Growing stones.

As I've already mentioned, this is year 3 of working plot D3.  Each year I've dug up and cleared an abundance of red/orange shale.  Last year I truly believed that from then onwards the stone clearing would become easier.  Today I was reminded to expect the unexpected.  I had decided to tackle the border at the top of the plot today.  Last year we worked about 3/4s of the border so I foolishly believed that I was in for an easy job.

The 3/4s that had been worked and weeded last year was pretty easy going and dare I say it, in some places the soil had improved loads.  An hour later and the rest of the lavender hedge had been planted.  I'd also mainly used the bucket reserved for compostable weeds.  The very top of the plot had been used as a nettle dump by the first years tenant and last spring we removed loads of spaghetti nettle roots and covered part of it with rubber mats that we found lying about.

I only had to put my fork in the ground once before I realised the compostable weed bucket was going to be defunct.  You'll have to take my word for it but before I started, 2 whole hours before this picture was taken, the soil was level with the cart road.

2 hours to dig over that tiny little bit of ground!  Not only had the previous tenant used it for dumping nettles but it looked like it had been used for dumping more of that nightmare shale stuff for years!!!  The soil level has dropped loads after taking the stones out and there are still loads more in the ground.  I also removed a wheelbarrow full of couch grass and the dreaded thistle roots and shoots and a few of the remaining well established dock roots.

I think the best plan of action for that small section is to plant phacelia while I decide what we're doing with it.  The soil level is going to have to be built back up by incorporating organic matter.  The thistles tell me glysophate is definitely going to feature.  The best laid plans etc.  And to think, my insane hubby want to keep all the stones and build boxed in crazy paving paths.  I think not!!!!

To finish the day on a more relaxing note, I followed Mr Lotties example and cut back my favourite plot holders chrysanthamums for him.  He's grown them for years and I often used to swap him a loaf of homemade bread for a lavish bunch of flowers and they'd last for way over a week. He wouldn't allow me to cut them back or dig them up last autumn so with a little free time on my hands I decided that there wasn't a lot he could say or do if I just cut them back.

Some have survived brilliantly, some not so much so and some I think the frost may have got to but still cut back 'just in case'.  I took a couple of pictures and popped in to show him on the way home.  I can tell how much he's missing being able to go down and look after his plot.  I guess I've learned today that every little helps and that the little things really can make a difference.

I almost forgot again, yesterday was the spring equinox.  Every day, for the next six months is longer than the night.  Perfect growing light.
 

Until then, happy sowing.

Lottie Lover