4. Setting up the "Horseshoe" Garden

The purpose of the "horseshoe" garden was threefold;

1. To develop part of the backyard around fruit trees.

2. To enable smaller vegetables to be grown in front of each of the fruit trees.

3. To eventually obstruct any sight of the greenhouse itself.

All of the southern half of the horseshoe was designed and dug up by our neighbour "landsupremo", who spent six(6) hours with a pick and shovel, digging and turning over the soil, and then went for a long distance run immediately afterwards (the ultimate fitness nut). He decided on a "not-so-straight" curve in the northern boundary which I eventually bordered by house bricks found stacked against the back fence. All that was needed to secure them was a little builder's sand, some powdered mortar and a light spray with the garden hose. As the lawn was developed to the edge, the bricks have not moved a single inch. This part of the horseshoe is now home to a bay tree, golden and red delicious apple trees, an imperial mandarin, valencia orange and meyer lemon.
Each tree has been protected by staked hessian, which keeps a small dog from urinating on the growing trunks. Since bees are attracted by the presence of lavender, we have planted shrubs between each of the trees. We have got used to the presence of bees now and they have also pollinated much of what we grow. The amount of flowers on the lemon tree was too much for them and because of its size we have been forced to pull away much of the fruit. If you want fruit leave the tree as it is, but if you want a bigger tree you need to forgo much of the developing fruit itself.
You will note in this picture that we decided to share this part of the horseshoe with broccoli and brocolini. Wrong move! Both vegetables take in copious amounts of water and have competed with the fruit trees for most of the winter. If you are going to share a growing area make sure the vegetables are small and dont compete for moisture. Fruit trees dont enjoy large aggressive neighbours. Next year we will plant lettuce instead.

The return half of the horseshoe is literally a mirror of the first, but with different fruit - a lime, and olive, a double peach and a pear tree. Again we have planted lavender between each tree which encourages more bees. During mid-afternoon on a warm summer's day we get quite a "buzz" out of our backyard;


With the completion of this work it was then possible to construct the necessary paving and encourage a small double lawn area. The backyard does not have to be all fruit and vegetables. It can incorporate an area of relaxation just as much as a productive zone. It just needs a thoughtful plan;















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