We’ve started work on the walled garden transformation. We’ve got a grand vision that this will become a thriving fruit and vegetable plot that can help sustain our family, but there’s a bit of work to do before that’s a reality!

#garden #gardening #homestead #renovation #farmhouse #france #newlife

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34 Comments

  1. While you are fixing the wall build a gate opening for a tractor so you can rotovate and cart in compost. Regards Billy from South Africa

  2. Best to get a compost system in place right away. compost is your best friend in a garden. Keep the oak tree. Some shade is ok for plants especially in the heat of the summer. Also make sure there is room between your beds for a wheel barrow to get down comfortably. Also water source near by is so important. Having to lug water to a bed is not fun at all.

  3. Remember, during the growing season, the shade cast by the oak tree will be mostly directly under the tree. You may want that for sitting under during those hot days working in the garden. Put you a little bistro table and chairs to enjoy a glass or two of lemonade while working. As for the no dig method, it’s a good thing you have a never ending supply of cardboard boxes to pull from. Get to unpacking and then break down the boxes to have at the ready for making your beds. You may want to get a load or two of compost to lay on top of the wet cardboard. ❤️😊

  4. Remember, during the growing season, the shade cast by the oak tree will be mostly directly under the tree. You may want that for sitting under during those hot days working in the garden. Put you a little bistro table and chairs to enjoy a glass or two of lemonade while working. As for the no dig method, it’s a good thing you have a never ending supply of cardboard boxes to pull from. Get to unpacking and then break down the boxes to have at the ready for making your beds. You may want to get a load or two of compost to lay on top of the wet cardboard. ❤️😊

  5. Would leave the 2 pedestal basins where they are and just make sure they are level. Great for annual herbs and strawberries!

  6. Too much sunlight is probably going to be a bigger problem than not enough. Check drainage direction during a rainy moment and how you can perhaps use it to your advantage by creating a few small swales.

  7. That walled garden is huge! Unless you are experienced garde ers…best to start small… Very small as in a few 4 by 8 raised beds that you put together with whatever you have to hand at least 18 inches deep….read up on lasagna gardening methods. 🙂

  8. Please Do Not cut that beautiful oak tree. You will need shade areas in your garden to help the veggies grow. That tree was strategically placed there on purpose. It will become the family’s favorite place to sit under to escape the summer heat and admire your garden. Please look at nature to see that the best survival for plants is trees, shrubs, veggies, and herbs all working together. Take your time, go for walks and observe nature then mimic it. You will get much better harvest and will love your garden. Those “junk” items could definitely be up-cycled too. You can use those bed frames as trellis climber supports for beans and tomatoes, etc. A lick of spray paint and a little ingenuity and voila you got character in your garden and more importantly free materials at your disposal. Those water fountain basins are very expensive to purchase (at least here in the states). I would recommend holding onto them for future projects or at least sell them. I love gardening and trees are very important for the health of gardens. Plus there are many veggies/beneficial pollinators/plants that like partial shade. I hope that helps. You got such good bones to work with and I am excited by all the potential your place has to offer. I hope you enjoy your family home and create many happy memories there.

  9. The oak tree is going to get a lot bigger and really should be taken out now while its manageable. Cheers sue Melbourne Australia 🇦🇺

  10. Please make your life easier and buy some serious tools: there are battery operated mini chain saws, deep two wheeled carts and wagons, and irrigation systems which can improve your results and save work. Check with neighbors about burning garden waste. If you keep your burn piles small and in season you can create a good amount of ash which certain trees and plants love. Compost stations can also process a good deal of garden waste, but they are difficult to keep looking tidy, so think carefully about where you locate yours. Good luck, such as big space will require work but give back hours of delight.

  11. That area would get plenty enough sunshine for veg snd herbs. Remember some like a bit more shade, like salad greens. A bit of shade is to your advantage

  12. Please don’t cut down the tree you will be grateful for the shade. Your plans are good but very ambitious for year one! That’s a lot of work and weeding in full sun. But lots of luck.

  13. Excellent effort! “We need another person” 🤣 I'm voting to keep the oak tree. It's shade will be an excellent seating area to watch the girls from when they are old enough to help collect produce for the kitchen! 🇫🇷🚴

  14. Hi guys, sounds a good plan for your vegetable garden, as regards the oak tree you could top the tree and keep it smaller and then it wouldn’t cast any shade. You just have to chop it each year.

  15. The bigger that tree would get, it would end up knocking the wall out of its way, roots and all! Then the fact it would also suck up major amounts of your garden water!

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