New Rock Garden and Greenhouse - Ardivachar

[Chris Johnson]

Planning a new venture while it's pelting down with rain and blowing (another) gale is the easy bit.

On our croft we have several rocky outcrops amidst stable wind-blown shell-sand (machair) habitat. One of these is to the rear of our house, buried beneath rank grass through lack of grazing over a number of years. It's not easy to get perspective from these first photographs but once we have cleared the turf a better idea of what we have to work with will become more apparent.

It is planned to site the greenhouse behind the solar panels to gain maximum protection from the prevailing winds.

1. East
2. South
3. West
4. North
5. Hint of what's beneath.

[Chris Johnson]

That's the second time I've failed to add more than one image?

I'll try again.

[Chris Johnson]

That seems to have worked. Not sure what I did differently?

[Maggi Young]

I presume you fully clicked on the add attachments options, Chris.   If you click on a post to "modify" you'll see what the posts look like  in edit mode and that might help you work out the system- I'll send you some notes which may be of help.

 I think your photos show very clearly that the site is a "blank page"  and also that the task will not be an easy one. 

[Chris Johnson]

Thanks for the notes Maggi, I'll respond shortly.

[David Nicholson]

Bit of a problem just nipping down to Tesco there Chris. Hardy breed you Islanders.

[Chris Johnson]

Bit of a problem just nipping down to Tesco there Chris. Hardy breed you Islanders.

But it's so peaceful David, and we to have mailorder.

[mark smyth]

Looking at the photos first I assumed the solar panels were little green houses

[David Nicholson]

But it's so peaceful David, and we to have mailorder.

Chris, I get nervous when I can't see a cooling tower!

[Chris Johnson]

Chris, I get nervous when I can't see a cooling tower!

Far more pleasing than a cooling tower is my neighbour's JCB 

[angie]

Chris really looking forward to this thread. I like the idea of putting the solar panels on the ground. I live 4miles outside Aberdeen and when folks come to me they say oh you are a bit remote here, love to hear their thoughts on where you live. I also live in a windy place on top of a hill. Its so quiet except for the deer and the foxes in a evening. I love the lowliness but it is fine just to nip to Sainsbury for a bar of chocolate occasionally  . Just think the amount that I would have to buy if I needed to stock up monthly 
Cant wait to see things develop. good luck and please keep the pictures coming.

Angie 

 

[Chris Johnson]

Thanks for the enthusiasm, Angie.  We came for the peace, tranquility and wildlife and have not been disappointed. The Uists are a desert for trees and shopping so occasional trips to Stornoway are necessary. Stornoway is not very inspiring but it has a fragment of old woodland, (where I look for fungi and bryophytes), and good fish stall, butchers shop and deli. You can see where the priorities lie.

The site has now been cleared of turf - will post some more pictures soon.

Chris

[ChrisB]

Looking forward to seeing how this develops Chris.  Very good idea to shelter behind the solar panels.....

[angie]

Looking forward to seeing how this develops Chris.  Very good idea to shelter behind the solar panels.....

Same here. It will be nice to see what your garden becomes. Can I have the diggers now that you are finished with them. This is our next problem, I duck pond maybe, the ground is so wet and its full of rushes. We have trees all around us apart from this one opening and the wind howls right to my garden. Now we have purchased the land in front of us I thought we could close that gap of with fast growing trees but I think I won't live long enough to get the benefit of these.

Ashamed to say it but I have never visited your part of the country. Keep posting the pictures.

Angie 

[Chris Johnson]

Looking forward to seeing how this develops Chris.  Very good idea to shelter behind the solar panels.....

An easy decision in the end but we did contemplate having it closer to the house, however, it would have been too shady in winter.

Chris