One of the worst farm jobs ever

Making flower beds is one of the more arduous, labour-intensive jobs. It’s either a great workout or killing us. I’m never sure. But three, new 25 metre beds are now ready for planting.

Back in November, we laid a tarp, put around 120 compost bags all around to weigh it down and left it.

On what felt like the first sunny day of the year last week, we decided it was time to make the new beds. We use the no-dig method. It doesn’t disturb the soil microsystem, but it also removes the need to till the ground.

120 wet, heavy compost bags off

This meant moving all 120 bags – now very wet and heavy – off the tarp.

We then put down a layer of cardboard. Nature had some fun at our expense at this point, After a calm, sunny morning, the moment all the cardboard was down, a mini tornado came from nowhere and sent the cardboard flying.

120 wet, heavy compost bags back on

Once we’d put the cardboard down again, we strung out the beds, and moved the 120 compost bags bag into place along each bed. Each bed takes about 40 x 40 litre bags to give about 13cm/5” of compost. We’d love to add more, but it’s already really expensive.

120 wet, heavy compost bags emptied out

We then slip open each bag, upend it and empty the compost onto the bed. Finally we rake it smooth. The cardboard rots down, and the bed is ready to plant in after a couple of weeks.

Bulb to Bunch | Beautiful, locally grown flowers, reminiscent of an English country garden, available as bouquets, in buckets and wholesale.
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