This was the first week end that the weather and my availability have
combined to allow me make a real impression in the veg plot.
So, I tackled what I had wanted to do for ages: the 2 year old (close
enough) compost heap. It is contained in one of those goddawful black
plastic square boxes, and I knew it was less than optimum. I did what
seemed logical. I dismantled the box from around it, took out the
bottom part which was nice, dry and crumbly, and dug it into the as yet
unplanted veg patch, then moved the box to a new place and replaced the
rest of the soggy mess, thinly layered with shredded paper and chipped
branches trimmed from trees, twigs and other chopped up ligneous
vegetation gathered in the last 12 months. I hope this will sort the
heap out in coming months.
As to the useable stuff, three big wheel barrow fulls of it, I dug it
into a big portion of the veg patch. A couple of hours later, I sowed
direct into the ground peas, broad beans, beans and various lettuces.
I probably should have let the ground settle for a while, but with
work, long commute and various commitments, I may not be able to do
anythign in the garden for another two weeks - so I really did all I
could while I could.

I've had the most fantastic week end of gardening. I feel chuffed and
self-satisfied, in the way only newbie, time challenged, easily
satisfied amateurs can...
But that was *before* I got to check out Potty's marvelous blog. Gasp.
I'm really not at the races...

Cat(h) (stiff and blister-handed)

Cat(h) wrote:
This was the first week end that the weather and my availability have
combined to allow me make a real impression in the veg plot.
So, I tackled what I had wanted to do for ages: the 2 year old (close
enough) compost heap. It is contained in one of those goddawful black
plastic square boxes, and I knew it was less than optimum. I did what
seemed logical. I dismantled the box from around it, took out the
bottom part which was nice, dry and crumbly, and dug it into the as yet
unplanted veg patch, then moved the box to a new place and replaced the
rest of the soggy mess, thinly layered with shredded paper and chipped
branches trimmed from trees, twigs and other chopped up ligneous
vegetation gathered in the last 12 months. I hope this will sort the
heap out in coming months.
As to the useable stuff, three big wheel barrow fulls of it, I dug it
into a big portion of the veg patch. A couple of hours later, I sowed
direct into the ground peas, broad beans, beans and various lettuces.
I probably should have let the ground settle for a while, but with
work, long commute and various commitments, I may not be able to do
anythign in the garden for another two weeks - so I really did all I
could while I could.

For quick access to large volumes of organic matter; I once ordered a
ton (or cubic yard or whopping big bag on back of truck) of spent
mushroom compost, when I lived in England. There must be vast
quantities of this being used in Ireland. I do not supppose you know
how to get any? It is great as a mulch or to dig into either heavy or
sandy soil.
I tried googling all the usual places with no success? You being
knowledgeable about all things farm related etc.
Ta very mulch
Des



I've had the most fantastic week end of gardening. I feel chuffed and
self-satisfied, in the way only newbie, time challenged, easily
satisfied amateurs can...
But that was *before* I got to check out Potty's marvelous blog. Gasp.
I'm really not at the races...

Cat(h) (stiff and blister-handed)

wrote:
For quick access to large volumes of organic matter; I once ordered a
ton (or cubic yard or whopping big bag on back of truck) of spent
mushroom compost, when I lived in England. There must be vast
quantities of this being used in Ireland. I do not supppose you know
how to get any? It is great as a mulch or to dig into either heavy or
sandy soil.
I tried googling all the usual places with no success? You being
knowledgeable about all things farm related etc.

The mushroom growing industry has taken a bit of a hiding in Ireland
over the last few years - so I suspect there's probably less now than
there was once. But I'll consult my "sources" about possible suppliers
near you and email you.

One thing I can suggest, if you have access to a trailer, is genuine
Bullshit (TM) of absolute premium quality, about 200 m from my home. I
dug a huge trailerload of it graciously delivered to my home two years
ago, when I was setting out the garden. It has transformed my veg
patch. The source is one of the country's pedigree bull evaluation
stations. The stuff is Simenthal, Charolais, Limousin and assorted
Angus bull dung mixed with peat - on which the animals stand while
they're stationned there. Pure black gold. The manager of the stud
farm is always very anxious to get rid of it, and local garden centres
take up a lot of it. If you're interested, I'll email you details.


