Rotten Galvanised Rabbit Wire

Well yesterday I manage to find out how those pesky rabbits had managed to get into the garden the other day. 

I spotted a game trail going across the garden next to another damaged tree.

Game trail under the wire

 The most annoying thing is that the trail seems to go under the wire, but four years ago when I put this wire in, I spent a lot of time digging it into the ground a good foot or so so the rabbits couldn't dig underneath it. 

The trouble is it's rotted off at ground level. So far it only seems to be one section but I'm more than a little disappointed with the galvanised wire that I bought. I always thought that the posts would give out long before the wire. 

 So I did a repair on the fence, digging in some more wire and attaching it to the old wire. I'll have to keep an eye on the rest of the wire now as well, I'll probably only realise I have another problem when I see more rabbit damage.

Anyone know a solution for stopping wire rotting off like this or have a better solution for a rabbit proof fence. Maybe if I ever get all my other jobs finished I'll build a wall around the garden! 

Garden Apprentice

Few things make me happier than having one of the children help me in the garden. I managed to get out in the greenhouse after work one night this week with the lighter evenings.

Between us we managed to sow a few seeds and pot on some cuttings I took last year. The cuttings were of some of my more expensive plants, so I was quite pleased, having another 5 cocktail kiwi plants around the smallholding will be great in a few years time, as will some more blueberries and Chilean Guavas. Just need to find places to plant them all now. 

Each and every night when I get back from work she has to come and shut the chickens in with me (wearing my hat - not the one in the picture), she's not worried about the dark at all. I think I've got myself a little apprentice in the making (although the wife says she's too young to learn to shoot yet)! 

Bustin' Clays

Or not in my case!

I had a great day yesterday as I got invited to a friends surprise 50th birthday clay pigeon shoot.

It's been years since I've been clay shooting and even then it was on my uncles home made trap that would almost take a finger with it if you weren't paying attention.

The shoot was really well organised and interesting with lots of the clays being fired in different ways to simulate different game. Some were much easier than others, but I was being shown up by the two brothers over from me who didn't seem to miss a clay.

My 12 bore wondered what had happened to it, I don't think it's ever fired so many cartridges in one go. I think I got through 8 boxes (nearly a slab), but I'm not going to say how many of those hit their targets! Maybe I should have some lessons! 

A great day spent outside, with great company. Thanks again Tim and family! 

Spring Is So Close I Can Almost Smell It!

The weather is changing, with cold mornings and winter sunshine it really warms the soul. 

I worked from home yesterday making a door for a customer, so I took advantage of the sunshine spent a bit of time in the garden, planting some early seeds. 

I know I'm late getting my chillies in but I find it doesn't make huge amounts of difference if you haven't got a grow lamp anyway, sometimes they can get too leggy if you sow them too early. I also got some tomatoes in as well, but I'll sow plenty more of them later.

They're all sat quite happily on our bedroom window sill, germinating slowly.

Does anyone on here graft tomatoes or chillies or buy plants that have been grafted? I'd like to try my hand at it but need to buy the root stock seed to try it (and the grafting clips). 

Little 'Un

The boy will be six weeks old on Tuesday and he's growing fast. He's healthy and happy, smiling already and gaining weight fast, so much bigger than the girls were at his age. 

A few of you have asked for some pictures of the little one so I hope this keeps you happy! 
Sorry if I've been bad at replying to comments or reading everyone else's blogs - the days are just blurring into one and I've been very busy with my work as well!