[mikethecamera]

We're all getting very excited now, two weeks today we get the keys to the farmhouse. The kids are running wild, Tom just gone to bed and shouted down the stairs, "Mum, I'm going to start packing my stuff",  he's only eight!
Been up to look at it again today and saw my 1st swallow of the year, must be a sign surely!.
Paula's bought me some veggy seeds from Lidl, can't wait to get them in, although the 'veg plot' is currently overgrown, with bits of old bed and farm machinery half buried in it, and is home to a family of rabbits, soon to be rabbit stew!, incidentally, does anybody know the best place to hire a rotovator for a weekend in North Wales?.
Will keep you all posted, (if you're interested), bye for now.
Mike

[little blue]

how exciting!  All the very best... 

[Brucklay]

Have a great time - I'm sure you will - love t read of your adventures if you have the time to post

[Beewyched]

A swallow already - wow.  Sounds like you'll be having fun excavating the veggie plot - though I'd source the main ingredient for the stew before planting-out your seedlings 

Sorry, can't help you with the rotavator,  from West Scotland, you could try posting it as a new topic though - there must be a few folk on here from round your way & hopefully you will make some great support networks too.

[robert waddell]

we had swallows yesterday and today in central scotland  and welcome to the forum

[Beewyched]

Think our swallows must've been blown off-course - no sign at all.  Wish they'd get a move-on, midges are around aplenty when I do the young pigs of an evening.

[doganjo]

Welcome from the Wee County (Clackmannan)
HSS have centres nationwide I think, but try googling 'hire rotavator north wales' and see what comes up.  Probably Yell might help too.  Do set up a thread for your progress, we're all very nosey on here and love reading what everyone else is doing.

[mikethecamera]

Thanks all for the welcome, You're right about the stew, hmmm can almost smell it already
Have tried HSS's website £60 odd quid for the small one for the weekend! (I'm only a poor smallholder you know)
If you're interested I'll be happy to do a blog/diary of our progress, be nice for us to look back on too. Watch this space (or an alternative one quite close to this one)
Mike

[Beewyched]

Good luck & best wishes to you all in your new life 

[mikethecamera]

Good luck & best wishes to you all in your new life 

Thankyou, and hope your swallows turn up soon, (if I see yours in North Wales, I'll be sure to give them directions North)
Think I'll try you idea for the rotovator post when we move in too, Thankyou

[bloomer]

good luck

how big an area do you need to rotivate over?

the big rear tined rotovators are more efficient but only cost effective for large areas, make sure any pernicious weeds are cleared before rotivation or you just make the problem worse!!!!

it can be better to dig by hand if the area is small enough for a first pass as you will spot and remove more roots etc from the ground that you don't want leaving in!!!

i don't smallhold yet but do garden for a living so know a bit about ground preperation!!!

[mikethecamera]

The 'patch' I've got earmarked for the 'veggie' plot is approx 60'x20', don't think my back can take that with a spade!. It's old pasture land, cant see any ragwort there, and I've had dealings with my old friend (or should that be fiend) japanese knotweed so I'll be sure to keep a lookout. Other than that its mostly nettles and grass so should turn in ok.. I hope!. Thanks for the advice

[bloomer]

the two to be afraid of are bind weed and mares tail!!!

sounds like a good sized veg plot should produce a fair bit if you plant sensibly...

[Beewyched]

What about getting a couple of weaners? - they'd clear it beautifully for you, fertilising as they go.  Then sausage & bacon for the family for the rest of the year  

[benkt]

Congratulations!

I had a similar problem with our new place, with a lot of land to rotavate I nearly had a heartattack looking at the HSS prices for a big rear-tined one. In the end, I found a local lawnmower servicing place that rents out a big old camon for about £20 a day! Did such a great job I'll get it back for a couple of days next week.