Pictorial Meadows cont...


Fun and games this meadowy stuff. Fair enough, it isn't a meadow in the true sense of the word - that being low fertility soil, a mixture of grasses, native wildflowers and so on. It actually takes years to create a 'true' meadow, but I need something this Summer so the planned Pictorial meadow continues. The first installment is here.


It's bloody hard work preparing the ground. The rotavator pictured really wasn't up to the job, way too feeble to till to a depth of 20cms as recommended by  Pictorial Meadows ltd  so my only real option was to dig the soil by hand, all 85 square metres of it! Feeble rotavator did create a fine tilth to the turned earth however, a lot easier than using just a rake.



My cat dug better holes than the rotavator, here's the proof. I'm laughing, look at the focus and intent, it's such an important job.


So after two days digging and rotavating I'll wait to see what weeds appear from the disturbed seed bank. They'll need removing and then I can sow.

The cherry blossom bloomed in the time I took to prepare the seed beds. This is the big tree you can see in the background on the first photo. Fruit has good years and bad, sometimes without rhyme or reason though frost is a key player here. The tree is covered in blossom this year, snow in spring, my neighbour's daughter reckons Karen and I will be cherry millionaires.

To be continued...

Comments

  1. Looking forward to seeing your meadows in their final stages. Our cherry trees are also full of bloom but I have yet to see a single bee!:( Diane

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Diane

      I've seen bees stirring from winter slumber. I'm sure the blossom has been delayed folloeing the cold spell in Feb. Peach is breaking out as well, no frost and we'll have loads this summer

      Delete
  2. Love the cat-o-tiller! Your meadow will be great. Been hot there?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Freda kitty keeps digging bloody holes. He'll have to stop when I've seeded the area, quite how I'll stop him is another story.

      We've had warm days for a long time now. About 25C at times, chilly starts mind.

      Delete
  3. Hard work, and back-breaking. Hope the meadow turns out the way you anticipate.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is hard work alright but I didn't want to skimp on the preparation. Hope to so in a week or two.

      Delete
  4. Oh that sky looks so blue and the soil very dry! Trying to work out what 85 square metres is Rob as I still think in feet and inches - will have to ask himself but it sounds a rather large area. Beautiful blossoms - fingers crossed for no frosts at this crucial stage.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The ground is very dry. It is incredibly free draining. My major concern for the whole meadow is drought.

      Delete
  5. That is one big cherry tree! You will be a cherry millionaire. Those meadow plantings are hard work aren't they.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They are hard work. I hope they're worth it. It certainly won't be through lack of trying. The cherry tree is large and has been here for many years. I hope it has a good few years left in it, I know cherry aren't very long lived but fingers crossed.

      Delete
  6. I need a cat. They would probably keep the moles and gophers here from ruining my plantings.
    Betsy

    ReplyDelete
  7. All that preparation is going to be so worth the effort Rob!
    We've got a drought order on us here - I know, Derbyshire, county of rain, in a drought! :P
    The cherry tree is going to be fabulous - and who wouldn't mind being a cherry millionaire?!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Liz

      My only concern is how droughty the Summer may turn out following a second consecutive dry winter. We'll see. I dread two swathes of brown, dry, crispy, dead annuals leading down to the pergola - doesn't quite have that 'ring' to it.

      Delete
  8. bonjour,je suis une jardinière de lalinde en Dordogne, je vous invite dans mon paradis..........ingrid

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bonjour

      Je passe par Lalinde fréquemment. Savez-vous Lumen à Bergerac?

      Delete
  9. Replies
    1. Cheers

      You me the same. I just hope the 'meadow' gets underway before the slugs, deer, rabbits, my digging cat and drought has a go. Fingers crossed.

      Delete
  10. I have a cat that loves digging too. He has been digging up my grasses as quick as I can plant them. I hope you fare better than me.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hard back breaking work but it will be worth it!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Your cat is so cute. It looks like she is digging the soil by hand as you did :-)
    You have a nice blog I just discovered it. Sorry for my English, I am French (looking for great French Garden Ideas)

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment