It's been a while since I posted; between the weather and a nasty bug, I barely saw the plot in the last few weeks of last year, let alone did any work. But when I've had the chance, as you can see, I've been working on my raised beds. They're made of old scaffolding planks, which I get free, treated with creosote substitute. They're the full length of a plank, whatever that is, by three and a half feet wide. That way I can reach the middle; if you've got long arms, you might manage four feet without stretching.
Filling them is several days' work, as I don't want to do my back in again. I've used autumn leaves, decayed leafmould, and topsoil. The snowy one in the background is topped off with grass cuttings - actually it's about fifty percent moss, and will probably grow - with garlic and saffron planted. This one's going to be planted with various alliums. They can be lifted around midsummer, giving me a chance to do whatever topping up turns out to be necessary.
If I can manage one more this winter I'll be satisfied; two and I'll be happy. It's not my favourite job, but I should be able to do a fair few over a couple of years.
