What a beautiful day! And what a beautiful garden! A third of an acre garden, which currently incorporates a good size compost area, polytunnel, raised beds, chicken run, family garden with flower beds. The owners plan to also have a wildflower meadow and orchard, and also to make more a small garden adjoining their holiday cottage, which is attached as an annexe to their house. There is a lot of work to do!
Today I've been digging holes to plant the fruit trees which are due for imminent delivery. My brief was to dig seven two foot "cubes", spaced at least two metres apart and to incorporate the two plum trees already in the garden. These holes were to be dug in the "meadow" area, so basically meant cutting out the turf.
Luckily, my client is incredibly knowledgeable - more so than I am at the moment - so I had very clear instructions on what to do. On the first hole I dug, I was a bit stumped and tentative as I didn't want to dig a huge hole, only for it to be in the wrong place. I spent a lot of time walking back and forth with my tape measure! But by the second hole, I had a definite rhythm going - cut and take off the turf for the two foot square hole, and then wheel that over to the chicken run for the chooks.
Then back to the hole to dig out the very heavy clay and wheel that down to the bottom of the garden to the "mound" which is made up of rubble from the building works that have been done on the house. Back to the hole for more digging out of clay and then back to the "mound". Once I was satisfied that I was two foot down, then up to the polytunnel to collect a good amount of chicken manure fertiliser and back to the hole to fork into the soil to ensure enough nutrients for when the trees are planted.
I didn't manage to get all seven holes dug - I managed five holes in three hours so was disappointed with my efforts, although think I might have been set a test by my clients to see how I do - this was, after all, my first working visit to the garden. (I've since had some feedback that they're very happy with me and have actually recommended me to friends, so I may have another client from this! In addition, I have been set another lot of tasks for my next visit, so I can't have done too badly!)
Obviously the holes can't be seen in this picture - but they are definitely there! - so I hope that no-one goes out walking in the dark and falls down them.
Very pleased with my efforts and I even came away with some eggs from the chooks, with a promise of a dozen eggs as part of my wages - bonus!
The chickens certainly seemed very happy with the new grass covering in their run!
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