Monthly Archives: August 2017

Trusses submerged 

Posted on August 29, 2017 by Helen

Today, we managed two walled gardens: a second look in at the one in Helmsley, followed by one at Beningbrough on the way home. At both I sighed to see ginormous squash. Still, it gave me hope that I would … Continue reading →

Posted in Days out, Gardening | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

Round things

Posted on August 28, 2017 by Helen

We first visited Helmsley Walled Garden last autumn and in spite of the best intentions hadn’t actually been back again before today. However, as we were on foot (in other words, not having to worry about bicycles as we had … Continue reading →

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

Over the moors and back again

Posted on August 27, 2017 by Helen

I’ve just finished reading an article in which George Monbiot is interviewed about his view of the moors as managed at the moment. Unfortunately, the moors are not that easy to photograph, so here is a verbal description: there are … Continue reading →

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It’s walking…

Posted on August 26, 2017 by Helen

It must be a year since my dad gave me some walking onions. Having nowhere in the ground to put them, they went in some pots, where I watched them grow and form onion heads.  Then I wondered what might … Continue reading →

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Late for the dentist

Posted on August 25, 2017 by Helen

This morning, I’d been loading the car with things to take to the tip, when I noticed some weeds and flowers which wanted removing from the front garden. Well, maybe they didn’t and it was simply social pressure. During the … Continue reading →

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Courgette to the rescue 

Posted on August 20, 2017 by Helen

August for me is similar to the last week of December. People are away or preoccupied, so essentially my daughter and I are left largely to amuse ourselves. Now, some families may feel this is ace. However, it is dull … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Permaculture, Social | Tagged , , , | 11 Comments

Perennial chard – A sequel

Posted on August 19, 2017 by Helen

In 2015, I published a blog post entitled ‘Perennial chard’, which has had more hits than any other. Now, I don’t know why precisely people are searching this topic, except from the occasional search term suggesting they are curious to … Continue reading →

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The forgotten crop

Posted on August 17, 2017 by Helen

I’ve been so preoccupied with the melon plants by the back door, watching as fruit after fruit has failed to germinate and then dropped off, that I completely forgot about the chilli plant on my bedroom windowsill. Until this morning, … Continue reading →

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Momentum from cycling

Posted on August 14, 2017 by Helen

Last time we went to Clumber Park, off the A1, I noticed that you could hire bikes and, as we don’t currently have any of our own, this seemed an appealing way to spend a summer afternoon. It was certainly … Continue reading →

Posted in Days out, Gardening | Tagged , , , | 11 Comments

Mowing the lawn 

Posted on August 12, 2017 by Helen

Today my dad asked if I would mow the lawn for him. Now, this is a first for me and I was somewhat surprised to find that it is hard work cutting grass. Or rather scything is possibly comparably easier … Continue reading →

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