Gardening in a Polytunnel 2.....Making raised beds

I am delighted with my polytunnel being able to work in all weathers is wonderful.

Like many gardeners I have back problems so high level beds are essential. 
And if you build them yourself you can get them tailored to your needs.

I started with the front and back supports, these were buried in the earth. Then I added cross pieces to hold them upright and to support the 'shelf'.

I then added the wood slats running the full length of the tunnel.

Wide boards, fixed at the corners, made up the boxes.  

Divisions fixed again at the corners were put in every 92 cms. the first box filled with soil.

An empty box with seeds sown in pots.

On the other side of the tunnel I only did the staging half way and left the end to grow tall vegetables like runner beans and peas.

The bottom of the staging being filled with soil ready to plant out courgettes, squash and brassicas.

That's all for now, watch out for Gardening in a Polytunnel 3!

Gardening in a polytunnel in Ireland ... The beginning

Gardening in any weather!

After last years very poor yield in my garden in south east Ireland I decided to order a polytunnel in January, so hopefully this year I shall have vegetables and herbs in abundance.
I decided to get a 10' x 16' from Colin Warren polytunnels
The first job was to level the site...part of which was my original vegetable garden.

The site which I had covered with plastic to kill back some of the grass.

The site then had to be levelled with extra room at the front so that the door could open outwards.

The van arrived with all the kit and two men to construct my tunnel. The hoops and the door frames were inserted into holes and concreted in place. 

The cross braces were put into position and the frames for the doors. Heavy wood battens were fixed all around the base.

Next  the plastic went on over the frame and was stretched taut and fixed around wood battens at the base, which were then secured to the wood already in place. It was then pleated and fixed around the door frames front and back

A stout door was fixed in place.

And a net screen on the back, which also had a roll down plastic door inside for the colder weather.


Watch out for the next part where I shall be planning and building the raised beds inside!

In my Garden in July

THE BROAD BEAN HARVEST HAS STARTED!

Yes its time to Harvest broad beans again.

They are best picked young when the beans are tender and tasty.

A HOW TO  tip to 'get into' them!


I used to be one of these...twirl and peel...very tedious if you have a pile to do!

 UNTIL I discovered this method.
Just needs a sharp vegetable peeler.

 At their best peeled and cooked immediately.
There are some wonderful Moroccan recipes for using broad beans.
for you to try.


In spicy tomato sauce

Garden News for May

Already into June! I have been back from Spain a week.In the two weeks I was away my garden had turned into a jungle of greenery! I am just beging to get it tamed.
Today I sowed more seeds both  in the greenhouse  and outside.
The seeds I sowed at begining of May to replace the plants that were killed by the frost were ready to plant out...so now I have all my runner and French  beans, peas and courgettes looking good....no more frosts please!

Runner beans

Peas

 I also planted out Squash and Vegetable Spaghetti.

Courgettes, squash and vegetable spaghetti

Salads

Tomorrow I have all the broccoli, sprouts and kale to plant out.

Broccoli and kale

 And a few more seeds to sow, then its just the leeks to put out, they are not quite big enough yet ... and then I should be able to get on with the flower borders.

While I was away my beautiful double red hawthorn came into flower.

Double red hawthorne

In the green house the tomatoes and cucumbers are doing well....so are the weeds!

Tomatoes

Cucumbers

 

 

......and the first strawberries!

Strawberries

And more outside......

Broad beans at last fattening up!

Globe artichokes

 

 

 

 

 

and herbs

Garden News for April

Planting out, potting up and other garden happenings.

Broad beans I planted out survived the rain and sleet

 In the green house the seeds I sowed have started to flourish, assorted sweet peas

Courgettes, vegetable spaghetti and squash

Runner beans

Sugar peas and french beans

Tomatoes and globe artichokes

Jerusalem artichokes ready to plant out

and in the greenhouse borders.... lettuce and

 Mizuma greens

and the strawberries have started flowering

 and outside

The last of the Purple sprouting broccoli

Lovage, delicious added to soups

and cat mint for my feline friends

apple blossom

and black currants

Unfortunately the damage from two winters ago is still showing up

..lots of pruning to do!