet grass eh?
The top half (Brassed Off film quote: "Top half only") of the plot was dug over with my trusty four prong pike with the long handle and any small stones and weeds were duly removed. Jack Frost painted the earth and he is doing an excellent job, breaking the soil down and making it friable. Hopefully it will also kill off any nasties in the soil too. I also spread some lime on the plot to sweeten it a bit.
The cattle having a day out on the pasture. They are growing like mad now and of course they treated to their cow disco: legs and tails up in the air and jump and generally run around and be daft.
Now we all like to find uses for stuff that's broken or we don't want no more, don't we? We use pallets for the sides of the compost heap, wellington boots for gate hinges..., and now I have found a use for an old couch. Closing a gap. There is a barbed wire fence behind it. We are going to observe the couch over ("yawn") next twelve months. Seeing how mother nature weathers and grows over the couch. Some creatures might even take up residence in it? Hope it's not any of the lads and lasses with the long tails. It was that cold last night. Even the rats were wearing fur coats! The old one's are the best, aren't they?
The weather forecast is dry and sunny for next week. So I reckon the veg plot should look hunky dory and ready for the growing season. Have you heard the sound of the first lawnmower yet? Are you busy digging your plot over? Have a good week!
I decided to mow the long grass with an old mower that doesn't have a grass box. I raised the height of cut to the highest setting and duly mowed the grass. Over the next few weeks I will take the cutting height down a notch, every time I cut. The frost should also knock the growth back a bit. Who says you can't mow wet grass eh?
The top half (Brassed Off film quote: "Top half only") of the plot was dug over with my trusty four prong pike with the long handle and any small stones and weeds were duly removed. Jack Frost painted the earth and he is doing an excellent job, breaking the soil down and making it friable. Hopefully it will also kill off any nasties in the soil too. I also spread some lime on the plot to sweeten it a bit.
The cattle having a day out on the pasture. They are growing like mad now and of course they treated to their cow disco: legs and tails up in the air and jump and generally run around and be daft.
Now we all like to find uses for stuff that's broken or we don't want no more, don't we? We use pallets for the sides of the compost heap, wellington boots for gate hinges..., and now I have found a use for an old couch. Closing a gap. There is a barbed wire fence behind it. We are going to observe the couch over ("yawn") next twelve months. Seeing how mother nature weathers and grows over the couch. Some creatures might even take up residence in it? Hope it's not any of the lads and lasses with the long tails. It was that cold last night. Even the rats were wearing fur coats! The old one's are the best, aren't they?
The weather forecast is dry and sunny for next week. So I reckon the veg plot should look hunky dory and ready for the growing season. Have you heard the sound of the first lawnmower yet? Are you busy digging your plot over? Have a good week!
It has been a lovely sunny day today, we left a very tired boy with Grandma and went for a fab, sunny walk. I love your photos, you know what I'm going to say to you now Dave don't you? Look after your back :)
ReplyDeleteTwiggy
Yes it's great to go for a walk when it's not windy and raining. Supposed to be nice all week then the rain returns. We always get the rain after the frost. Yes us bad back sufferers! Thanks Twiggy.
DeleteI find your smallholder updates very interesting Dave. Your approach of making best use of what's available to hand comes through again, but Wellington boots for gate hinges?
ReplyDeleteHello Philip. I am pleased you find the updates interesting. Yes we like to make do and mend and recycle if possible. Wellington boots make great hinges if you cut them into rubber strips and use clout nails for screws to fix them to a wooden gate/pallet. We make proper metal gates too. Thanks!
DeleteI love that photos of the cows out in the pasture- the countryside around you is so beautiful Dave.
ReplyDeleteYes CT. The countryside is incredibly beautiful here in Ireland. Thanks for your comment!
ReplyDeleteAww thanks for your lovely comment on my blog Dave, what a nice thing to say. You call it talent I call it mucking about ha ha :)
ReplyDeleteTwiggy
I believe we all have talent Twiggy. You certainly have an abundance of it with your jewellery making.
ReplyDelete