Morning Light: The Fetchland Gardening Wire

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Garfield Feb 2020 8:44pm, 18 Feb 2020 11,951 posts	0 Garfield Thanks for the comment Hanneke. I've had one of the really really cheap plasticky ones in the past and sunlight degraded it severely in less than a year....which is why the idea of a polytunnel doesn't appeal, for the same reason. I'll just save up my company share dividends and yoga teaching money. I don't need anything HUGE, as our garden isn't huge.
Hanneke Feb 2020 1:04am, 19 Feb 2020 70,501 posts	0 Hanneke In that case Garfield, I would definitely save up for something good, if you only need something small. I hated the idea of a poly-tunnel: all that plastic! And although it is UV stable apparently, you can see what happens to them. They get less see through, yellow, mouldy, algae grow on them and then they deteriorate and the wind rips them apart. Also a solid one is as expensive as a metal and glass greenhouse I found! I think recommendation is to replace the skin of a poly tunnel every 5 years...
Dvorak Mar 2020 12:13pm, 1 Mar 2020 19,113 posts	0 Dvorak This should have been posted last month, less remarkable in March First leaves have unfurled on some sheltered raspberry canes, and first blossoms on the big camelia. A couple of mini-daffs have opened, and there's a rush of tiny crocuses. There were bigger earlier crocuses, thoroughly weather-beaten though. Kiwi vine in the greenhouse showing signs of life.
Garfield Mar 2020 1:14pm, 1 Mar 2020 12,037 posts	0 Garfield Our camellia is laden with bright pink flowers...hubby hates the idea of pink flowers but I refuse to let him chop it down! It's the only attractive thing in our front garden!
Flatlander Mar 2020 2:20pm, 1 Mar 2020 1,577 posts	0 Flatlander My village's Community Orchard had a maintenance session yesterday, and as usual I went along to help. We were pruning the young apple trees and were given a bit of information about what we should be trying to do. It's nice to know that what I've been doing with my apple tree at home isn't too far off what I should be doing! I don't think we amateurs harmed any Orchard trees yesterday
jacdaw Mar 2020 2:45pm, 4 Mar 2020 2,824 posts	0 jacdaw Can anybody suggest a quick and simple way to build some sort of compost container or frame, that is quick and easy to construct, preferably moveable, and long lasting or low impact? Not sure that I have access to old pallets or similar.
Flatlander Mar 2020 3:04pm, 4 Mar 2020 1,578 posts	0 Flatlander Check with your local council. Some councils provide composting bins free of charge or at reduced rates (on the basis that they don't have to take away your composting material). E.g. gloucestershire.gov.uk I've had mine for 15-20 years and they are still in very good condition and look set to last another 20 years! If you don't want to use plastic bins (even though they should last decades, and compost material very well), then wood is commonly used, but that rots and decays in a couple of years, unless treated (which will introduce noxious chemicals into your garden). Another alternative is to use old large tyres - build your "bin" to the height you want, take off the top tyre(s) to get to the compost, and they are easy to move around.
Wriggling Snake Mar 2020 3:10pm, 4 Mar 2020 25,735 posts	0 Wriggling Snake my first Broad Bean has broken the surface!
Hanneke Mar 2020 9:47pm, 4 Mar 2020 70,512 posts	0 Hanneke I second the council for bins. Herefordshire will let you have two and you only pay £13 delivery. If you want more, they are subsidised.
jacdaw Mar 2020 10:07pm, 4 Mar 2020 2,829 posts	0 jacdaw They are £20 each with Northumberland CC's special deal, but buy one get one half price, and fixed £5.99 delivery.