|
|
GARDEN 19 |
The Vegetable Garden
Historically one of the few parts of the garden to survive in its original position, The "Veggy plot" is rapidly becoming one of the most important parts of the garden. Prior to 1984, the vegetable garden consisted of a flat piece of land roughly equivalent in size to a standard ten rod allotment. The soil was surprisingly poor given that this area had had probably more attention lavished on it than any other part of the garden. After almost an entire winter removing the underlying chalk with a sieve, pick-axe and shovel, the soil increased in depth to around 9".This was raised even further with the help of the soil that had been removed from the old rose beds nearby and the addition of several cubic metres of well rotted manure. The garden was then subdivided into eight sections by utilising some of the chalk spoil to make paths between the beds. Sadly, however, as soon as it rained, soil washed out from the raised beds and onto the paths.18" high hazel hurdles lined with black polythene were then used to retain the beds in an attempt to prevent any further spillage. The hurdles lasted for about five years before they started to rot and had to be replaced. After they had to be replaced for a second time, it was obvious something more permanent was needed.
To coincide with our 2001 snail ban trials, it was decided to replace the hazel hurdles surrounding the beds with railway sleepers.
(L) Setting out the line. (C) Tons of soil had to be moved. (R) Placing the sleepers was really hard work.
Contractors arrived and set to during some of the worst weather of the winter of 2000 . Even being one of the highest parts of the garden didn't prevent flooding causing serious problems. Bags of cement were drowned in the shed and the stack of sleepers floated away and had to be re-captured from all over the garden.
The new sleepers were finished with a decorative facing of hazel hurdles in the hope that by the time these new hurdles have rotted, the sleepers will have weathered and aged enough to look good enough on their own. They have already adopted that grey, "old oak" look where they have been most exposed to the elements although tar still leaches through in places. The chalk paths were edged with second-hand paving bricks and 500 lavender cuttings were planted around the beds to attract insects and help prevent pests and diseases. Now fully grown, bees and butterflies come for miles to feast on the flowers and the lavender is harvested annually to make pot pourri and essential oil.
(L) Early March 2001.The finished plot with the sleepers now covered by hazel hurdles. Early sowings of vegetables are in and the Snail Ban trial underway. (R) Now June 2003, the lavender edging is thriving. In the foreground is the gooseberry "Wineham's Industry", grown in a pot as a standard.