Start of the Kitchen Garden Season #6

 This was the state of the polytunnel at the start of the day, 5th April ...

Photo 1: Polytunnel on 5th April

The Veg/Salad Planters and Quadgrow units had not been touched since the crops were harvested at the end of the 2024 growing season. Apart, that is, from a couple of Veg/Salad Planters where the spent coir compost had been used to mulch some of the raised flower beds (Photo 2).

Photo 2: Raised Bed Mulched with Spent Coir Compost

 Spent coir compost was repurposed as mulch and any residual water in the reservoirs (Photo 3), that would still contain some nutrients, was applied to fruit trees and bushes. This nutrient-rich feed will encourage the flowering/fruiting of the plum, apple and pear trees.

Photo 3: Nutrient-Rich Water in Quadgrow Reservoir

The tomato/cucumber root systems from last season's crops (Photo 4) were extracted from the Quadgrow reservoirs, drained of excess water and added to the HotBin composters. With their fine structure, high surface area and nutrient-loading, they provide a welcome boost to any compost bin.

Photo 4: Tomato/Cucumber Root Mass from Quadgrows

Once emptied of spent compost and nutrient-rich reservoir water, the Quadgrows and Veg/Salad Planters were hosed down to remove soil residues, etc (I do this over the asparagus beds so no water goes to waste). All the parts of the Quadgrows & Veg/Salad Planters are washed in a 100:1 solution of Citrox P (300 ml diluted with 30 litres of solar-heated hot water in a 75 litre trug).

At the end of the day (still the 5th April), I had a pile of clean equipment ...

Photo 5: Citrox P Treated Quadgrows, etc 

... and a less chaotic polytunnel?

Photo 6: Getting There Slowly

At the far end of the polytunnel, you can see the used wicks from the Quadgrow and Veg/Salad Planters hung up to dry out. After cleaning, these wicks will be ready for another season's use.

Another day and I will have broken the back of this tiresome but worthwhile job.