Thank you bramble (Gabrielle) As a new user I'm not sure about the etiquette around names - signed name or user name in replies?

I reckon by making things as labour saving as possible I'll still be going in 20 years time - hope you will too!

I'm intending to put some small fruit trees on the plot as well as plenty of flowers to attract the right sort of insects - and for their pleasure factor-. I've always gardened as organically as possible so shall continue on this road.

It's a joy to be up there working. It'll probably be a different proposition in winter working in the teeth of a gale and in rain and sleet though. It's on high ground and the wind blows right across it.

Am trying to work out what quantities to sow and plant in the future. The plot is enormous and I shan't need half of what I'll be tempted to grow, I'm sure. I only wanted half a plot but when my name came up it was Hobson's choice - I either took what was available or my name went to the bottom of the list again.

I love supersprout's advice about not digging - I've got a load of manure and like the idea of spreading and covering it instead of trenching. The soil is very light and free-draining though, supersprout, so will this work equally well?