We are just one year on this 3 acre plot. The soft fruit crop was reasonable, especially the strawberries. However, it will be next year before we get more than a few raspberries when the new canes grow up from under ground from now until next spring.
To minimise the competition from weeds, we have mulched the raspberry beds with well rotted horse manure. Left like this, the vigorous weeds we have will probably become even stronger as a result of the manure. So the manure needs to be covered by a thick layer of straw to stop light from reaching the manure.
Fortunately, we are able to avail of a supply of old straw from a thatcher who firstly removes old weathered straw from any roof he is asked to thatch anew. This old straw is ideal for mulching purposes.
The new raspberry canes are popping up through the straw mulch. Once the straw is left on the surface and not dug in, it will not rob the soil of nitrogen.
Posted by Mary buckley on November 25, 2014 at 2:11 pm
Trevor have you moved to a bigger place. Good luck with the new garden. Loved the book but am convinced armchair gardening is my special talent!
Mary Buckley Dublin 18
Posted by Trevor Sargent on December 18, 2014 at 1:35 pm
Hi Mary,
Delighted you liked the book ‘Trevor’s Kitchen Garden’. That was written with small gardens in mind. Now we are living in Tacumshin, Co Wexford on 3 acres. New project, new challenges. I’ll continue to blog from the new place as it develops. Hens, ducks and maybe pigs arriving in 2015 hopefully. Look forward to hearing from you whenever you get a chance to dip in to a blog posting.
Organically yours,
Trevor