First Post

This is my first summer is Scotland, after moving up here in February. We now have two and a half acres of garden with a gorge and nine acres of paddock. The site is very exposed and it can be extremely windy. Where to start? Here is the very first cut of the soil last year, with Rosemary providing both wisdom and muscles. The beds will be set out south to north; with two running parallel and not too wide. At the side I hope to plant some fruit trees. The first bed was properly double dug, with my mother in laws help.

October: Have now received wonderfull spade and gardening fork, which were presents from my parents in law. This will make the double digging easier!!! Unfortunately it is too wet and wild to try them out.

December: Gardening implements still sitting in the garage. In an attempt to burn of some calories I have started to dig over the next bed. Since nobody is watching and I am lazy I have only dug it over the once! Ground very wet and the bed we dug over in the Summer is still under water after the terential rains in October-not a good start. I have also dug three deep holes for the fruit trees near the fence next to the gorge. I am a bit worried that I dug them to close too the fence and that most of my fruit will end up in the gorge!

March: Have just dug over first bed again and planted the Shallots given to me by my mother in law. Have also dug over the second bed, which took a lot of effort since I didn't do it properly before. The lesson here is- do it properly the first time around!!! Following my experts advice I have covered the Shallots with some netting, although the birds do not seem that interested in them. Too many other things to eat around here.Shallots are taking up only half the bed so in the other half I will be planting the garlic I bought in the supermarket, which I have not used.