10th of April 2007

Have started a new compost heap, by reusing the compost bin left by previous resident. Unfortunately I seem to have lost the lid, so I will cover it up with some cardboard.

Had lovely time yesterday in various garden centers looking at fruit trees. After a long discussion with my mother in law, I went back today to the garden centre nearest to us, which seems to have the biggest selection, although it is quite small.

I decided to buy two apple trees and plant them asap, before it gets to hot!!! I am slightly worried that the soil will dry out and I will be unable to water them regularly, but if I wait until October it will already be cold and wont give the tree a chance to settle in. The apple trees bought were Bramley on M26, a cooker and Katy a dessert apple also on M26. Pollination might be a problem and I will definitely soon have to buy another eating apple tree to pollinate the other one. The garden center recommended Discovery. Not that worried regarding pollination this summer, at least the trees will have a chance to settle in. Generally pollination may be a problem since the site is very exposed, but some of my neighbours seem to be OK.Would have liked to have bought a Morello cherry tree, but the only ones they had, although very beautiful, were on the wrong rootstock. They promised to order me one. Staff very helpful and together we managed to get them and two posts in the rather small car. Not much room left for Anna. Tonight the two trees are outside in a sheltered spot, sitting in a lot of water and waiting to be planted tomorrow morning.