Monthly Archives: November 2015

Fruit, roots and trees

Posted on November 30, 2015 by Helen

Normally, I would not rejoice in ferocious winds or fallen branches but yesterday I was relieved to see this in my garden    The object in question is a branch which had been lodged in next door’s tree after it … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Permaculture | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

Gratitude

Posted on November 29, 2015 by Helen

I already knew yesterday I was going to      where you can swap unwanted clothes for those donated by another person. What I didn’t know was that there were surprises elsewhere in store for us. One of these was … Continue reading →

Posted in Good for the environment, Make do and mend, Social | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

November bumblebee

Posted on November 27, 2015 by Helen

I have been wondering whether to cut down the phacelia in the front garden, especially since it was somewhat affected by the frost on Monday.  However, I’m glad that I didn’t because I was amazed by the following sight when … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Permaculture, Wildlife | Tagged , , , | 17 Comments

Marco Polo and other matters

Posted on November 27, 2015 by Helen

Actually, this post has nothing to do with Marco Polo but has a lot to do with a supposedly good storer by the name of Marco.    It took me quite a long time to locate the rest of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, In the kitchen, Permaculture | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

The onset of winter 2015

Posted on November 23, 2015 by Helen

This morning there was frost on car windscreens and the water which collects on the top of one on my compost bins had frozen over.    I did have plans for work in the garden today but after a caffeine-induced … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, In the kitchen | Tagged , , | 16 Comments

A new path

Posted on November 21, 2015 by Helen

Work in the garden took a maximum of half an hour this morning. And was effortless after the digging I did yesterday. Originally, there was a path on the right hand side of the garden which was… useless. It was … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Permaculture | Tagged , , | 18 Comments

Forest Garden makeover underway

Posted on November 20, 2015 by Helen

This time last year, I planted lots of strawberry runners, courtesy of Old Sleningford Farm, so that there was ground cover in my nascent forest garden. And over the summer I was really pleased to see new runners shooting out … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Permaculture | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

Heuchera on the move

Posted on November 16, 2015 by Helen

Since 1) discovering the concept of a forest garden and 2) changing my front lawn into a garden proper, I have been looking forward to this day. In only one and a half years, the heuchera near the apple tree … Continue reading →

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

Out of the mud

Posted on November 15, 2015 by Helen

The garden is sodden, really sodden, and the squelch of mud is not far behind. However, working on the principle that it is better to do a little often, I went out to pull up an old tomato plant.  Then, … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, In the kitchen, Permaculture, Social | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

An obstacle overcome

Posted on November 13, 2015 by Helen

You know when there is a job you need to do and until it’s done others have to wait? I’ve had one such in the form of a large paving stone sitting underneath my kitchen windowsill.   Goodness knows how … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Permaculture | Tagged , , | 17 Comments