After many years exposed to the Tasmanian elements, the timber edging along our blackberry patch was starting to crumble. We had erected a temporary protective net that we have been meaning to upgrade for the same number of years.

Last winter, we purchased a couple of garden tunnels and finally got around to it. The new edging was laid with space to allow for the depth of the new covers

followed by plastic to discourage weeds and grass growth.

We filled in with soil

and a hefty layer of mulch.

Job done!

Or not. Our measurements hadn’t allowed for the 100mm skirt around the base of the covers. Back to the drawing board. We moved the edging another 200mm

and repeated the filling process. A new frame was added to support the training wires and the first cover fit like a glove.

With both tunnels in place

the canes were fixed to the wires, ready for some warmer weather.

We had a bumper crop this year, a few kilos of berries still being harvested at the end of April.