Monthly Archives: April 2017

Never enough space for seedlings

Posted on April 30, 2017 by Helen

Today, I feel I have achieved quite a lot in terms of potting on. I am still enthralled by the fact that I can do this, now that I have the shed and a cold frame. So, butternut squash as … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Is the glass half full or half empty?

Posted on April 28, 2017 by Helen

Today started off well. It was sunny and I got some essential jobs done in the house. Then I heard work going on out the back and I had a sense of foreboding.  When I looked outside, I noticed some … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening | Tagged , , | 12 Comments

The price of chard

Posted on April 26, 2017 by Helen

At the weekend, I visited a friend who has guinea pigs. Thus, I saw a way of doing her a favour and relieving my garden of a vegetable which had grown so profusely over the last year that I really … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Permaculture | Tagged , | 14 Comments

Up with the garden path: Completion!

Posted on April 25, 2017 by Helen

In April 2013, I decided to tackle the path, running down the bottom right of the garden, which was an unsightly space filled with pebbles and weeds. I couldn’t even pull the wheelie bins over it to get them out for … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Permaculture | Tagged , | 9 Comments

Native bluebells?

Posted on April 24, 2017 by Helen

This morning, whilst picking nettles for soup and cordial in a lane (bridleway) just by my house, I noticed some bluebells. My first thought was one of dismay, that Spanish bluebells were everywhere. However, I’m not so sure they are … Continue reading →

Posted in foraging | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Borage is back

Posted on April 23, 2017 by Helen

Last year, I sowed borage seeds in the front garden to fill a space – a large space. The borage, with self-seeded phacelia, then took over and smothered quite a few other plants. Thankfully, they survived and have grown more … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, herbs | Tagged , , | 11 Comments

Seed Co-operative

Posted on April 21, 2017 by Helen

Whilst reading the Permaculture Magazine this morning, I took note of an advertisement for a company that produces and sells organic and biodynamic seed. The company is based in Lincolnshire (UK). A little intrigued, I looked up Seed Co-operative on … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Make do and mend | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Eyes bigger than my belly

Posted on April 18, 2017 by Helen

One thing that I didn’t mention about my trip to Clumber Park, a National Trust property in Nottinghamshire, on Sunday is that I ended up buying butternut squash seeds. I’d already purchased some earlier in the year (from a different … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, herbs, Permaculture | Tagged , , | 14 Comments

Deadheading for Dad

Posted on April 17, 2017 by Helen

Yesterday, my daughter and I helped my dad out round the garden by deadheading the daffodils and other spring flowers past their best. I’d never thought to deadhead daffodils and some of mine are doing decidedly badly, so I think … Continue reading →

Posted in Days out, Gardening, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , | 17 Comments

Three for the price of one

Posted on April 14, 2017 by Helen

Never in my life have I bought peat – not as pots or compost. I was therefore less than thrilled to see a gardening kit in my Christmas stocking which included such.  In general, I try to make sure I … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Good for the environment | Tagged , | 21 Comments