Monthly Archives: June 2016

We can breathe again

Posted on June 29, 2016 by Helen

I learned today that the birds will seem to have disappeared at the moment because they are moulting. Certainly, I had noticed that they were less in evidence, so I decided it was time to lift the netting. For one … Continue reading →

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Taming the unruly 

Posted on June 27, 2016 by Helen

This year, I seem to be spending far more time than ever before pulling and digging out unwanted vegetation. So much for mulch and ground cover supposedly keeping weeds at bay. To be fair, the reason there were brambles growing … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, In the kitchen, Permaculture | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

We don’t just like strawberries

Posted on June 26, 2016 by Helen

I weighed in the strawberries I picked today at about a pound, so I guess this week we’ve collected altogether at least two pounds. In other words, I’m quite happy to let the resident birds munch on the fruit as … Continue reading →

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Distracted by the strawberries 

Posted on June 24, 2016 by Helen

The above photos flatters the front garden more than reality. I’d just finished a bit of weeding – plants I didn’t sow where I’d sown cornflour and honesty seeds. The back garden is a different matter. I’ve never been so … Continue reading →

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

At last, the bay tree finds a home

Posted on June 22, 2016 by Helen

When I bought my bay tree three years ago, it was not much more than a seedling. Once put into a larger pot it grew well, but was clearly restricted by the pot. Nonetheless, it has already supplied me with … Continue reading →

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The bumblebee sting

Posted on June 21, 2016 by Helen

Still in my pyjamas, it seemed like a good idea to do some strawberry picking while the sun was out earlier on. The strawberries aren’t totally ripe but I couldn’t bare the thought of losing them (all). It’s a bit … Continue reading →

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Garlic bulbils 2016

Posted on June 20, 2016 by Helen

Last summer, the garlic bolted. This meant there were lots of bulbils, which I planted over the winter. The majority of these I dug up today, having decided they looked like they were ready, if this concept is appropriate for … Continue reading →

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Rain, sun and sleep

Posted on June 19, 2016 by Helen

Inspired by A Tale of Two Gardens, I popped outside to check on my hosta. This year because of all the extra vegetation surrounding it, I have been unable to put the usual crushed eggshells round it. I had thought I … Continue reading →

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A bumble bee joined me in the rain 

Posted on June 17, 2016 by Helen

I’d been hardening off some lettuce ready to be put into a small trough my sister had given me – yes, I had been trying to avoid containers but this one is just the right sharp to fit under a … Continue reading →

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Couch grass

Posted on June 16, 2016 by Helen

We seem to have had a reprieve from the most recent bout of rainy weather, so I decided it was time to get the spade out and make more space in the garden by getting rid of various unwanted vegetation. … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening | Tagged , , | 10 Comments