Monthly Archives: March 2018

I used to be a fuchsia!

Posted on March 31, 2018 by Helen

I love fuchsia, so it’s been a tussle to persuade myself that the one by the front door had to go. However, it was getting big and, being deciduous, not the most inspiring plant in winter. In its place is … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

Citizen Science: Sensing the world

Posted on March 29, 2018 by Helen

Last year, I did a MOOC through Future Learn about soil. It was a project run by the Grow Observatory and while participants learned about their soil, the organisation gathered data to help understand soil profiles in Europe. Now, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Permaculture | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

The holly and the hawthorn

Posted on March 25, 2018 by Helen

When I moved into my property in 2009, there was a hawthorn hedge at the back of the garden. Being a native species and it being important for ecological reasons to have trees on our properties, I can see why … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Permaculture | Tagged , , , | 15 Comments

Christmas decorations

Posted on March 24, 2018 by Helen

Instead of going to my Knit and Natter group yesterday, it was a trip to the dentist’s, which afforded me the opportunity to drop in on a friend who lives nearby. She has been most generous in passing the ash … Continue reading →

Posted in Permaculture, presents, Wildlife | Tagged , , | 25 Comments

Snow on my birthday!

Posted on March 18, 2018 by Helen

It was snowing on the day I was born but I don’t think I have witnessed it on this day since. In any case, it didn’t stop play today. We did a baking class with Lovely Loaves, which meant we … Continue reading →

Posted in Days out, Gardening, Permaculture | Tagged , , , | 24 Comments

Dampness no barrier

Posted on March 15, 2018 by Helen

I recently reported that the phacelia seeds I’d been storing in the shed were damp and I’d therefore been concerned that they would fail to germinate. However, this week has been warmer and I’ve seen the first stirrings in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Permaculture | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

Almost did the splits

Posted on March 12, 2018 by Helen

Following the snow and rain we’ve been having recently, I noticed that a hole where I’d removed a stake from the side of the apple tree was filling with water. On top of battering winds earlier in the year, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Permaculture | Tagged , | 13 Comments

Snow statues

Posted on March 8, 2018 by Helen

I’d seen on the weather forecast that it was going to snow this morning. I hadn’t expected it to lay, though, so I was very surprised by the view when I woke up. It’s all but disappeared now, apart from … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Seed Cooperative purchases

Posted on March 7, 2018 by Helen

Last year, I saw an advertisement for the Seed Cooperative, which sells organic seeds, and decided this is where I would buy mine this year. The company’s policies tick lots of boxes for me: supporting other small organisations which work … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Permaculture | Tagged , , , , | 20 Comments

Composting fodder

Posted on March 5, 2018 by Helen

Anyone who’s been reading my blog for a while will be aware that I am a fan of homemade compost. Never mind that the rats are also fans, it is great to be able to turn waste products into something … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Permaculture | Tagged , , , | 19 Comments