We moved into the smallholding on January 15th of this year and it seems there are still lots of places I haven't yet seen properly and lots to discover that changes with the seasons. Let me show you what I mean.
I discovered this tree/bush right outside my back door that I had no idea was there. I believe it is a quince tree?
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| It's only about knee high, this is me looking down on it. |
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Steven tried it, it was very sour.
To the left of the patch where the quince tree is a gate which a wall now stands behind. This wall now separates us from the neighbours. The gate used to lead out to the working part of the farm, the old barns and stables.
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| Between the gate and the wall |
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| I'm wondering if this area is too shaded to have as a herb garden? I'd like to do something with the space but I am not sure what. |
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| So many huge pots outside of the very small brick barn. |
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| This was left by the previous owners, we're going to use the trough for the sheep |
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That's the barn infront of Steven, our neighbours house to the right.
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| The other side of the barn, the wall to the right is newly built and is the neighbours. I'm not sure why they left this passageway. |
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| Part of the woods |
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| Getting ready for Christmas |
These photos make up most of my thinking for the weekend. What could we do with the space, what did people do with it before us? How to make the most of it all....my mind is overflowing with ideas which is fabulous.
We're also looking at the area where the polytunnel and new raised beds will go, more on that tomorrow. I'm off to cook the chicken for our Sunday Dinner - sets us up for the working week ahead.
Isn't it strange when you find things along the way that you didn't know about. Very exciting and look forward to hearing about your plans and ideas.x
ReplyDeleteAs always the ideas are filling my head and seeping out through any crevis available so I need to get the written down asap xx
DeleteQuince is very sour but it smells florally when it is ripe. It may be a japonica quince which is still edible but quince is best cooked. Stewed in syrup, quince jelly, membrillo. You have ready made Christmas greenery for the house. Now that is a bonus. I have been thinking about getting some hanging baskets and packing them with Ivy plants and then hanging them up to give a winter display along with some cheap recycled jam jars the ones I cannot get lids for and decorated with fir cones, and twine on the outside and maybe a little greenery maybe bay leave with tea lights in. Look forward to your post on the poly tunnel. I would be inclined to plant up my own wild hedge with crab apples, elderflower, rosehip, cherry plum, damsons, bullace in then you will have your own wild larder in which to do things for the pantry with. That's one of the things I would do. Take care. Pattypanxx
ReplyDeleteI will have a google re the quince but it smells florally, yes.
DeleteI could picture the crafts in my head that you were describing then, sounds great and something the kids and I could do. You always have great ideas, thanks Tricia xx
Where you have your wall is it sunny, you could have a couple of fruit trees there with branches along the wall
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of that, the wall at the small barn is sunny yes - I'd just need to protect them from the sheep. Thanks
DeleteIf the walls are sunny you could pop in a grape to grow along it on wires, or fan train some cherries plums or peaches, or even pop a fig tree in in, look forward to your poly tunnel plans
ReplyDeleteI think I will get grape for the polytunnel, one best grown in protected areas. I like the thought of the fig tree, I've never had a fresh one before
DeleteThe passageway could be to allow for repairs to your barn wall/roof if needed...and in the meantime hideaway storage? Nice Christmas tree! x
ReplyDeleteThat's a good point, thank you - they may have left it for access. I think they left the 2 gates as memories of the original farm, which I like. The tree is fab isn't it? Thank you
DeleteSuch a beautiful tree to find right under your nose ☺♥
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing to keep finding things we didn't know were there, I love it. Magical
DeleteI understand you can make jams and jellies with quince although I've never tried it.😉
ReplyDeleteI will try a small one to see how it comes out - thank you
DeleteI am so nosy I love when people take pictures like this. Because of the gate at the end of the passage way maybe that is the reason they didnt come up to your boundary? Could you add a plastic roof and use it as storage? you can never have enough outdoor storage.
ReplyDeleteIf there is no sun behind that wall what about putting a roof over that area and having logs there? more storage ideas! lol
You have got me thinking with the logs, we do have a log area but we could do something similar here....I love nosy pics too lol
DeleteHello just found your blog.........slow, I know!
ReplyDeleteWe had a self sufficient smallholding for 23 years but had to give it up due to health of OH
Good luck with your plans.
PS I think it's an ornamental quince as proper quince are much taller bushes or trees an the fruit bigger too.
Hi Sue, welcome :) I'll be very interested to find your blog too, so you are not the only slow one hah! Thanks for the tip on the quince
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