Ta very mulch

Ya're welcome.

Cat(h)

"Cat(h)" wrote in message
oups.com...

wrote:
For quick access to large volumes of organic matter; I once ordered a
ton (or cubic yard or whopping big bag on back of truck) of spent
mushroom compost, when I lived in England. There must be vast
quantities of this being used in Ireland. I do not supppose you know
how to get any? It is great as a mulch or to dig into either heavy or
sandy soil.
I tried googling all the usual places with no success? You being
knowledgeable about all things farm related etc.

The mushroom growing industry has taken a bit of a hiding in Ireland
over the last few years - so I suspect there's probably less now than
there was once. But I'll consult my "sources" about possible suppliers
near you and email you.

One thing I can suggest, if you have access to a trailer, is genuine
Bullshit (TM) of absolute premium quality, about 200 m from my home. I
dug a huge trailerload of it graciously delivered to my home two years
ago, when I was setting out the garden. It has transformed my veg
patch. The source is one of the country's pedigree bull evaluation
stations. The stuff is Simenthal, Charolais, Limousin and assorted
Angus bull dung mixed with peat - on which the animals stand while
they're stationned there. Pure black gold. The manager of the stud
farm is always very anxious to get rid of it, and local garden centres
take up a lot of it. If you're interested, I'll email you details.


Ta very mulch

Ya're welcome.

Cat(h)


If you have info would you please post it here as well as sending private
emails.
Many other people may be interested

Janet Baraclough wrote:
The message . com
from "Cat(h)" contains these words:


I've had the most fantastic week end of gardening. I feel chuffed and
self-satisfied, in the way only newbie, time challenged, easily
satisfied amateurs can...

However long you garden, that delight will never wear off. Great
isn't it.

It's fantastic. And I just *love* digging over the soil - there is
something deeply therapeutic about it. I deal with all work related
stresses, frustrations and the people who bug me by pretending they are
those clods of clay I bang on with the back of my fork to crumble them.
Then, there's the pleasure of watching things grow... and the stresses
and buggers then become the weeds to be eliminated...
Then, there's the pride of the harvest, and the serving of it at dinner
parties, together with much pretend humility at just how delicious it
all is, and just how directly responsible I am for it all :-)


Cat(h) (stiff and blister-handed)

I've posted this before, but since you're new; take special care of
your gardening back, joints and hands. There is nothing more frustrating
than a glorious garden day and being too sore/damaged to do anything.


Very fair point. I am lucky to be quite fit, so apart from the
blistered hands, all stiffness has gone. However , you are right - no
complacency when it comes to the back!

Cat(h)

Cat(h) wrote:
wrote:
For quick access to large volumes of organic matter; I once ordered a
ton (or cubic yard or whopping big bag on back of truck) of spent
mushroom compost, when I lived in England. There must be vast
quantities of this being used in Ireland. I do not supppose you know
how to get any? It is great as a mulch or to dig into either heavy or
sandy soil.
I tried googling all the usual places with no success? You being
knowledgeable about all things farm related etc.

The mushroom growing industry has taken a bit of a hiding in Ireland
over the last few years - so I suspect there's probably less now than
there was once. But I'll consult my "sources" about possible suppliers
near you and email you.

One thing I can suggest, if you have access to a trailer, is genuine
Bullshit (TM) of absolute premium quality, about 200 m from my home. I
dug a huge trailerload of it graciously delivered to my home two years
ago, when I was setting out the garden. It has transformed my veg
patch. The source is one of the country's pedigree bull evaluation
stations. The stuff is Simenthal, Charolais, Limousin and assorted
Angus bull dung mixed with peat - on which the animals stand while
they're stationned there. Pure black gold. The manager of the stud
farm is always very anxious to get rid of it, and local garden centres
take up a lot of it. If you're interested, I'll email you details.

I have no trailer or towbar. I need the stuff delivered.
In England the market was big enough that near where I lived there was
a comnpany that sepcialised in delivereing huge quantities of mulch
(Madingley Mulches).
In Ireland, I cannot find anone similar.
That manure source you have sounds like the business but even a
bootload is small compared to what I need.





Ta very mulch

Ya're welcome.

Cat(h)