Operation River Cottage
Goldeneye is having a go at the “Good Life” Operation Mini River Cottage is well under way
Much work has been done on the Goldeneye grounds but the final phase has been a slog.
The very back was once home to the tallest trees on Wybers Wood (officially according to the tree surgeon)
These were cleared last year, pictures below.
I decided to try and grow my own food in the newly acquired ‘land’ - although the project stalled last year, a Herculean effort this year sees the project well under way !
The view as was with trees in place
Picture taken on Sandra’s (neighbour to rear) cell phone
The heroic Scott hanging from a rope with chainsaw !
Look carefully and you’ll see that reduced in height by half they are now house roof height !
The trees took 4 full days to clear, Scott and Andy did a superb job. I too got stuck in so 3 guys working for 4 days gives you some idea of the job !
Watching Scott work was awesome ! Suspended by a rope at 2x house height chainsaw in one hand huge branches in the other .
Nice Work Fellas !
Once gone, the land lay fallow, as we farmers say, for a year. I’d like to proffer an agricultural excuse here but the real reason is … I’m a slacker !
Anyhoo, tremendously good soil, rain and sun saw tons of undergrowth appear in that time.
I have been clearing this for some weeks, mainly restricted by availability of wheelie bin space.
Clearing the subsequent growth filled at least 20 wheelie bins !
As I only have one, which is emptied fortnightly, various neighbours were kind enough to allow use of their capacity, thereby getting some value from the council tax 
Thanks go out to: Tracey, Sue, Alison and Christine - Nice Work Fella-ettes !
This is the view now from the same angle as the 1st shot
You’ll no doubt note it is raised and spot my dry stone walling ! Also the Goldeneye fence, in picture above - back right, recently mentioned on the site. This fence, whilst still being awesome, is not to be confused with the Super Awesome front fence constructed last summer and remains to this day, the very benchmark for any budding would-be fence builder
The first planting - onions left, leeks right
The above area cannot be seen from the 3rd pic, small section to rear of my garage.
Thanks go out to my brother for the onion and leek plants plus advice.
Nice Work Fella !
So dear reader, all is on track, I shall be updating this as and when and keeping you all posted as stuff goes in and, hopefully, comes out. I know you’re all riveted and cannot wait for the next instalment.
Regards
Rod Fearnley-Collins
Witches of Eastwick said,
June 17, 2007 @ 8:17 pm
Rod,
Arboriculturalists have more than a touch of the Ray Mears about them ….. when it came to our own forest we could have taken the job on ourselves with minimum fuss but in the end opted for the professionals and their canopy gymnastics.
Judging by the photographs you had definitely lost your way with the topiary, let that be a lesson for you
Good luck with the legumes, although LB might be expecting you to run before you can ‘horticulturally speaking’ walk. Perhaps a pot of cress on the windowsill would have been a safer move!
WoE
Rod said,
June 18, 2007 @ 8:48 am
WoE,
let’s avoid “topiary” you know where I always go with that
As to running before I can walk - no problemo !
Straight in at the deep end - I feel supremely confident
Just wait until you’re begging me for a few leaks for your cauldron !
RC
Jordan said,
June 18, 2007 @ 12:56 pm
Hello Rod Fearnley-Collins
Very nice.
Glad to see that you have plenty of fresh soil for cats to fertilise for you!!
Jordan
Rod said,
June 18, 2007 @ 4:57 pm
Jordan
I have been taking anti-cat measures and have phase two planned this week.
I am fairly confident I can eradicate them from my property.
They may also disturb the hedgehog who is currently fast asleep in the sun !
Regards
Green-Fingered Rod
the dinosaur said,
June 18, 2007 @ 6:35 pm
I get a sense of another career option developing here: future presenter of a T.V. programme on self-sufficiency called the “Gold Life”
Rod said,
June 19, 2007 @ 8:23 am
Dino
it could also be an opportunity for a reality TV show.
It may help highlight the plight of booksellers and show what they have been reduced to - growing their own food and the barter economy
Rod said,
June 21, 2007 @ 5:13 pm
Courgette seeds planted
harvest mid July to October - cut regularly for max’ yield.
Sprouting broccoli (Autumn Spear) seeds planted.
Transpalnt when large enough, 15″ apart. Cut heads before flowers begin to open.
Harvest September to November.
Rod said,
June 21, 2007 @ 6:47 pm
WoE,
I doubt fresh organic veg has much of a following in Mablethorpe unlike the mobile fish & chip van wish they all probably follow
My choice of planting is based on what I particularly like crossed with LB’s advice about what is advisable.
Whilst figs are well known for moving things they fail to move me into farming them
RC
Rod said,
June 28, 2007 @ 5:39 pm
Parsnips planted
When strong enough transplant 3″ apart.
When 4-6″ long remove alternate plants fo r final spacing of 8″
Harvest October to February
Witches of Eastwick said,
June 28, 2007 @ 7:48 pm
Rod,
Since the floods we’ve decided to go for rice instead …. it’ll come as no surprise to you perhaps that we already own the correct hat
WoE
Rod said,
July 5, 2007 @ 4:08 pm
Coriander planted
Thin seedlings 9-12″ Harvest Aug-Oct
Pick leaves as required. Harvest seeds when flower heads turn brown
Thyme seeds planted
Thin seedlings 12″ Harvest up to Dec
Spinach planted
Should require no thinning. Cut leaves when size dictates
“Speedy Seeds” ready to eat 6-8 weeks !
Rod said,
July 8, 2007 @ 11:57 am
Beetroot Seeds Added
Thin out to 1-2″ apart
Ready in about 12 weeks or so
Melon Plant Added
Nip lower shoots out. When fruit grows support away from ground
Cherry Tomato and Plum Tomato Plants Added
Fennel Plants Bedded in
Use bulb and ‘leaves’
Red Pepper Plant Added
Nip out lower shoots
Parsley Seeds Sown
Rod said,
July 9, 2007 @ 5:28 pm
Haricot Vert - French Dwarf Green Beans Sown
Should not require thining or any support
Harvest August and September
Rod said,
July 15, 2007 @ 5:21 pm
Spring Onion Seeds Planted - Ishikura
Ideally sow earlier and every 2-3 weeks for continual harvest
Ready Sept Oct ish
Carrot Seeds Planted - Autumn King 2
Thin out to 2-3″
Harvest 22 weeks
Carrot Seeds in - Early Nantes
Harvest Sept to Oct
Broccoli and Courgettes thinned out and replanted due to excess !