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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16 July 2022

HAYMAKING!

 
Well, haymaking PTC style.  Chris used a hedge cutter and I used a spring tine rake. As he cut each line, I raked the cut grass into swathes.  It worked absolutely perfectly!!  It's 'micro' haymaking and if actually baled would probably amount to only 2 bales max!!  However, we use our hay to like the chickens nest box and it's 'SO' much better than bought bedding - whatever that contains!  Yes - we ran out of hay 3 weeks ago and were forced to buy this commercial bedding - chopped somethingorother!!  It smells awful and we hate it! 

With the already declared national emergency due to predicted 90 degree temperatures next week, I think we've timed our haymaking perfectly!!  The Yellow Rattle planted a couple of years ago thrived and has now set seed.  Even before a G&T, I turned it and only WISH I could share the smell as its dries in the sun!  It's just DIVINE!!  Memories, memories!!  Nor sure what my Daddy would think of my haymaking methods but he'd probably laugh!!! Having said that; I did get 2nd prize at our local ploughing match a few years ago and that was competing against real experts!



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