Saturday 17th January
We thought it was time to visit the nurseryman who sold us the peach tree this week, for some advice on how to put up the supporting wires. He was quite alarmed when we said we were planning to move it to a more sheltered location, and said we should do it quick - 'before the sap starts to rise'. However he did agree that a bit of shelter would be good, and recommended that we cover it with polythene in Spring when the flowers start to form. He said this helps protect against frost and also helps prevent peach leaf curl. He told us to buy three sturdy wooden supports and some galvanised wire. Even though we had visitors for the weekend, Peter decided that nothing should prevent the tree from being moved to it's new location. With stepladders, mallet and three 9 foot fence posts in tow, we set off to the plot. I found a sheltered spot close to the hedge, where an old bin had been standing, and dug a hole ready for planting. We must have looked a comical sight - Peter perched on top of the ladder weilding the mallet, and me down below holding on to the post to make sure it went in straight. One post went into the hole,
and the other two went about 8 feet either side. After much pounding, Peter was happy that the posts had gone in deep enough and he added a cross bar to keep them straight. The tree went easily into it's new home along with a bit of extra manure for good measure. We propped up an old piece of shed behind the tree to act as a reflective surface and give a bit of extra warmth.
John and Jenny stopped by for a chat - they were showing Jenny's sister around the site. It seems that everyone brings their vistors to show off their work. When Gill and Graham, our weekend visitors arrived shortly after, they asked us what the goal posts were for!
We thought it was time to visit the nurseryman who sold us the peach tree this week, for some advice on how to put up the supporting wires. He was quite alarmed when we said we were planning to move it to a more sheltered location, and said we should do it quick - 'before the sap starts to rise'. However he did agree that a bit of shelter would be good, and recommended that we cover it with polythene in Spring when the flowers start to form. He said this helps protect against frost and also helps prevent peach leaf curl. He told us to buy three sturdy wooden supports and some galvanised wire. Even though we had visitors for the weekend, Peter decided that nothing should prevent the tree from being moved to it's new location. With stepladders, mallet and three 9 foot fence posts in tow, we set off to the plot. I found a sheltered spot close to the hedge, where an old bin had been standing, and dug a hole ready for planting. We must have looked a comical sight - Peter perched on top of the ladder weilding the mallet, and me down below holding on to the post to make sure it went in straight. One post went into the hole,
and the other two went about 8 feet either side. After much pounding, Peter was happy that the posts had gone in deep enough and he added a cross bar to keep them straight. The tree went easily into it's new home along with a bit of extra manure for good measure. We propped up an old piece of shed behind the tree to act as a reflective surface and give a bit of extra warmth.John and Jenny stopped by for a chat - they were showing Jenny's sister around the site. It seems that everyone brings their vistors to show off their work. When Gill and Graham, our weekend visitors arrived shortly after, they asked us what the goal posts were for!
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