So starting at the top we concentrated on securing what's still standing and patching up minor damage. On the top two or three terraces the damage isn't too bad except some bits near the messy neighbour's land. On a few places just a bit of the front of the terrace has slumped down by a few feet. So the strategy here is to first support the remaining bit before it also collapses and takes the rest down several terraces, then build another support wall on the sunken bid like so:
and so:
The idea is that the lower bit in front can now be filled with manure and compost giving me a really deep fertile soil. The rear part in this case will also be held up by a pomegranate shrub, which is still young at this stage.
Now the rain has returned and we are having another enforced break. Luckily it's just a general drizzly damp rain come windy fog and not another downpour. So hopefully no further damage... Meanwhile I have some kale and tatsoi ready to be planted out, But I don't know where I'm going to put it...
Oh and the Epiphany witch hasn't come to visit for the second year running. I wish she would let me know when and how I have been naughty so I can improve my behaviour in future.
Oh and the Epiphany witch hasn't come to visit for the second year running. I wish she would let me know when and how I have been naughty so I can improve my behaviour in future.
14 comments:
Gosh, I hope the rain quits so the soil can dry out some. It's hard to repair soil like that when it's still so soggy.
I wish you the best luck in getting some repairs made so you can begin getting your crops planted. Would any type of plant/tree have tap roots long enough that they would hold the soil from sliding down? Maybe plant something in a gridwork fashion to hold the entire area of soil. Stay safe and good luck to you!
I haven't heard how Eddie is doing in all this. I hope he's okay. Let us know.
You've got a lot of work to do, but it must be good to have made a start and if the soil will be improved by the manure you're adding some good will come from the catastrophe. I hope the rain isn't too heavy and you can soon get back to work.
Veggie PAK, if it hadn't been for the trees and shrubs on our land, the damage would have been a lot worse. Eddie is doing fine, he tries to help with the digging. If only I could get him to dig at the right places... :)
CL, I hope this deep manuring is going to work, but yes essentially I should have some small bits much enriched, which will eventually do well for root crops (once the manure has rotted down a bit), something that I have'nt done too well with up until now because of the hard soil.
Yikes, bon courage!
It seems as though you are making the best of it though! Hang in there...
Looks like you have a good bit of work ahead. Wish I was there to lend a hand.
Those are some pretty steep hills, please be careful on those ledges -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amuW0ldoHJk&feature=related
Thanks Laura,
Mr.H, I'll make sure Susan's belt is attached more securly. :)
Adding any drainage to prevent soil saturation and direct future torrents?
Lots of work ahead, and your soil is a challenge at the best of times. The manure is a great idea. I wish you could have some kind of regular poo delivery; it would help so much there.
Michael, up intil now the hard clay soil was sufficient to repel water and direct it downwards. But this year accumulative record rains, were just exceptional. The new supports will have gaps in them to allow water to escape.
Stefani, I will be lugging a few carloads over from Piero's donkeys, wild boar and chickens again. But for many of the established beds it's a completly new start
hello brother! Little Kai sends her greetings to dear Eddie.
:-)
Happy New Year to you - may it be much better than the end to the last. Am only just now catching up with your blog after a long hiatus, and am so sorry for all the troubl you have been having. We see that it continues to rain almost daily, at least in Liguria - and hope that all the damage that will occur has occurred. Be of stout heart!
Thanks Fern. The last few days the weather has been quite good actually, almost spring-like. Long may it continue...
What a job! We haven't had any winter rains to speak of, and no snow either (most unusual), but there's time yet I suppose.
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