Although it has been wet (too wet to dig the beds) since the end of October, there have been other things I've been able to get on with.

One of the things I have done is plant out my "orchard". There is a big area in the middle of the plot which is just "grass" - couch grass and other weeds in reality. This is going to be what I rather grandly call my orchard. In reality it is four fruit trees.

I have a plum and greengage on my other plot and lots of people are now growing apples on their plots so I have opted for two pear trees and two cherry trees. I've lost the receipt with the names of the trees already but hopefully the labels are still readable! Anyway, the plan is to festoon the trees. Festooning is a method where by you bend the branches over so that they grow towards the ground. That way, the sap rises more slowly and (not sure why) but this causes the trees to set more fruit. It was quite common in France at one point, so I am told. It also means that I can keep the trees to a manageable height and will be able to net them and harvest the fruit more easily.

The Orchard

There are a couple of artichokes in the orchard at the moment but they will go in the spring.