Thursday, June 6, 2013

Unearthing Hidden Treasures- well a path anyway






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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