The Sanctuary Garden

For Scotland, it’s warming up. An early start planting out the new bed meant it was not too unpleasant. So I grew up in Zimbabwe, I should be used to the heat; that’s sounds plausible but I’ve been in the UK longer than I’ve been in Africa so I’ve acclimatised, besides my head meds also give me the sweats.

In the bed is some tobacco, Virginia and some Cuban cigar wrappers, lucky dip cauliflowers, chinese cabbage, and some drumhead cabbage. I was barely out with the seedlings and the cabbage whites were fluttering around. The hope is that by using upturned plastic pots to keep the fleece off the seedlings, the fleece will keep pests away and give them an advantageous micro-climate. The buckets of potatoes, onion and garlic have also been moved outside, which means I have space for another poly tunnel bed. More bricks…..

Using pallet wood, rather than buy a cage, I built a frame for the water butt. Without the frame, the water butt turned into football and because the base was not level, rolled off and emptied itself. My first job was to level the base. The pallets were placed onto to blocks and level.

The frames were held together with corner brackets and screws, used an angle grinder to smooth off the protruding screws. Vertical timbers kept the hoops in position and it was filled to about half. The tap ordered on ebay, arrived and was fitted on the IBC tank. I’ll let the chlorine dissipate overnight. It will make watering the poly tunnel so much easier.

My muscles ache today, but in a nice way. The plants are out growing their pots and it looks like I’ve hundreds to pot up. It’s cathartic and repetitive. It also feels like I’ve given the plants a new home, a bigger home. There is a local nursery that has a couple of crates filled with used plastic pots, free to take or add to. They are worth a mention as their plants are fab, this year I’ve added to my mint collection with ginger, orange, strawberry and banana. Their details are: The plant market buy local from locals.

Lynda, our neighbour, brought her brother Garry and his wife, Emma to see the poly tunnel, their reactions were very positive. Thank you for the donation, I hope you like the chilies.

Ray, who donated tomatoes, has been back in touch and has spinach and radishes as well as some long bamboo canes.

I’ve also been offered a poly tunnel cover, no idea what state or the size but I’ll pick it up this afternoon. In my journey to buy the battery I saw a poly tunnel frame, with no cover, in an overgrown garden. I’m going to ask if I can have it.

The new bed needs chicken wire around it; some in ‘stock’ from an old chicken run, probably a decade old. When that is up, I’ll plant swedes, cabbages and onions, if there is space. The weather has turned, as it always does in Scotland, the wind is freezing again but apparently will warm up later this week to a scorching 20C…

With so many young seedlings, I’ve made another raised bed, 4′ x 16′ to accept the plants. I’ll need to cover it with some protection as we have deer, pigeons and probably the odd bunny. It took two loads of bricks to make the walls and about 20 wheel barrow loads of compost to fill, so I’ve done my workout for the day.

The average temperatures are going up and the plants are responding to both the organic nettle feed and the heat. Using brown sugar and comfrey, I’ll have a feed ideal for tomatoes when they start to fruit. A few are showing flowers.

While dropping of some bags of waste from my workshop tidyup at the tip today, I managed to pull out a hosepipe. It’s a cheapie one and kinks all the time. It may be returned if it is unusable. Connecting it to a fountain pump, it works well as a hose to water the garden. The connection is not great, duck tape is not really the answer. I’ll use a jubilee clip onto the hose.

To be fair with the turnout, I’d not really pushed it. It was a trial and I was pleased with the outcome. The seedlings are too small. What I also learned is some of the more unusual plants like chinese cabbage and oriental greens almost need to be ready to pick to taste.

Another gem was mint; it’s great in gins and other refreshing drinks. I’ve about a dozen varieties that I could sell in a large pot and Sara can make fancy labels. It was interesting to see the delightful reactions of crushing a leaf and enjoying the aroma.

There was some quiet time, so I was able fill beds with mushroom compost and finish planting the onions; red, white and yellow.

This is a multifunctional tool; a trowel and a knife. The blade is slightly cupped to give it strength. Reading reviews, it appears to be most gardener’s best tool. I’ve been lusting after them and then it struck me, I could make one.

Using a spade I’d pulled out of skip with a broken handle, I cut out the center section, shaped it, gave it an edge and glued it into a handle made from seasoned apple wood. I still need to add some rivets through the wood into the tang and I’ve been shaping it with my opinel, making it smooth and round.

It feels good in my hand and it’s not going to bend if it’s used like a trowel. I do need a scabbard and it’s a big knife with sharp edges, so would probably sever something important, if I sat down with it in my pocket.

The third load of organic mushroom compost was delivered today. The van went down the track and because it’s been so wet, could not get out. After lots of manual pushing, cursing and shoving, we agreed to pull it out with the Kia. In hindsight, it should have been plan A.

The garden is really a field, near the house. Here are a few things to be aware of.

• This is a Sanctuary, so please treat it as such, it’s not a commercial outlet. It’s a place to hang out and enjoy the moment. Bring your kind self. To put things in perspective; this has been going a month, and there is only one of me.
• Covid-19 precautions; Try to keep two meters apart. The media has been flooded with practical advice; just use it.
• There is limited parking, it would be great if you can walk or cycle. The road has lots of potholes and not ideal for lowered cars with spoilers and scoops.
• There is no toilet (yet). For those who don’t mind, the “P” bucket is available. The contents go onto the manure pile. There is a secluded area at the side of the shed with a fabulous view. If all else fails, Asda have a loo, as does Queen Margaret Hospital.
• Vegetable seedlings will be available for sale but don’t expect ‘Garden center’ uniformity, branding or quantities.
  • I’ll not have much change for notes and can’t take a credit card.
  • Bring carrier bags if you’re planning on buying.
• It’s a little rough around the edges, I know it could be less rustic but it’s not in my nature.
• It’s been wet for ages so the ground is muddy and can be slippery.
  • wellies, muckers or trekkers are ideal.
  • Wear high heels at your own risk and that applies to the ladies too.
  • There is the odd divot and lump so please take care walking around
• Kids and dogs are welcome, just keep them under control, on a leash where appropriate and bag and bin any poop.
  • If you bring a bucket, I’ll show the kids how plant a seed potato in compost and you to take home. Big kids are welcome to bring a bucket too.
• Make-your-own tea and coffee, will be provided with a washing up bowl and paper towels. I’m hoping to make some biscuits too. For those concerned about Covid-19, boiling water has been used for millennia to kill viruses, bacteria and pathogens, there will be wet wipes too.

If you have a concern about coming, there will be more open days and by then things will be a little more organised. Perhaps there may even be a loo in place.