[hebber]

Hello, I've been reading some of the posts over the last week and thought I should join in.  I have just quarter of an acre up on the Isle of Lewis.  I'm managing to grow some veg and fruit, and keep a few chickens.  Eventually I'd like to move to somewhere with more land and a climate that's a bit less taxing for the veggie growing.  It's mild here, compared to the mainland, but the constant gales tend to knock things back a bit.  I also dream of giving up the day job to do full time small-holding, so it's good to see so many other people with the same idea.  Perhaps... one day.

[Blinkers]

Hello Hebber - Welcome to this lovely website and Forum.       WOW what a place to live - any pics?    How long have you been there?

[Dan]

Hi hebber, and welcome. 

We also dream of giving up the day job and becoming a son and daughter of the soil, but we keep telling ourselves  it's important to enjoy the journey too. 

Like Blinkers I'd love to see some photos, have never ventured as far as Lewis.

[pigsatlesrues]

For a moment there, reading about Greece I was feeling warm - now reading your posting I feel that cold chill returning! How are you up or over there? It will be really interesting reading about how you go about all things garden since you are so much at the mercy of the elements.

A very warm welcome to your from a not so sunny Normandy!

Kate

[Rosemary]

Hi, hebby,

Welcome to the TAS forums. Look forward to hearing all about Lewis.

Rosemary

[carole]

Hello from me too

Carole

[mad dogs and us two]

And a very warm welcome from us two as well!

[hebber]

Thanks for all the welcomes.  I just tried posting a reply but didn't manage because the photos needed too much memory - so I hope I'm not repeating myself now.  I'm not very good with computers - I just keep pressing on things until something happens.
The main problems with growing stuff here is the wind and water.  If I started from scratch again I'd plant hedging for shelter and dig drainage before I started trying to grow veg.  My first year i just managed to grow jerusalem artichokes and broad beans before I noticed water was pooling in the vegetable patch and dug drainage channels.  I've been her about 21/2 years.  Last year I managed to grow more stuff.  I left kale and leeks in over the winter and they've all grown at an angle - away from the prevailing wind.  If I manage to post a photo you'll see that it's beautiful here in the summer, when the sun is out.  When it's like that you can't believe the gales will ever start up again.

[danndans]

and a big welcome from here!!!!!!!!!!!

[Malc]

Hi Hebber,

Totally sympathise with you over the veg. We're on Westray, the northern corner of the Orkneys, and the wind and the salt in the air are a nightmare for veg.

I've started a lot of cabbage, sprouts and beans in pots and, now that the weather is improving (at last), I'll plant out under some covers I've made out of wood and clear plastic (mini-polytunnels) and then keep my fingers crossed! An experimental row of lettuce planted out last autumn lasted only a couple of days.

The only real answer is a polytunnel which brings a whole set of new problems. I've just ordered one from Highland Polytunnels. It's a 10ft wide garden tunnel, but they're supplying it with a heavy duty frame and a toughened skin - here's hoping.

I'm lucky in that my wife has a job which means I can concentrate on the croft. If you do make the leap,  can heartily recommend pigs and Saddlebacks in particular. I'd be happy to sell you some stock!!! It would be a great excuse for a trip to the Western Isles.

[hebber]

Hello Malc,
It's great to hear from someone else who has seen their veg shrivel before their eyes in the wind.  I imagine things are more extreme in the orkneys.  How do you manage with the short days in the winter?  In the middle of winter here it gets light at about 9 and dark around 4 or 5pm.  I suppose your days are even shorter.
I've been thinking about making a mini-polytunnel myself just recently. I bought a grow bag greenhouse and some cloches last year and they disintegrated within a week or two in the wind.  A friend of mine made some mini-polytunnels out of old divan frames covered with plastic.  I'm having my cattle grid replaced (because it bent under the weight of the oil lorry), and I'm going to cover that with plastic.  That has to last!
I'd love to have pigs but don't have enough room.  I was going to put up a polytunnel too but my boyfriend and I have been talking about moving south in a year or two (the long nights drove me a bit nuts this winter), so that's been put on hold.

[Malc]

I've just rescued some very old lobster creels from the scrap heap at the back of the croft and I'll knock the bottom out and use them to keep the rabbits off.  I may try to cover a couple with clear polythene and see how that works.

The long nights are a pain, it gets dark at 3-3.30 in mid-December. I think the trick is to aim for one task per day and make sure you have plenty to read and a nice warm fire. Writing my blog helped a lot.

The upside is that it's now not dark until 8.30 and that will be more like 11.30 by the time June strolls around.

[Hilarysmum]

   Hi and welcome, sorry been off line, then busy, so belated welcome from me.

[hebber]

Using the lobster creels sounds like a good idea - I could use something like that instead of cloches.  I'll have to look around and see what I can find.
It's getting much lighter here too - I think it's about 8pm when it gets dark here now.

[Pebbles]

Hi Hebber and welcome.

You guys make me realise how lucky we are on the mainland. We moan about the weather, but it's nothing compared to your battles with it. I take it for granted that if I need anything I can pop down to B&Q where as you need to build, mend and adapt.

Best of luck. Hope the vegies go well for you this year.

Pebbles