Monthly Archives: November 2017

The stake

Posted on November 27, 2017 by Helen

If like me you are into medieval history, the title for this post could be somewhat ambiguous. There is certainly a wooden post involved. However, it has quite a different use in my 21st century back garden. My dad had … Continue reading →

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Leaves gone, branches gone

Posted on November 24, 2017 by Helen

On Monday morning, the crab apple tree had four leaves at the very top. The wind got up and by lunch time, I could have given the tree a prune, except that I did the job this morning instead. The … Continue reading →

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The birds love the mulch

Posted on November 20, 2017 by Helen

When I recently moved the compost bin and planted garlic in the space where it had been, there was a thick layer of mulch left behind. Since this is one part of the garden which has so far received very … Continue reading →

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Strawberries out, currants in

Posted on November 17, 2017 by Helen

Last autumn, I decided not to plant out two blackcurrant bushes, as I needed to get the shed in first. However, this time round the only thing to hold me back was the strawberries, which were growing in the spot … Continue reading →

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Determined to have parsnips

Posted on November 13, 2017 by Helen

Yesterday, I shared with you the news that the roots of evening primrose may be like parsnips. And since parsnips are one of my favourite vegetables, it would be a shame to put the seeds I collected in the municipal … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, herbs, Permaculture | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

An alternative to parsnips?

Posted on November 12, 2017 by Helen

Parsnips don’t grow in my garden. Perhaps I haven’t tried hard enough. But if something is that difficult I might as well grow something else. Fortunately, evening primrose has none of the reticence exhibited by parsnips. It supposedly prefers full … Continue reading →

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Fertilising the apple tree

Posted on November 11, 2017 by Helen

Yesterday, as I was planting my newest apple tree, I reminisced about the other two and how they had much less goodness in their planting holes. I’m not sure this will have affected outcomes but the oldest of them, the … Continue reading →

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My Ribston Pippin

Posted on November 10, 2017 by Helen

After a year of waiting, the Ribston Pippin arrived on Wednesday. I wasn’t in, so the delivery was handed to one of my neighbours for safekeeping. I bet she wondered what it was. It could be described as looking like … Continue reading →

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Walking chives

Posted on November 6, 2017 by Helen

Recent high winds blew the heads of the walking onions away, so it doesn’t look like they will be walking any time soon. On the other hand, the chives self-seeded, making a new row this summer. While insects love the … Continue reading →

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Slate (and coffee cups)

Posted on November 3, 2017 by Helen

Last year, at Old Sleningford Farm, we cleaned the slate nameplates for the apple trees in the forest garden. From that moment, I wanted to have slate nameplates for my own trees. Eighteen months later, I decided to put an advert … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Good for the environment, Permaculture | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments