Monthly Archives: June 2020

Got them all out

Posted on June 30, 2020 by Helen

Last year, there was one tomato plant. It was quite prolific – but I’m hoping for better this year, having found space dotted around the garden for seven plants in all. The last of them was planted out yesterday, having … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening | Tagged onions, purple sprouting broccoli, tomatoes | 6 Comments

The closest I’ve been

Posted on June 26, 2020 by Helen

I got a surprise this morning when I got in the car to go and collect my provisions from the local organic farm. She’d been sitting there while I’d been doing my usual inspection of the front garden as I … Continue reading →

Posted in forest garden, Wildlife | Tagged blackbirds, strawberries | 6 Comments

Field and Flower

Posted on June 23, 2020 by Helen

On Sunday, we drove out to a place called Altofts to collect some books that a kind gentleman had offered me on Nextdoor, an app which connects neighbours (who sign up). Altofts isn’t actually next door, however, so in order … Continue reading →

Posted in Days out, Gardening, Good for the environment | Tagged Field and Flower, Nextdoor | 17 Comments

Making the switch: Ecotricity

Posted on June 21, 2020 by Helen

Last Sunday, I watched a webinar in which Jen Gale, author of The Sustainable(ish) Living Guide, gave an overview of her book. This was the prompt for me to switch my energy supplier. I’d seen adverts for Ecotricity in Permaculture … Continue reading →

Posted in Good for the environment, Permaculture | Tagged Ecotricity, Green Gas, renewable energy | 6 Comments

‘Be kind. Be compassionate. Have patience.’

Posted on June 18, 2020 by Helen

How have you been doing for exercise recently? At my end, things have been decidedly poor. A couple of weeks ago, I therefore realised I had to take myself in hand and find ways to incorporate more walking into my … Continue reading →

Posted in Days out, Wildlife | Tagged a walk in the park, Le monde diplomatique, Support Local | 14 Comments

Let the glut commence

Posted on June 16, 2020 by Helen

As always, I wait with bated breath as we approach June. Will there be a decent strawberry crop and when will it start? The first few strawberries are eaten before they are fully ripe. Just in case a bird should … Continue reading →

Posted in forest garden, Gardening | Tagged strawberries | 3 Comments

Only three!

Posted on June 15, 2020 by Helen

If you have apple trees, how are they bearing up this year? As you may already have read, the apple tree at the back of the garden, the oldest, didn’t produce any blossom this year. Ironically, the codling month traps … Continue reading →

Posted in forest garden, Gardening | Tagged apple trees, codling moth | 4 Comments

Taking shelter

Posted on June 11, 2020 by Helen

Well, we’ve gone from impending drought to a bout of extended rain. Not that the garden is complaining. For example, after a hiatus of a few weeks, the rhubarb is starting to poke its head above ground again. And I … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Wildlife | Tagged bumblebees, strawberries | 9 Comments

Popping up

Posted on June 10, 2020 by Helen

I got quite excited at the weekend. Shoots were starting to appear where two weeks ago I’d sown a mixture of beans by covering them with manure. Upon inspection, these shoots turned out to be nasturtiums, which are also welcome … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Permaculture | Tagged beans, manure, no-dig | 19 Comments