The weather has been, to say the least, changeable. We had a series of hot sunny days for the last half of March and now it´s raining again.
While it was warm and dry, Manolo the tractor guy came by and did a final discing of the new areas. V and I rented a post hole digger and managed to get the posts up before the rain started again. Now we need to brace the corners and put on the metal mesh fencing. I still have to figure out gates. All that has to be in place before I can start creating raised beds because the dogs will destroy all the work in record time.
We also had a visit from the well-digger. As was to be expected, he immediately dismissed the exiting bore hole (with visible, standing water) as too small and essentially useless. He actually got out a water wand and walked around for a while. Now, knowing that basically anywhere you pick up a rock around here has a spring underneath, especially at this time of year, I think this was mostly theatre. And, for the princely sum of 1500 - 2000 €, they could dig us a new well, which would then need electrical service for the pump and a structure. Keep in mind our city water bill is about 25€ every three months. The numbers don´t really pencil out. So if anyone has suggestions as to what we can rig together to make the existing pipe work, while we wait to have roofs and storage tanks appear, let me know.
As far as flowers, the anemones are just beautiful and seem quite happy. I´m definitely planting more next year. On the other hand, the ranunculus started flowering with the heat wave after suffering from some freeze burn and botrytis. So they´re a little skimpy on foliage, quite short, and now unhappy to be in the pouring, cold rain. Next year low tunnels are going to be on the to-do list.
Hi, Coco!
ReplyDeleteMy, you've been busy - that's a lot of fence posts! That's such hard work, too. I think that it's easier to keep dogs out of the garden (we used to have five) than some of this wildlife. Do you have deer, squirrels, or rabbits? We won't even count groundhogs, they are such a big challenge. The deer require an 8 ft. fence, but the squirrels are like monkeys. Thankfully, my husband doesn't mind building gates. At one time we had eleven of them on our property.
I wish I had a suggestion for your well problem - I'll bet there is one. How neat that you had a dowser come out. I know one who really does "witch" water, but, sadly, he has retired,
Thanks for the flowers. I was thinking that I might try growing some ranunculas, but I see that my zone is probably too cold.
Pam
Nice to read your update, and just to say the weather here has been similar to yours, which is quite tiresome as you watch all the greenery growing upwards at a tremendous rate of knots.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a good growing season.
Hi Coco,
ReplyDeleteVariability of the weather seems to be the norm down here too. Next Wednesday the 17th is forecast as 29'C with an overnight low of 18'C and we're not far off from the start of winter. The winter seedlings are confused to say the least. I recently messed up the soil additives with the winter vegetables as the mushroom compost - which is usually good - appears to be inhibiting the plant growth.
Your garden bed is looking good, and the discing looks like it has produced really top quality friable soil. Was that Briga and Breogan inside the garden enclosure? :-) I have the same problem here whenever new garden beds are established but with all of the wildlife as well. Have you considered some solar powered electric fencing as a temporary measure? A 500m system here will set you back about $300 which can be reused in the future? It might help take the time pressure off and keep the dogs out (canines are fast learners, especially dog breeds as smart as yours).
Out of curiosity, how deep is the well? Down here it would cost about $1000/day to have a bloke with an excavator dig such a thing. And I'm unsure how much a drill rig would cost, but it would be probably about the same. And much depends upon how much rock they encounter. Rocks slow the job down.
Yesterday I saw an old well which looked hand dug and about 20m deep and was rock lined - and it had the merest splash of water at the bottom. It has been a hot and dry year down here. I reckon I've got about 35,000L of water left, but winter is fast approaching.
Chris
I´m sorry, but I´ve tried replying 2 times now and something eats the text.
ReplyDeleteCoco:
ReplyDeleteIt's probably what ate my snapdragons.
Pam