There are times when the only way I have of explaining the growth of everything here at the permaculture smallholding that is Bealtaine Cottage, is by citing the Fairies as the little workers that sally forth at night, as the sun descends and their Fairy Forts allow them exit…and here’s what I mean…
This bed is less than 3 weeks old, built and planted out on the same weekend…now look at the growth!
Well, it must have been the Fairies, because it wasn’t the chemical companies that most people use to grow food…
Talking of which, I was in Lidyl this morning and they had some lovely Rose Bushes for sale.
I did what I always do, I read the label…and oh, the utter disappointment!
It read that the Rose was licensed and one could not grow cuttings from it!
Imagine?
Not grow cuttings?
That’s like telling me not to drink the Spring water from the well, or breathe the clean air on the mountain!
So, …these are the raised potager beds in the Magical Gardens of Bealtaine Cottage…
Cardboard straight onto the gravel to stop weeds coming through!
And now to show you a little secret…here’s what I use to line the raised beds, sheep’s wool.
It’s referred to as “shoddy,” which is the parts of the fleece of little or no use for spinning.
It is very rich in plant food and even a liquid feed can be made from it.
It will rot down nicely and the roots of plants can bury themselves into the feast of food that is trapped therein! Fairies are fond of beauty and loathe straight lines…none here!
Just one more little bit of information on this beautiful Sunday in the west of Ireland…
You may be wondering why on earth there are pots sitting on the top of the raised beds…well that’s another brainstorm I had…
Cut the bottoms out of pots and plant that on the raised bed, with a plant inserted, so the roots have even more depth!
Have a lovely day and watch out for the Fairies! Earth Spirits are at work everywhere!
