I'd like two or three different types of fruit trees, say an orange a fig and a lemon, to go with my apple. A polytunnel would be fun, but possibly overkill. A bigger greenhouse is a definite possible, and I still plan for a few chickens.
Joined: 29 Dec 2004 Posts: 392 Location: North Gloucestershire
Posted: Thu Feb 03, 05 9:15 pm Post subject:
try northern polytunnels, a 10x20 ft is about �250 all in. Got one on order . Website is www.northernpolytunnels.co.uk. I have a horrible feeling I'll be getting another next year.
Re chickens, sheds are 1/3rd the price of anything labelled chicken house and dead easy to adapt.
OK here goes, like I said I'd recommend a fig, also you should have at least one plum, Victoria is self fertile but I'd go for two different ones that are compatible have a look at Keepers selection:
Thanks, Tahir. Soil is neutral. I like what you say and am printing it off as I type. I'll get planting next week but busy now coz my new range turned up and I want to try Sean's recipe for onion soup to deflower my virgin range!...I'll take some pix and do an article.
wellington womble
Joined: 08 Nov 2004 Posts: 15051 Location: East Midlands
Posted: Sat Feb 05, 05 1:20 pm Post subject:
Tahir, Mr Womble is very cross with you for putting up those links. I have been looking for gooseberry 'early sulphur' for ages.
Wonder where I'm going to put it. Do we really need the lawn, do you think? or does soft fruit crop well in big pots........ most things do better in pots in my garden (when the watering system works) I think it might be that I can manage better on pot scale!
WW, it would be an ethical decision to get rid of the lawn and replace it with fruit trees. Much more sustainable. And probably less trouble.
wellington womble
Joined: 08 Nov 2004 Posts: 15051 Location: East Midlands
Posted: Sat Feb 05, 05 5:27 pm Post subject:
Oh, well in that case....
I wonder how dog proof they are? I was thinking of a sort of mini meadow/orchard. A few fruit trees (probably about 3!) some wild flowers in the turf, and a perfect excuse not to mow! The lawn is an oval, about 2 x 3 m, and hasn't be fed (except by the dogs if you see what I mean!) for several years.
I can always fence the dogs out while they get established, If I use chicken wire or something, the grasses would cover it, wouldn't they.
Oh, now look what you've gone and done - another new project! I'd vowed not have any this year!
Tristan
Joined: 29 Dec 2004 Posts: 392 Location: North Gloucestershire
Posted: Sat Feb 05, 05 11:31 pm Post subject:
Beware of gooseberry Early Sulphur, the reason it is hard to find is that it is a devil for mildew. If you've got a really open site with free draining soil, gooseberries will thrive there.
Lawns are the most useless things in the world unless you've got any mad keen footballers in the family. Dig it up.
wellington womble
Joined: 08 Nov 2004 Posts: 15051 Location: East Midlands
Posted: Sun Feb 06, 05 1:44 pm Post subject:
Fraid it's going to have to be a pot then (with good drainage, and plenty of air on the patio!) Unfortunately himself is refusing to let me have the meadow (Although the mention of the trees has got him to ask mr Grumps next door if we can rent his garden again!)
He says it will just look like we haven't mowed the lawn (I did tell him that's the whole point!) As I didn't want a lawn in the first place, and said that if he was going to have one, I was having nothing to do with it, so I can't push it too far! If we get next door I am allowed to have fruit trees and chickens (Still no meadow though!)
I'd like two or three different types of fruit trees, say an orange a fig and a lemon, to go with my apple. A polytunnel would be fun, but possibly overkill. A bigger greenhouse is a definite possible, and I still plan for a few chickens.
. Website is 
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