The Sanctuary Garden

The layout has gone through several design iterations. My constraints that have been through various changes are: 3 ft wide path down the center, allowing easy access for wheelbarrows and wheelchairs. 2ft reach, so a 2ft bed if accessed from one side, and 4ft beds if accessible from both sides. Any side paths to be 2 ft wide’ just enough to get a barrow through.

The idea of island beds appealed, but I was shocked how much was pathway. By cheating a little, I made the edge beds 3′ not 2′ and had a long 4′ wide bed. This would be a pain, walking around the bed and I would make paths through the bed, eventually. This does use the least amount of wood. The key hole bed uses the most amount of wood but, it offers the most bed space that is easy to access.

While I was away for the weekend, the little buggers have enjoyed a diet of broad bean seeds with seedling lettuce on the side. Crunchy peanut butter will be their last supper…. One of the courgette stems has split, and I’m blaming them too.

I’ve replanted a tomato and in the process planted it a little deeper and removed some side shoots, that are now under a dome and dusted with rooting hormone. I hope they root.

The plants outside are doing okay under fleece, we have a little wind and rain, the latter is welcome although throws a spanner in the works with regards to finishing the poly-tunnel

The poly-tunnel has taken a few weeks to get to it’s current stage. The structure is not ready; the two ends need to be trimmed, the doors added, strengthened and ready to accept the poly-tunnel cover.

Conventional steel poly-tunnels have a tape that insulates the frame from the plastic cover helping longevity. We are using carpet, it’s new and donated by Bryan Goodfellow, our first member and my friend.

Below are a few images of progress