Cheers, Jimmy, for the green manures link. It's about the best one I've yet to come across. On the list of 'Spring and Summer Sowers' I think I'm tending towards Crimson Clover.
After forking over the area currently under the sheeting (hopefully starting the end of March, finishing end April), my idea is then to level it all off by raking and treading (overall the site is pretty uneven). Why I'm now thinking of sowing grass seed, is that I've decided to opt for a series of grass paths between narrow beds and it seems the easiest way is to 'do the lot' and then cut the beds into it. Grass paths are going to be harder work to look after, I know, but I like their look, and they should make a nice contrast to my neighbours (who's gone for the chipped bark option). Giving the plot the summer for the soil to 'settle back down' should ensure that paths arn't too 'spongy', and that all signs of the perennials will be gone before sowing. 'Patient Preparation' should be my nickname! :o)
You'll be glad to hear that I've gone cold on my 'St. George's Cross' idea, not quite having enough confidence in my ability to cope with any unwanted attention it might bring. I'm not much of a British (or English) nationalist, btw, agreeing with Billy Bragg's sentiment that we should 'take down the Union Jack it clashes with the sunset'. It's also a good thing, I feel, if we can continue to shake off the associations England's flag has previously had with extreme nationalism. My intentions were purely to show support for the footie team, but as they really don't need it.. 1966, 2006.. it's a cert! :o)
I took a nice close-up pic of a Cabbage White last year which I'll dig out and post. They are very common here in Kent so I'll probably shaln't encourage them on my small plot, but I'll do everything I can to encourage the nettle bed behind my back fence - I might well put the contents of the compost heap that was made previous to my tenancy there as I know nettles like a nitrogen-rich soil, and are very good for butterflys.
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1 comment:
Cheers, Jimmy, for the green manures link. It's about the best one I've yet to come across. On the list of 'Spring and Summer Sowers' I think I'm tending towards Crimson Clover.
After forking over the area currently under the sheeting (hopefully starting the end of March, finishing end April), my idea is then to level it all off by raking and treading (overall the site is pretty uneven). Why I'm now thinking of sowing grass seed, is that I've decided to opt for a series of grass paths between narrow beds and it seems the easiest way is to 'do the lot' and then cut the beds into it. Grass paths are going to be harder work to look after, I know, but I like their look, and they should make a nice contrast to my neighbours (who's gone for the chipped bark option). Giving the plot the summer for the soil to 'settle back down' should ensure that paths arn't too 'spongy', and that all signs of the perennials will be gone before sowing. 'Patient Preparation' should be my nickname! :o)
You'll be glad to hear that I've gone cold on my 'St. George's Cross' idea, not quite having enough confidence in my ability to cope with any unwanted attention it might bring. I'm not much of a British (or English) nationalist, btw, agreeing with Billy Bragg's sentiment that we should 'take down the Union Jack it clashes with the sunset'. It's also a good thing, I feel, if we can continue to shake off the associations England's flag has previously had with extreme nationalism. My intentions were purely to show support for the footie team, but as they really don't need it.. 1966, 2006.. it's a cert! :o)
I took a nice close-up pic of a Cabbage White last year which I'll dig out and post. They are very common here in Kent so I'll probably shaln't encourage them on my small plot, but I'll do everything I can to encourage the nettle bed behind my back fence - I might well put the contents of the compost heap that was made previous to my tenancy there as I know nettles like a nitrogen-rich soil, and are very good for butterflys.
Best Regards,
Tim
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