Monthly Archives: December 2019

Less produce, more fun

Posted on December 31, 2019 by Helen

This morning, I read an article with a clip of a puffin scratching itself with a stick in The Washington Post. The puffin wasn’t in the newspaper, by the way, but somewhere in Iceland. My reason for sharing it with … Continue reading →

Posted in forest garden, Gardening, perennials | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

Summer snowflake (L. aestivum)

Posted on December 29, 2019 by Helen

Of course, it is too early to say there will be no snow this winter but after all the rain since forever it seems, at least the plants in my garden which like moist conditions must be loving it. I … Continue reading →

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

Homespun

Posted on December 27, 2019 by Helen

In August, I picked up a bag of merino and yak fleece from the British Wool Show in York. At that point, I simply enjoyed spinning it into yarn without a thought for what the yarn would become. However, after … Continue reading →

Posted in Crafts, Gardening | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

British chickpeas

Posted on December 23, 2019 by Helen

I never thought I would see the day when I could buy chickpeas grown in Britain! But lo, here they are. Last December was my first order from Hodmedod but at that time there weren’t any of one of my … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | 30 Comments

A smell of blackcuurant

Posted on December 20, 2019 by Helen

I’d expected it to be raining and windy when I got up this morning, so was pleased that it was in fact fine for the job I had had planned for today: moving one of the currant bushes. The two … Continue reading →

Posted in forest garden | Tagged , , | 12 Comments

An early Christmas present for a Freegler

Posted on December 20, 2019 by Helen

Christmas seems to be more and more of an anti-climax each year – a brief interlude of boredom before the hope of a new year. I was therefore taken by surprise this afternoon, when a Freegler messaged to wish me … Continue reading →

Posted in Good for the environment, Social | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Hellebores and holly

Posted on December 17, 2019 by Helen

Two hellebores had been sitting on my patio for a number of weeks, waiting for me to do some clearing up in the front garden. I’d been inspired to add them to the collection after seeing hellebores intermingled with snowdrops … Continue reading →

Posted in Days out, Gardening | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Shots and shoots

Posted on December 15, 2019 by Helen

I had my first go at archery today with Towton Battlefield Society. With only one pair of gloves between us (leather to protect our fingers on the bow), my daughter and I had to take it in turns, which I … Continue reading →

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

How long will they take to rot?

Posted on December 13, 2019 by Helen

The big apple tree needed a good prune: Branches were growing into the shed and the fence, cluttering up the centre of the tree and pointing upwards. So, the bypass loppers came out today and off came a fair amount … Continue reading →

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

A new way of turning

Posted on December 9, 2019 by Helen

I vow every Monday to start the morning by reading a book but it rarely happens. Something always seems to get in the way. Today, was different and I luxuriated in the peacefulness of my latest tome without a shadow … Continue reading →

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