Monthly Archives: May 2015

Can this be a weed?

Posted on May 31, 2015 by Helen

Today, it has been shockingly cold and dismal. On a gardening forum on Facebook, one woman was getting her husband to put fleece round the courgettes and beans….. I don’t blame her. I nearly did the same, as my courgettes … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Good for the environment, Permaculture, Social | Tagged , , | 17 Comments

Bokashi bin update

Posted on May 30, 2015 by Helen

Back in the winter of last year, I read an inspiring book by Looby Macnamara about people and permaculture. This inspired me to do my first ever mind map for my own purposes, the central theme of which was decluttering. … Continue reading →

Posted in Good for the environment, Make do and mend, Permaculture | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments

First rose of 2015

Posted on May 27, 2015 by Helen

When I got home this evening I noticed that the phacelia was starting to look the worse for wear. In other words, it was time to chop it down and add it to the compost bin. At least some of … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Permaculture | Tagged , | 9 Comments

A rare Tuesday in the garden

Posted on May 26, 2015 by Helen

Today has been the last day of a five-day weekend for me and, although I am a little sad that it is almost over, I am ever so pleased that things are moving along in a positive direction in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Permaculture | Tagged , | 19 Comments

The Walled Garden

Posted on May 25, 2015 by Helen

Old Sleningford Farm is part of a larger estate which belongs to Old Sleningford Hall. This Hall is having an open gardens event at the weekend and in preparation for this we went to help out at the farm. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Good for the environment, Permaculture, Social | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

Oh dear, we’re flowering!

Posted on May 23, 2015 by Helen

Yes, it is almost June and we haven’t had a frost since…. weeks. But you never know with British weather. And this year has been decidedly odd, anyway. So, the courgettes are eager to get out of their pots and … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Permaculture | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Not quite permaculture 

Posted on May 22, 2015 by Helen

When I got home last night, I noticed my neighbour had been doing some gardening. Then later I paid more attention.    There is a row of plants, some of which are geranium, which might technically be on my land….. … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Health, Permaculture, Social | Tagged , , | 20 Comments

The magic of rain

Posted on May 21, 2015 by Helen

Well, my hands might be in a mess but with the pain receding, and a renewed determination to involve my daughter in activities at home, when we got back this evening we had a lovely hour in the garden.    … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Permaculture, Social | Tagged , , | 16 Comments

Poorly

Posted on May 21, 2015 by Helen

Over the past few months, I’ve been dogged by eczema on the palms of my hands. It started out like a small patch of hard skin, first on my left hand and then on the right. And that’s what I … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Health | Tagged , | 28 Comments

Elderflower foraging and cordial

Posted on May 17, 2015 by Helen

During our walk along the country lane near our house on Friday evening, I noted that there were elderflowers aplenty along the path. Not only did they look beautiful but they would make an extremely good cordial I thought. No … Continue reading →

Posted in In the kitchen, Permaculture, Social | Tagged , , , | 15 Comments