Trenbania

Finally! We started work on the area that now houses our polytunnel in December 2009 by using a mini digger to scrape off brambles and other rough vegetation and to roughly level a lumpy, sloping site. The frame went in during March. More digger work in June 2010 saw more levelling, the moving of many tons of soil from and to various parts of the garden and the creation of a new track to the bottom of the veggie patch.

Once the mechanical help was returned to the hire store, it was down to hard work and determination to prepare the ground (and a trench into almost solid clay at one point) toreach a point ready for the cover to go on during a warm day in September.

The cold has been and gone (and come back again), but we spent the last couple of weeks digging manure into the soil and building beds. The soil is still rough and will need a couple of years of attention to get it into the state we’d like it but, for now, we can think about getting some plants into the ground! Finally!

Spent the weekend on an island in one of the sheltered bays near Fanad Head. Weather was, well, once again wet, but we were determined to go and it was worth it! It was that soft rain that creates an atmosphere…

The island is owned by Uncle Joe and he’s created a home-from-home in a seafront location, complete with tidal suite – so named ‘cos at very high tides the sea comes into the living room!!

Sunday morning was spent rowing around the island on the boat trying to catch as much seaweed as we can – rather than fish, which would have meant dinner later – while being followed by a suspicious seal (who probably wasn’t concerned that we were going to deprive him of HIS dinner!).

We came home armed with some sloes and hazelnuts from the fantastic little, relatively untouched woodland – not to eat (or flavour the gin), but to grow. Having a passion for Irish woodland, we’d like to extend ours, but only with the best of Irish seed.

We’ve also just eaten the pie made from the blackberries…

The wind blew last night like we should expect it to blow over the next few months. A few panels (not glass!) blew out of the greenhouse, but then I’d never got round to using silicone as it recommends for those ‘exposed places’.

Sorting out the heating last week, so no progress in the garden. New woodburning, boiler stove going in with a heat accumulator and solar – at least that’s the plan. Should than be able to get the upstairs rads warm – even if this winter is anything like the last!!

Donegal is wet! Generally. This year’s been pretty good with a warm dry early summer, followed by the dullest July since records began (whenever that was).

The last few days have been good too. So more raised beds have been built, including one today with our Autumn raspberries – for next Autumn! Trying to grow food here without raising the beds would be much more difficult…

Our beds are being dug thoroughly and improved with 30 tons of local manure!!

So, this is the first post. Have to start somewhere. Spent the last six months preparing the ground and finally reached the point where the tunnel was ready to receive its cover – just needed the right weather, which hasn’t been forthcoming in recent weeks.

This is the beginning of our attempt to grow as much fruit and veg as we can. No targets set. Just see what happens! A few token lettuce and tomatoes this year, but the groundwork is almost complete. Next year will be when the hard work pays off…