New members first gardening attempt.

I had to take down a couple of scabby old pear trees and a fairly large Ash that had rooted itself behind the shed. I hired a tiller for the day to break up the soil and get it somewhere near level. The polytunnel I bought came in kit form. Everything was labelled and the instructions were easy to follow. It is surprising how sturdy it is once put together. It measures 30 X 14 feet. I got he extra hieght version as I am not exactly a midget.

This is the tunnel virtually complete.



I put down a narrow gravel path round the outside, (Hoping that will deter slugs and snails). The gravel came from the base under the old shed. Bit of graft to collect it all and store it on a large tarpauline, but well worth the effort as gravel is quite expensive to buy. The trees I took down have all been cut up and stacked to season for firewood.

The other side of the garden had a large mound of all sorts of plant life, 99% weeds, brambles and nettles. I hired a mini digger, scrapped off the weeds and dumped them in big bags to go to the tip. Then scrapped off all the topsoil and stored that for use later. I bought some old railway sleepers and used some of them to build a low wall around what was going to be the new chicken run. Stood them on thier sides and hammered long stakes into the ground to support the front of them. Then scrapped the mound of soil level behind them. I had some 4 inch posts that I had saved from another job and used them for the chicken wire supports. Made a new mesh gate from some of the timber from the big shed. My four chickens now have a run measuring about 20 x 20 feet and a new henhouse. They seem quite happy and are laying four eggs a day.


I had another shed at the side of the house which was pretty much a dumping ground for bike parts, bike tyres, bycycles and any other junk that I refused to store in my workshop. Measured 8 X 6 feet. I took that apart, levelled a new plot and used some reclaimed breeze blocks for a base. Put the shed back together on the new base. Made a new roof for it and fitted new felt. Soon as the weather improves I will give it a coat of preservative and make some racks for my new garden tools.

Just outside the dining room french doors is a large pond that was built before I moved here, by Mrs Chopper. It has its own eco system and seems to thrive without any interference from me.

Part of the plan was to build another pond above and behind the original one. Mrs Chopper is very keen on ponds so this was very much her baby. All I did was use the digger to dig out the hole she wanted. Mrs Chopper is a very accomplished artist and has had about 50 natural history books published that she did all of the illustrations, very talented and modest too. So she knows all of the little insects and water plants.

This is the other side of the garden, not quite finished.



Chopper.

The last photo shows the old pond, the new one and the refurbished shed. Behind the shed is the new chicken run. As you can see I have built a raised seating area using railway sleepers and some fo the gravel, plus a raised bed along the new fence. PLease take note: If you are thinking of using sleepers for a garden project, you can buy them quite cheaply off ebay and lots of other places. Worth shopping around but don't forget to consider delivery charges. The other thing to bear in mind is the weight of the sleepers. I used to be able to lift this kind of weight easily, not any more. They are very heavy and solid so might be a good idea to get some help.

I don't have any pictures yet of the veg plot. I used three sleepers end to end on thier side to form a boundary at the front of the plot. When finished the plot will measure about 34 x 25 feet. We have built two raised beds so far. One for strawberries and one for cabbages. Soon as I planted the cabbages the pigeons attacked them. Out came the gun and our cats had some fun as well, but I couldn't sit there all day watching them.

The answer was to use some round tube conduit that I was given. Bent it into arches and planted them in the raised bed. Next a trip to the local scrap store and I had a large piece of black netting. The netting was big enough to drape over the arches and hold down with some logs each side. No more pigeon attacks and despite the rough weather the cabbages have recovered.

This picture shows the inside of the tunnel.



After getting the gardening bug, I had a good think about what I wanted to grow. Looked through dozens of books and websites, then went round several garden centres. I know that flowers and roughy toughy bikers do not usually mix, but I really don't care about that. Anyone has a problem with me growing flowers can come and chat face to face with me.

Some of the flowers I saw, I really liked. So much so that I wanted to grow some myself. Now as the tunnel was finished about the end of September, I had to break into the annual cycle somewhere. So I cheated a bit and bought a load of plug plants. Violas, Primulas, Dianthus, Delphiniums, Calendulas etc etc. That is what you can see potted on on the staging.

I built the staging using reclaimed decking boards. I used to have a big balconey where my workshop now is. I kept all the boards and used the longest ones to make the staging. It is very strong and does not flex under the weight of all the plants. By the time I had stopped potting, I had filled all of the staging, about 800 plants in all.



You can see the raised bed inside the tunnel in this picture.

Chopper

I am now in the planning stage for my veg patch and quite excited about getting started on it. Mrs Chopper did most of the veg plot digging before the frost and snow came. We spread some horse muck over and left it for the frost to break down. We hadn't quite finished all the digging before the frost came down.

This is what we are planning on growing. All from seed.

Peas, Broad, French and Runner beans, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Swede, Parsnip, Courgettes, Potatos, Onions, Garlic, Spring Onions, Raddish, Lettuce, Cucumbers, Tomatos, Peppers, Carrots, Broccoli.

For fruit we are going to grow, Raspberries, Strawberries, Gooseberries and Rhubarb. We have four fruit trees to plant out soon as the weather allows. Apple, Pear, Plum and Cherry.

Going to be busy. I have already planted up about 8 hanging basket with Violas and they are doing very well hanging in the tunnel. I am also making some wooden planters. We have planted a few hundred bulbs in various parts of the garden and they are all starting to show.

Got lots to do and lots to learn. Really looking forward to getting stuck in to it all. Any advice or opinions I would be interested to hear.

Regards

Chopper.

Thanks for sharing this Chopper. I would kill for a poly tunnel like that.
However, be warned that many sturdy looking tunels up here have be ruined by the snowfall in December. We had over 2 foot of snow in just over a day and the weight caused much damage so such structures as the tubular supports just buckled. If it were mine up here i would put additional wooden supports to help share the load.
I understand what you say about doing things in short burst of energy.. thats what me and my made do.
Cheers.. Roger

Here's wishing you a productive and happy 2011! Welcome!

I'm with arpoet and would love a tunnel like that, I only have half plots so wouldn't have room for it at the mo.

Welcome to the vine BTW Chopper

Welcome to the vine Chopper. From the photos you have been doing a grand job and you are justified in being proud of your efforts. I hope it is helping you, health wise, too.

You can be getting on with sowing a few early tomatoes and chillies / peppers - indoors in the warm - ready to put out in your tunnel when it gets a bit milder outside. I'm going to sow some sprouting broccoli today because I'm experimenting with the moon days. And garlic needs to go in soon, outside - a cold spell will help with forming proper heads of garlic, so I understand.

Your garden looks great!

Welcome to the forum. Let us know how you get on.

Hello and welcome to the vine Chopper, sounds like you're all ready for the growing season.

Wow Chopper, a very impressive polytunnel, it took me quite a while to build mine, especialy as I did a DIY one, and just made it up as I went along, so I know where you were coming from about building yours. Your garden is looking wonderful, you must be very proud of you achievments so far.

Mr TK

Wow, I'd love a garden of that size!! Thanks for posting this, I really enjoy reading stuff like this - esp with pictures

Wow, all I can say is "Well Done!" That poly tunnel is fantastic. Makes my 10x6 greenhouse look like a plant Wendy House. Good luck for the new growing season.

That looks awesome, would love that as oppose to my battered old greenhouse!

Steve

My goodness...you are an inspiration to us all!
Well done on the results of all your hard work!
Thanks for sharing your piccies too.

( I hope Mrs Chopper can be persuaded to have her brains picked at some point...we could all benefit from advice from a pond expert!!)