Polytunnel almost finished

We've been working on completing the polytunnel slowly as it's been so sunny and hot in there lately that it's been impossible to work in it consistently. Alex straightened out the doors frames and poured cement for the bolt holes in the ground that will secure the doors closed in the winter and open in the summer. He fixed the problem of the grading by installing two steps, as we will only use the West entrance for walking not driving. He's also installed thresholds in both doors to keep the gravel in place on sloping ground. Finally, Alex installed a tool organizer bar. I had envisioned something different but it works. 

I spread out the gravel which looks very nice - three loads so far. We need one more load to complete the floor out the door and to top up in the greenhouse below. I really like it. 

The automatic watering system is working fine so we don't have to worry about not being here. The tomatoes, courgettes, broccoli, beans, spring onions, hot peppers, cucumber, kiwi and leeks are doing well. The spinach and arugula have come up but no mange tout. None of the seeds I planted anywhere came up. I think it was a defective batch. 

We had to move potted plants outside as they were cooking inside and still have to water them daily by hand, along with the rest of the garden. I think it hasn't rained in about two weeks and won't rain until this coming weekend. The composter I bought is doing a nice job. I'll have fresh compost in a few weeks. 

What's left to do is:

• Finish the gravel
• Build the third bed
• Build the strawberry bed
• Plant the new beds

We're ordering a grapevine with eating grapes for the tunnel. We'll plant it next to the outer wall so its roots can grow out beyond the tunnel and get the moisture and depth from outside. 

We'll hopefully have a polytunnel party in the autumn. It seems like a good place for dancing, although dancing on gravel isn't always elegant. Doors can be open for ventilation, and if we pick a sunny day, it will be cosy inside. 

I love our new 'room'. 

Spreading out the gravel

Looking good.

Living with the space where the new bed
will go has caused us to change our minds. 
It will now go in line with the other two. 

Tomatoes! 

Beans courgettes, hot peppers, etc

The steps

The threshold

The beast, the sink, and the organizer

I love the raised beds. It makes the weeding a pleasure. 

The living quarters shaping up

The working quarters still have a few things pending.

Stuff is growing well

Now I can take a break and relax.

Polytunnel works

 

Alex bought wood and supplies from the Coop last week and we schlepped it all up the hill to the polytunnel. While he continued to dig a trench up to the water trough, he also started to build the raised beds. 

He's brought electricity up to the tunnel and water down from the field, although the water is not quite plumbed yet. He found an old disused farmhouse sink at Ross, which I have cleaned up after years of being neglected in the barn. That we shall set up by the door. It will do just fine. 

I have rescued a stainless steel table we had been using in the nursery as a rooting table and cleaned that up to use as a potting table in the tunnel. Alex is planning to build shelving along the east wall. The progress is slow but steady. 

Now that we have electricity and soon will have water, I can start setting up the seating area. Table and chairs, potted plants, peach tree, Avocado tree, Fig tree, Rose of Sharon, Acer (red), Kiwis, Citrus tree (to be added), eating grape. What else?  Possibly a hammock or two...

Now that I am fully vaccinated, I'll feel free to go shopping for more stuff in a couple of weeks.