It’s hard going, but worth it; I’m now consolidating the second row of individual raised beds into larger areas, working around the fruit cage and flower bed which remain enclosed. The advantages are more space for planting and quite a lot less grass to mow in the summer. The removal of the old rotting wooden sides will also make it harder for slugs and snails to hide 🙂

I’m disobeying the rules of ‘no-dig’, lifting the turf, removing perennial weeds and stones. The ground beneath the paths is heavy compacted clay, full of flint stones, so all this clearing work will create a good foundation for future no-dig cultivation. I am bagging all the weedy turf which will eventually break down into nice loam.

And I’m pleased to have now aligned the flower/herb beds where the width of the outer path permits. Much smarter (for now at least) than the higgledy squiggles of yore.