Not long now....

The field looks great,It has been ploughed and the farmer has broken up the worst lumps.
We will need to use a tiller on each plot and remove any grass clods.
Today me and the family and Sarah started to strim the orchard .Well the children played in the field and Clare(wife) met a friend and talked.But Sarah and me did loads of strimming and the orchard is starting to look good.
I hope you are all looking forwards to the next few weeks of hard work.
I can't wait to start.

Cutting

We will start cutting this week.
Some of us are going to start Sat 11th July from 9.30am. Sarah will be starting on the orchard grass with me mon/tue next week so if you have some free time call ED.

Eggs

Today i have started to put together our laying flock.

I have got the first five hybrid chicks at a week old and they will be point of lay in October.

They should produce 300+ eggs a year each.

Rotovator hire

Hi all
Myself and Dave will have a rotovator for hire when we start our plots.
It will be available for a minimal charge to cover running costs.(cheapest hire from shop is £54. per day + £100 dep)

If you want to use it please email me.

ED

Orchard

Have had excellent feedback from everyone I contacted and now have detailed information of restoration of the orchard which has been neglected for many years. Obviously it is not a commercial orchard so we will be looking to run it along the lines of traditional orchards with minimal interference.

I am intending to undertake a condition survey of the trees as soon as time allows, plotting location, tree details including dimensions, health and then with input from others devise a management plan. As with gardening it will take time but should be very rewarding increasing fruit production and enhancing wildlife habitat especially amongst the orchard mosaic.

Whilst I can identify the species of the individual trees there are a staggering number of varieties of fruit trees (6000 for Apple alone) and it may be we will need to use one of a few specialists to undertake this for us. The variety will dictate the best management practice.

Polytunnel

Ebay polytunnel 2 m x 2 m x 3.5 m £62.49 + del.

Vegetable plant supplies

For those of you who, like me, do not have a large supply of vegetable seedlings - because there was no way that I thought we would have the stunning breakthrough Ed achieved - I have found what seems to be an excellent site that could supply all your needs for the types of plants that would be going in to the ground in the August to November period.

Have a look at www.vegetableplantsdirect.co.uk - I have had a chat with them and there is no issue with availability of supply - i.e. they will have plenty !.

I did check the larger operators (Suttons/Dobies, Marshalls, Thompson-Morgan, etc) and as vegetable plants to them are a sideline - they are either out of stock or have minimal amounts left.

The above supplier only supplies vegetable plants, the issues will be; how much of your plot will be ready; by when; and then how much of your plot do you want to use for over-wintering crops.

Note - when you order you can indicate when you would like to receive the order - which makes planning easier.

Me ? - I will be ordering a goodly supply of Kale, Sprouting Broccoli and some cabbage. The rest of the plot will be covered in a variety of green manure.

Hope the above helps.

Mark

Chicks

Two of the six eggs hatched. Mother hen is very protective and clucks when you go near.
I am thinking of getting a incubator and have seen Turkey eggs on the net.
The Turkeys are Norfolk blacks and will make good eating birds for next christmas(2010).

I think we could rescue 20 ex battery hens to start.

They will give us eggs but not as many as a young bird.