Hello from Sligo

paddy-s · Hazel Tree Joined: 01 Aug 2008 Posts: 26 Location: Sligo

Hello all. Found you from a link from Country Talk and Tips. Have posted one question, which has been answered, on the forum so far.

We bought an old place with 3 acres and have spent the last 5 years working on it. There are 100+ year old beech trees, sycamore and ash. We have planted in excess of 400 Silver Birch, Mountain Ash, Red Oak. We have also planted Dogwood, 5 different types of willow, Maple, Flowering Cherry and Apple.
We built raised beds and a "poly shed" and grow our own veg.

The three acres were over grown grazing meadow and marsh and it has been great seeing the transformation.

Looking forward to asking questions and helping, if I can, on the forum.

Dr. Sunny Thomson · Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 9:42 am Post subject:

Wow, what a setting. I especially love the old stable behind the house. The raised beds are neato and look to be producing quite a bit. Wink

Is the poly shed made from the hard poly sheets with the ripple effect to create a type of glasshouse.

paddy-s · Hazel Tree Joined: 01 Aug 2008 Posts: 26 Location: Sligo

The poly, which I must post a pic of, is made from corrugated pvc 6ft x 2ft 6 sheets on a timber frame. It only take a little sun to really raise the temperature and we hope to use it to have winter long salads and veg.

Dr. Sunny Thomson · Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 10:27 am Post subject:

thats great news about the poly house paddy-s as I was thinking of making one using those type of sheets myself. I thought I might be a fool, it wouldn't work and would look ugly. But if you have had success then that will spur me on. Thanks. Very Happy

I found this thread as well. http://www.gardenplansireland.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=5463 . Is this like yours paddy-s.

Sive · Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 10:45 am Post subject:

What an inspirational set of photos, your pond looks fabulous, and your raised beds are so smart and easy to access.
I'm full of admiration for your energy. Keep posting photos to inspire us all!

paddy-s · Hazel Tree Joined: 01 Aug 2008 Posts: 26 Location: Sligo

Still not finished. Guttering to go on and a water butt. Getting there slowly but surely.

Lovely weather for working outside Confused

Lisa-Adam · Hazel Tree Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 26

Not so lovely weather for working out side Laughing

What an idyllic spot nonetheless. Thanks for sharing it with us paddy-s. What direction is your green house facing as I have a wal that I could build one up against as well, but am unsure that it gets enough sun.

paddy-s · Hazel Tree Joined: 01 Aug 2008 Posts: 26 Location: Sligo

The wall is facing South West but it gets the sun from first thing in the morning 'till about 6 in the evening.

elphin · Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 3:44 pm Post subject: Poly shed

Hi, wonderful garden. Just wondering how the Poly shed is during the winter. WE built a small one against the backwall of our shed and while it is very warm during summer and I can grow tomatoes etc. in winter it is very damp.
Do you heat it? Also your pond is great. WE are just about to do one.
Did you use a preformed or the fabric.
regards and keep posting pics to inspire us.

paddy-s · Hazel Tree Joined: 01 Aug 2008 Posts: 26 Location: Sligo

The shed won't be heated and is ventilated so it should help with the damp.

The pond is dug into clay with no lining. We have doubled the size of it but have not joined up the new section yet. We will wait until it settles over Winter. I will post a new pic of it soon.

jimmy mac · Hawthorn Tree Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 70

hi i have just got my hands on 3 acres at the back of my house and i am wondering if i can plant trees on it straight away it is currently in stubble or do i need to sow grass first.Aso if i dig a pond will it hold the water or do i need to line it.??

paddy-s · Hazel Tree Joined: 01 Aug 2008 Posts: 26 Location: Sligo

I would wait until the ground work is done, harrowing and sowing, before I would plant trees, also it is too cold at the moment to plant, I would wait till March.

The pond all depends on your ground type. Most of the country will not hold permanent water and would need a liner. Ours is pure clay when you go down more than 2 feet so the water will just sit and the rain tops it up.

jimmy mac · Hawthorn Tree Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 70

thanks for that paddy i note yousaid it is too cold to sow trees.I have just sowed 70 mountain ash trees and that very night we got 3 daysheavy frost .does anyone know if this could have killed them

paddy-s · Hazel Tree Joined: 01 Aug 2008 Posts: 26 Location: Sligo

If they are bare root and are planted deep enough they should be OK but if the ground is very wet and the frost penetrated down far enough you might have problems. Save the rest of the planting till late Feb early March.

Good luck and post some pics.

jimmy mac · Hawthorn Tree Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 70

thanks for the advice .i will take some pics next week and post them rgds james