A little light weeding

Rush all day. I noticed at 6pm tonight that I was still wearing my kneepads, so you could call it a long day of gardening. Naturally there were distractions. Race to M. Brun’s to deliver a cheque and send a message about wanting to order gravel for the courtyard and pool. Then work with Dario on the permutations of the new guesthouse bathroom. There are pipes and mess everywhere and complicated decisions to make.

Then as soon as possible it was out to the courtyard: clear all the leaves from the mulberry tree; clear all the weeds from the sides of the steps down to the lower garden. It was a matter of yanking out the weeds and moving the stones aside so I could put the pale mulch stones underneath. It looks a bit white right now – especially as it surrounds the artichokes, thyme and sage beds. And as the artichokes are decidedly junior I’m hoping they will grow and thrive and cover most of the whiteness. Next it was on to the mess of the removed quince tree. Not sure what to do there. And as Nicolas was decidedly absent I couldn’t get advice. But I think it needs filling in with something. And the edges need rebuilding with yet more walls. Will I tire of stones? Hope not.

Bernard and Nicolas arrived briefly to stick the reinforcing rods into the future walls. Fingers crossed they will be built by Christmas. I’m shelling out for work that isn’t getting done. Minor gripe. But then if I were here more often things would get done sooner. We have both pledged to spend more time here next year. I want a good session in January. Especially as it is vital to be here when building work takes place.

Then the afternoon was spent hauling the compost (not quite ready from the bin but I have to get it in) up to the asparagus bed. I wished I had time to plant it today, but tomorrow will have to do.

By five it was almost dark; and I was still weeding the onion beds. Gad that’s a lot of work. I start to despair of the bare style of vegetable beds. Give me weed proof fabric and bark chip mulch any day. I did try and get some bark chips at Castorama yesterday when I was scooping up 30 metres of wall tiles and floor tiles and such. But the colours of the bark chips were horrendously orange in colour. What happened to a natural hue? So I will have to do without, or try and track some down from the saw mill in St Michel de Chabrillanoux perhaps. Future project.

Right now I just have to do the weeds, plant things and start again at the end of the month.

Oh, yes, and the big project today, how could I forget when I can barely feel my fingertips; was to clear the weeds from the useless bed under the grape vines. Brambles, weeds of the tenacious variety and lots of fallen grape leaves. It isn’t going to be as messy next year. First Nicolas needs to help moving the six monstrously large stones that sit in the middle of the bed (one down, five to go) then I can put down a weed proof layer and add a pebble mulch over the top. And then I can think about four or five large pots to put something in. Anything better than six foot long brambles and hollyhocks madly seeding all over the place.