Project chain - soil, compost, chickens and the fruit and veg garden.

This week has been a series of linked projects.

The ultimate aim was to get some seedlings planted.

But the chickens were currently occupying the ground I wanted to plant in. So first I needed to move the chickens. They had been preparing a patch for me -  digging and pecking and weeding. They'd done a good job, but were bored of the bare soil they had created.

But before moving them, I wanted to dump loads of compost on their propective new patch. Various Youtubers have had lots of sucess using chickens to dig in compost and it seemed a great chance to try this.

But there is already too much soil in this area and if I add compost, there will be even more. Luckily there is a rocky hole that needs filling by the drive. It's impossible to mow because of the rocks and would be so much better levelled off with soil.

So there you have it:

Fill the hole,

To remove some soil,

To move the compost,

To move the chickens,

To plant some seedlings.

There was an old lady who swollowed a fly.....

Step 1 Filling the hole

It's a bit hard to see a slope in photos, but top left there is a tree on top of the bank. In the centre there is the electricity meter on a mound. Then there is Allie dog on the drive. And hopefully you can see that the base of the soil heap and the area towards the bottom left corner of the picture, is lower than Allie. I need to strim the weeds in the hole and rake the soil heap level. It's not enough soil, but it's a start.

Side view - "aren't I being a great reference point, mum"

Step 2 Shifting the compost

One empty compost bin

Step 3 move chickens

 Here's the plot they were on. Pippa is pointing out where the chick mobile stood and Martha is pointing out the row of peas that was just outside their run.

 As you can see below, they've done quite a nice job of keeping this patch weed free. And yes, that's two dogs sniffing a chicken top left. She's not known as Plucky for no reason. It's really nice to see. At least I don't have to worry about chickens getting out or dogs getting into their run when I'm about. They're still dogs and Allie still thinks its funny to surprise them and make them flap so I won't be trusting them alone, but seeing as theyve had little experience of chickens to my knowledge, it's reassuring that no one's first thought is killing.

Here's the new run from the top end. This was my potato patch last year, so the state of it is a bit shocking. But the chickens love it.

Here's the same from the bottom end. Here you can see the heap of compost from step 2.

 Mmmmm. We're loving it.

Here's the whole garden from the top, in case you've forgotten it.

And finally, step 4: Erect tomato shelter and plant seeds.

(This was taken during a rain shower. Which was perfect for the seeds, but not so appreciated by an Allie dog.)

A very productive week for the garden.