CARPENTRY in the GARDEN

Despite the typical cold weather over Easter, potatoes and onion sets were planted and peas sown.  Some brassicas have also been planted out as was a row of lettuces under cloches.

The finished gate

This has left time for more carpentry instruction at The Genever Academy of Master Carpentry and the results have been a nearly finished garden seat and a pretty side gate.  Having drawn my design, Chris cut the angled tops on the palings first and then they were closed up together and the curves cut with a hole saw before alternating the different heights.  An extra 15 minutes work really has made the difference between a very ordinary gate and something quite pretty.  Chris even hand cut a finial on the slamming post in just a few minutes.  We found an old Suffolk latch and with such expert hanging, it closes perfectly!  As the designer/apprentice; as well as holding and passing, I was allowed to insert and tighten screws and stain the finished product with a preservative! Why is practical creativity so enjoyable?

The detail on the tops

Mobile Tree Surgery

Tree surgery with a difference AND right outside our gate!  Luckily Chris Genever is also pretty handy with a chainsaw and an hour or so later, we had a drive full of oak lengths ready for logging when Chris Pugh comes next!

Welding Wheels Within Wheels

Salvage Art

Chris (looking after his ears!)

One filthy snowy/sleety/rainy/freeeeezing cold day earlier this week, we turned the cart shed into a welding shop with the help of Chris's trestles and builders'planks!  

Very tricky photographing a subject I can't look at!

We (yes - I did some too!) welded some lovely old cast iron wheels and some rusty old horse shoes together to make a pair of matching panels to go either side of the Herb Garden gate.

The finished panels

Although I say so myself; I think the finished results are not half bad and quite in keeping with our rustic preferences!  A creation made with materials some might even have scrapped!!

Garden Personnel Move

Easter Island Man

Martley Hillside

Easter Island Man got a new home last week and has moved from the tool shed down to a new slate platform made from DIY salvaged Welsh slate!  Chris did all the clever stuff including making the arch around the corner over the cave entrance and hiding the nasty concrete lintel with a scalloped lead canopy.  I was entrusted with rubbing down all the mortar the following day.  I'm getting quite good at it now.  Easter Island Man gazes out towards the sunsets over Martley Hillside whilst guarding the cave entrance.

A New Soakaway

This week saw the new 'linear' soakaway dug.  It means that rain water from the garage roof no longer flows into the septic tank.  Following detailed instructions, a trench 2 spits deep was dug (avoiding cables) and perforated land drain laid.  Rubble was laid down the sides with gravel on top followed by a sheet of plastic (to ensure soil doesn't block all the perforations).  After topping up with soil, Chris re-laid the turf.  Result: near perfection.  Not exactly creative gardening but, nevertheless a necessity. Now, all we need is rain - as we have done so for months and months!

Spot the soakaway!

Weekend Post Script

Ranunculus Ficaria 'Brazen Hussy'

And - lastly: isn't this a great name for such a little show stopping Celandine?

End of a busy week

It was the first day of spring and the end of another hectic week at PTC so - time to hoist the flag and enjoy a sundowner in March!  For some; it was time to wring out their wet socks after all that power washing!

For more photos; 

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