I finally managed to get the line of fruit trees tidied up in the back yard today – whooppeeee! Even though the rain started, I kept at it and finished the weeding, edging, putting down new compost and sticking in a few bulbs which I found in a bucket (they were already sprouting and needed a new home asap).

As any gardener will tell you, finding a good compost is a bit anxiety producing every year. The stuff isn’t the cheapest but you need it and I discovered the one I usually buy seems to be the same price as last year but in a smaller pack….I will keep an eye on that situation and report back if it improves. Until then I will tell you I have been happily surprised by the compost I did go for.

I have bought others in the past and as soon as you open it you find stones, chunks of woodchip and the like but I have used 2 bags of this so far and have found them both to be just what I was looking for. No wood or stones or lumps of mysterious substances – just good looking compost. I bought mine in a store called ‘The Range’ which has these bags (80l) at 2 for £20 or £12.99 each. (see recommendation page or click affiliate link for the compost here)

I have mentioned previously that the apple trees which I have in pots were looking a bit weak and I showed how much I have pruned them in an earlier post. This week, I scooped out the top layer of compost and replaced it with some new:

I am planning to top off the pot with a nice layer of seaweed which should really help boost the nutrient levels. Here’s hoping for a great apple harvest this year – I will of course keep you posted!