Monthly Archives: November 2019

Lower branches

Posted on November 29, 2019 by Helen

When I picked the crab apples back in September, I noticed that those on the top of the tree were bigger and without marks. So, yet again I have a question as to why this might be. Notwithstanding, the lower … Continue reading →

Posted in soil management, trees | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

Careful with those buds!

Posted on November 26, 2019 by Helen

My obsession with the hazel trees continues…. I’ve been working from home today and, when the virus check slowed the computer down to the extent I could’ve scroll down any of the documents I was using, I decided it was … Continue reading →

Posted in soil management, trees | Tagged , , , , | 12 Comments

A safe place to step

Posted on November 25, 2019 by Helen

Over the last year or so, I’ve often been wobbling around on bricks to get from A to B in the back garden. Slowly, I’ve been collecting stones to aid the walking process but have nonetheless had one or two … Continue reading →

Posted in Good for the environment, Social | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

Same species or what!

Posted on November 22, 2019 by Helen

In February, I got two hazel trees from the Woodland Trust. They are both mere sticks when they arrived and over the year I have been monitoring their growth with fascination. Even though they started out the same size and … Continue reading →

Posted in forest garden, trees | Tagged , | 12 Comments

An ice-covered pond

Posted on November 20, 2019 by Helen

It’s a while since I’ve blogged about the pond in the back garden. Basically, there hasn’t been anything of note to write about. Until the first frost hit the garden yesterday. The photo above doesn’t do justice to the layer … Continue reading →

Posted in Awards, Pond and bog garden, Reading | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

I must learn to say no!

Posted on November 18, 2019 by Helen

When my neighbour gave me her gooseberry bush over the summer, I explained that I wouldn’t be able to plant it till winter. However, I knew that she wanted the tub it was in for winter bedding plants. So, even … Continue reading →

Posted in forest garden, Gardening | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

How to fill a Green Johanna

Posted on November 16, 2019 by Helen

I had had high hopes of yesterday morning, originally intending to get quite a few jobs done in the garden. However, work has become a bit of a nightmare and I ended up pre-occupied with other matters than horticulture. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, raised bed, soil management | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

The Green Johanna is here!

Posted on November 11, 2019 by Helen

Today has been another of those joyous occasions, mingled with a touch of sadness. Once rush hour was over, I was eager to pick up the Green Johanna hot composting bin this morning and then wasted no time in assembling … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, soil management | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

An ink cap

Posted on November 8, 2019 by Helen

After last Saturday’s mushroom foray, I had been wondering whether or not I would see any fungi in the back garden this autumn. Possibly there has been plenty, but with the garden still so green and lush it is hard … Continue reading →

Posted in foraging, Gardening, soil management | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Thought it was a ghost

Posted on November 8, 2019 by Helen

Last night, I popped outside and whilst on the patio, a shadow past in front of me. I jumped. Looking round, I tried to work out how such a phenomenon could have happened naturally. Had a bat momentarily blocked the … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening | Tagged , | 25 Comments