Smallholding Challenges After Heavy Rain | Breaking Ground on the Polytunnel

[@thelostivy]

Such a relaxing video, doggies so so cute as usual!! 🤗 So cozy and comforting 🤎

[@OtterwoodCottage]

❤️

[@seanmckeown6120]

Leaving for work at 5... ouch. It's the moments/ times when things go wrong that make the good stuff so good. You're starting with a very blank canvas so the amount of work is ridiculous. Be kind to yourselves and don't rush... enjoy the journey 😊

[@OtterwoodCottage]

@@seanmckeown6120 Thank you and you are so right - we must keep reminding ourselves of exactly this. 🥰

[@DJ-uk5mm]

Hi congratulations on the new property. it’s great to have lots of exciting plans but oft it’s a good idea to hold back on any major infrastructure for at least 12 months so you can see all four seasons and understand the impact they have on your land …..I wish you the best of luck You definitely got the opportunity for a pond at least😊. Looks like you got some really useful outbuildings and some great hardstanding. Ponds will be really useful for later on in the year when the droughts kick in.. also you could stop them with rainbow trout perfect if you eat fish and they’re really good for vitamin d… the pain is also produce the most amazing fertiliser from the sludge the builds up in the bottom of them

[@paulbendall3878]

I, like you, appreciate the honesty of You Tube channels that show the good and bad. Sounds like you've had a couple of tough weeks, but you seem pragmatic so hopefully you'll get through it. Good to see you and Mr. H laughing when you were putting in the Polytunnel posts. If you can laugh when it is the worst possible weather, dark, miserable and cold think about what it will be like at the beginning of Summer. The longer, lighter, warmer days and an abundant harvest. Did you consider ground screws for anchoring the Polytunnel? Maybe be more expensive but easier and easily re-usable. Finally hats off to Mr. H for taking one for the team and sorting out the septic tank. Legend!

[@OtterwoodCottage]

He IS a legend 🥰 Ground screws weren’t an option with the model we bought unfortunately. We’ve got another three into the ground since this video and have got into a better rhythm with it now but the digging is just plain tough no matter what! We are pacing ourselves though so one step (or hole) at a time!

[@kneedownbrown]

Yes, there’s nothing wrong in changing your mind later and putting your beds in different places. With the heavy rain and waterlogged ground you’ve probably got a good idea of where to put you pond now !(assuming you want a nature pond rather than say a koi pond).

[@OtterwoodCottage]

Definitely a nature pond! Right were the big deep puddle is in the thumbnail pic feels the obvious place at the moment but that’s near the line of hawthorns so I need to investigate how wide their roots go as they may prevent us going for that spot!

[@mymessyplot]

Oh I don't envy you guys having to dig those polytunnel holes. I remember when we did ours at the allotment a few years ago - 12 holes. What a mission! But it'll all be worth it when its done. On another note, it sounds like you're going through the wars with leaks and septic tank issues and all that. The thought of being sprayed with gunk from the septic tank fills me with horror and if that wasn't the worst thing that happened this week - well I shudder to think!

[@OtterwoodCottage]

Haha! It was quite the week! Yes, hole digging is a pain and it is about now we start regretting buying two tunnels! But we’ll get there!

[@KirstyHart-nq4wk]

I hope next week is better for you.

[@OtterwoodCottage]

Thank you lovely 🥰

[@anoneemouse4516]

You need blue clay to line a pond. The clay you have is permiable. We had the same idea and then specialists advice

[@OtterwoodCottage]

@@anoneemouse4516 oh that’s super helpful to know, thank you so much ☺️

[@myrustygarden]

Remember Emma Rome wasn’t built in a day and the bible even says God took a day off so be kind to yourself as you are doing an awesome job. Gerald had to dig out the septic tank last spring and yes it’s a horrible job 👍👍 good man Mr H. 👍 silver lining clay for future pond Emma. The poly may be better done when it’s not so cold. There will always be moments when we question our sanity, but you are young and this is going to be hopefully your home for a very long time. Stick with it and keep that future in mind ❤. Have an awesome week and stay positive 👍, Ali 🥶🥶🇨🇦

[@OtterwoodCottage]

Ah thanks Ali. We are trying to get the holes dug while the ground is still wet and soft but once the real cold sets in and the ground freezes it would be a no go! It’s still relatively mild at the moment. We’ll see how we go and if it means holding off finishing until the Spring then that will be fine too x