A
hidden gem underneath an old concrete path.
I don’t really like weeding. Most of you probably already
know this as I say it often enough. I can usually find better things to do with
my time than kneeling down on the paths pulling the unwanted plants up and
leaving the tap roots in so they can come back to haunt me. It’s not just the
time it takes getting rid of the weeds, it’s the fact that I can see them
growing bigger and stronger everyday and not having the time to get out into
the garden to tackle them. That’s what gets me more than anything and it
probably is a reminder for me to lay out a decent time management plan so they don’t
get on top of me.
Positive Action
I decided to take positive action this week, and this time
it’s not to convince myself that I love weeds, I wouldn’t go that far. For some
time now I have been going outside and spraying vinegar onto the path edges to
keep down the dandelions and couch grass. The solution doesn’t seem to be
strong enough (I think it’s 3% in a normal bottle of the type you put on your
chips) so it’s pretty useless really and the stuff in the pickled onion jars is
even lass effective. I don’t want to resort to weed killer so I decided to get
out the bags of gravel, sand and cement. If you can’t beat them, cover them in
concrete.
Concrete paths
The concrete path runs the length of the garden up to the
tunnel and is used a lot to get to the washing line, so keeping it clear is
important. The previous owners edged the path with concrete breeze blocks and
then to stop these disintegrating, smothered them with more concrete. This mix
has become loose over the years, cracked then allowed the weeds to take hold.
Add to this the movement of the garden and long gaps have appeared the full length
of the pathway which has filled up with soil making these an ideal nursery for
weed seeds.
It took me two days but I managed to remove all of the
concrete that was moulded onto the path edges, leaving what I think are
attractive blocks covered in moss, then I have dug out the fine soil from the
path edges and backfilled with a dry mix of concrete, pushing it well down so
the frost won’t break it up too much. The
resulting path looks refreshed and the time I spend not having to weed can be
used for something more productive like planting seedlings and sunbathing. I
will also be able to appreciate the garden more as my eyes won’t be drawn to
the weeds every time I look out of the kitchen window.
Hidden Treasure
Whilst doing the remedial work on the path I unearthed a bit
of a treasure where the washing line is. The previous owner’s exploits with a
big wheelbarrow load of cement stretched to covering up beautiful granite set
path running for about fifteen metres. I heard from the neighbour that the sets
were covered over to make a smoother surface to walk on as the lady of the house
got older. It’ll look like road on Coronation Street when it’s cleared up. I’m
always amazed that Weatherfield Council haven’t dug up the road and asphalted
over it for health and safety reasons. I’ve never seen any road works on the
street either come to think of it.
Expansion
It was bound to happen. I have run out of space in the
veggie patch. Inevitable really as I planted far too many seeds for one
garden. I am moving my empire forward
into the lawn area by cutting away strips along the wall to make two foot wide
beds. I’ve already put up two more of my delightful bean structures (you can
never have too many of them) into the space and have left enough to plant more
courgettes and anything else the dogs wont trample. The soil has been enhanced
by adding the contents of the two compost bins that have rotted down nicely
into what resembles soil. That is apart from one or two things that don’t want
to rot down, namely old sweetcorn cobs, egg shells and avocado pips, the latter
when planted up again should grow. I’m putting one in a pot now one now!
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