The green and rolling countryside of Worcestershire, England, is home to the cider apple orchards which surround the gardens of Pear Tree Cottage. They enjoy a sunny south westerly aspect with sweeping views across to Martley Hillside, Woodbury and Abberley clock tower. The Teme Valley lies just over the hill and, not far away, is the Herefordshire border. Although our climate is temperate, our seasons are often uncertain and always a challenge to a gardener! This began in 2010 & follows the weekly ups and downs of garden work chronicling both successes and failures but, above all, demonstrates the fun enjoyed by three people who regularly garden in all weathers

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10 February 2010

BIG Decisions at Pirus Tabernus!

A huge decision at Pirus Tabernus!  The unanimously agreed resolution:  to empty the entire raised vegetable bed (aaarrgh!), put in effective drainage and refill with quality top soil.  A pretty massive undertaking.  Equipment in the form of a micro digger, a power barrow and a dumper truck has been hired from the very nice man at Ermine Plant Hire. Deliveries of top soil from Stownhall are booked for 22nd.  Chris has enlisted the help of Ian.  Rob has come to our rescue (again) and can find a use for the unwanted top soil.  Two wet summers and insufficient drainage combined with poor and very heavy top soil has meant rotting potatoes and a loss of more then half the yield for 2 consecutive years.  There few worse smells that rotting potatoes and fewer more disheartening sights!  Time for action!  Work is planned to commence on Saturday  and has to be completed   pronto as we're sneaking off to Barbados.  I have a feeling we're going to need a break!!

After a decision like that, distraction was much needed!  Too early for a gin so a trip to the garden centre was called for.  Vegetable seeds, onion sets, raspberry canes, potting medium - and some rather fetching little Sempervivums to cheer up the back door!

............and to think that Greg thought I'd forgotten what day it is!  Herzlichen glückwunsch zum geburtstag Gregorivich and  gauisus natalis Gregorius!

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