It's Soil Jim, but not as we know it !!.

It was now time to get cultivating. The first job was to examine the soil and decide how to make it productive. To call it soil is somewhat of an overstatement. It's a red, sandy and very stony substance that you would normally drive on in this area.

Ever the optimist, Margaret collected a sample and tested it with the little litmus type kit she'd bought with her from UK (bless !!). She declared that all was OK as it tested alkaline so we'd have no worries. I thought it best at this stage not to point out the possible concerns I had about working it and persuading it to retain a few molecules of water.What resources were available ? One hombre (me), nearing retirement age (and having avoided anything mildly athletic during all of my previous years), and no tools. The obvious thing to do was to go out and find a spade and fork. Seemed reasonable !!I decided the first thing to do was to turn over a patch big enough to get something (anything) growing. To this end, I marked out an area of about 20sqm beside the house, shovelled up the hoggin that had been laid on top of he weed barrier which I then ripped up and then set about burning off the weeds that had grown though it. No, weed barrier does not work !!This was when my suspicions were confirmed. We were not looking at the Alan Titchmarch method here. My lovely new spade and fork just bounced off the surface. I might as well have tackled the weeds with nail scissors. So, it was off to the local co-operative shop again for a pick axe and a mattock (I think they are known as azadas in UK).Best few quid I ever spent. I've never come across a tool that's so versatile and cost effective. Go here to read someone elses opinion.
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Fleur Voice posted a discussion
 AMP UP YOUR TOOL KIT WITH A FREE MAKITA XGT 40V BATTERY Leading power tool and outdoor power equipment manufacturer Makita UK has launched a new ‘Professional Cordless Garden Machinery’ redemption promotion, where end users can claim a free XGT…
Saturday
simon caine replied to Peter sellers's discussion Battery hedgecutter
"I use easy lift harness it's a excellent bit of kit, butt like you said it can only be used in open runs but the newer version is a lot thinner around the body for the cost £250 it's worth a try you might be surprised "
Saturday
PGM replied to Peter sellers's discussion Battery hedgecutter
"We moved from petrol to battery about 5 years ago as we needed to replace all our gear at the same time. Our mowers and back pack blowers are still petrol though. We love it but, like everything, there are pro's and con's. Weight isn't one of the…"
Saturday
Billybop replied to Peter sellers's discussion Battery hedgecutter
"To get a decently powered battery long reacher down to 4kg i think the motor and battery would need to be housed in some kind of backpack arrangement, with a flexible shaft drive connecting to the base of the machine. The result might feel…"
Saturday
Peter sellers replied to Peter sellers's discussion Battery hedgecutter
"Yes have considered but as the bulknof our work is on commercial sites where you are forcing your way through dense planting suspect a harness will snag and impede the limited movement that  is available. Probably work ok on straight runs of hedging…"
Friday
John F replied to Peter sellers's discussion Battery hedgecutter
"Have you considered a harness Peter ? Not used one myself but Vic on here endorses the Elephant harness and his advice is usually spot on .
You can then use any machine with the harness although there may be limitations if you cannot get near to the…"
Friday
Peter sellers replied to Peter sellers's discussion Battery hedgecutter
"Thanks, appreciated. Have looked at the Echo standard reach with the longest blade available but that's 4.3 dry so well over 5 with battery"
Friday
Honey Badger replied to Peter sellers's discussion Battery hedgecutter
"I don't think your gonna get what you need out of battery kit until and/if batteries become lighter.
It's a compromise. hla 135 will give you the power you need but they are heavy. My favourite machine is the hla 66 it feels very light. Would I use…"
Friday
Peter sellers posted a discussion
Appreciate recent posts on this subject but as the new season approaches starting to focus on the ageing body again!Am I missing something? Trawled the net looking for an a lighter alternative to our Echo semi long reach machines at 5.9kg, these we…
Friday
Peter sellers replied to Andrew Bentley's discussion Finding work
"Andrew, that's all great news,well done !"
Friday
Andrew Bentley replied to Andrew Bentley's discussion Finding work
"Hi everyone 
Thank you to everyone who has replied and given some great feedback and advice.
A quick update. I tweaked my website, taking off my rates and a few bits of waffle! I've worked out how to carry my Ego mower around in the back of my…"
Friday
Andrew B replied to Andrew Bentley's discussion Finding work
"Hey Andrew, i'm in a similar position to yourself. Was doing 3 days estate work year round and the rest various clients. Have just left the estate work due to moving house and travel distances being too long. I currently have the passenger Peugeot…"
Thursday
Fusion Media posted a blog post
Burnham & Berrow Golf Club has successfully enhanced fairway resilience and improved turf quality following the integration of ICL's H2Pro TriSmart into its water management programme. The initiative was driven by the club's preparations to host…
Thursday
James replied to James King's discussion Weibang 53 SSD or Weibang 53 ASD BBC or Honda HRX 537?
"Always good to hear feedback. I have just purchased another Weibang mower myself. They are not perfect and have a few niggles but I have always found them reliable and they leave a great finish.
Weibang seem to be a forward thinking brand and are…"
Wednesday
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Battery hedgecutter

Appreciate recent posts on this subject but as the new season approaches starting to focus on the ageing body again!Am I missing something? Trawled the net looking for an a lighter alternative to our Echo semi long reach machines at 5.9kg, these we…

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7 Replies · Reply by simon caine on Saturday
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