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jema
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 28111
Location: escaped from Swindon

Posted: Tue Apr 07, 20 1:52 pm Post subject:

Next up is leveling the far corner and building a raised bed, a change in plan is not to block off the L but put a door in. That can give easy access to compost bins. It will also mean the terracing can focus on going down and not access needs. Also good is we already have enough decking for this design.
The design is also now pretty independent of the need to terrace, apart from a big post that will be part of the structure and part of the terrace.

tahir

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45420
Location: Essex

Posted: Tue Apr 07, 20 2:10 pm Post subject:
Huge amount of work so far! You've had good weather for it.

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 45460
Location: yes

Posted: Tue Apr 07, 20 7:55 pm Post subject:

ouch for the gouty toe, my dads chum demonstrated how it was not a comedy condition.
hope it improves soon.
colchicine? i had that as part of a clinical trial for the post staph infection induced pericarditis ages back , that works well.
iirc it was usually the weapon of choice for gout but it seemed to do both so they were giving it a trial and the jury found for colchicine's effectiveness, a bit rough on the tum but it has been used for gout since antiquity.

the project looks good, a simple retaining set of terraces will make things easier than trying to add access etc into the civils

i would be a bit wary of constructing the things that are going to be on the edge of that level until you have had a chance to play on the drop

a narrowish trench cut fairly deep up the slope should give you some idea of where to place the vertical drops of the terracing to give a chance at decent footings

jema
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 28111
Location: escaped from Swindon

Posted: Wed Apr 08, 20 5:09 pm Post subject:
Next bed built and filled. Was hoping to get the last one done today, but got too knackered and gouted in the end. So that's for tomorrow. I think tomorrows beds will approximately use up all the earth that was shifted. Have also put in mug shelves! Not sure what will be next up. quite possibly a stab at the roof, some chicken wire defence against the birds, we back on to a bird nature reserve!

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 45460
Location: yes

Posted: Wed Apr 08, 20 7:54 pm Post subject:
i am using repurposed 12mm galvanized mesh from guinea pig cages as protection and climbing frames, it works well but has made phone reception rather localized in the yard and kitchen strong, weather resistant, keeps out birds/mice etc but is easy to work around or under, pity about the phone thing but i can live with that better than chums being tempted to become vermin

Mistress Rose

Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15575

Posted: Thu Apr 09, 20 6:55 am Post subject:
Husband was recommended plenty of water and ibuprofen for gout. Hope it eases up soon, as I know it is very painful. It looks good, and providing mug shelves is an excellent idea.

Shane

Joined: 31 Oct 2005
Posts: 3467
Location: Doha. Is hot.

Posted: Thu Apr 09, 20 8:33 am Post subject:
Ibuprofen best avoided if possible while there's coronavirus doing the rounds - the two are not good bedfellows

jema
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 28111
Location: escaped from Swindon

Posted: Thu Apr 09, 20 2:19 pm Post subject:
toe rather better today New 3 high bed in and part filled, but since we have earth and decking to do it. I am going to raise the odd shaped bit 2 more boards, leaving the low one for things like beans that climb. With the mounds of earth somewhat gone it begins to show there is space still available to do interesting things with.

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 45460
Location: yes

Posted: Thu Apr 09, 20 5:13 pm Post subject:
bush fruit as a low level wind break along the edge?

jema
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 28111
Location: escaped from Swindon

Posted: Thu Apr 09, 20 6:40 pm Post subject:

I am thinking subject to getting materials of changing tack.

A couple of weeks ago the wind hit one of the shed roofs and whilst it is temporarily clamped together it is pretty clear the next gales may see not just than shed but the very old shed next to it die a death.

So new proposal is to play sliding block puzzles and try and move a greenhouse to behind the new beds. Then build a single decent shed where the greenhouse was.

Then dismantle the sheds and half the decking its on.

Then make raised beds from that decking that can take earth from when we start the terracing.

Last but not least build a new greenhouse where the sheds were. Being 18 inches or so lower is not going to make any difference to the sun a greenhouse will get in that spot.

This will create a lot more growing space and as I say something actually NEEDS to happen with a bit of foresight over astonishment.

Mistress Rose

Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15575

Posted: Fri Apr 10, 20 7:26 am Post subject:

Shane, agree about ibuprofen in general, but if it is needed for specific problems, it is still useful short term.

Jema, as far as wind is concerned, you could try either chain link fencing, hedging, or something like hurdle fencing to break it up. All of them allow some wind through, although they do stop the worst of it, but not being completely wind proof they are less likely to be blown over than a solid structure such as a shed or greenhouse.

jema
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 28111
Location: escaped from Swindon

Posted: Fri Apr 10, 20 9:38 am Post subject:

Mistress Rose wrote:

Toe has actually virtually recovered now.

Look at the back of the picture and you can make out posts with what is featherboard, alternating which side of the posts it attaches to. basically the wind here can be brutal and whilst the wall is pretty strong I did not want it taking all of the power of the wind.

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 45460
Location: yes

Posted: Fri Apr 10, 20 10:35 am Post subject:

re wind:

i grew up in a very windy place, after losing 2 garages we got a concrete one and in order to be relatively safe in the drive still needed a decent wind break.

at the edge of the slope was a big lilac bush, next in line a big rowan and by the back of a garage a twin trunk birch.

it took 20 yrs or so to get full benefit but the graduated size thing broke up the wind and pushed it upwards giving a reasonable level of shelter in the lee of the garage.

it was far better than the wind tunnel thing that could steal your car keys or your ten year old away to OZ but it drifted deep in snow

you have some trees already, would small tree and bush sized things fit into a planting scheme for wind and say fruit?

jema
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 28111
Location: escaped from Swindon

Posted: Fri Apr 10, 20 2:57 pm Post subject:
It would certainly be a good idea, but one that needs thinking on as I don't want to plant trees and change my mind.

jema
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 28111
Location: escaped from Swindon

Posted: Fri Apr 10, 20 4:41 pm Post subject:
Too hot to do much today and so just raised and braced the middle bed. Will fill Monday probably when it is meant to be cooler.

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