Author Archives: Helen

About Helen

I have always been interesting in living a more environmentally friendly lifestyle and used to do what I could. Now, I have come to realise that we have reached such a point in terms of environmental degradation that it is more important - perhaps - to focus on building resilience. I therefore do as much as I can to reuse, grow my own and encourage a supportive community, for example. I also keep reading and learning all the time.

First forage of 2021

Posted on January 27, 2021 by Helen

Now, before anyone thinks I’ve been breaking lockdown rules, I went as far as the back garden to collect a salad for my lunch today. I would say ‘our’ lunch but my daughter was totally underwhelmed. Instead, she opted for … Continue reading →

Posted in edible weeds, foraging | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Nature’s patterns in frost form

Posted on January 24, 2021 by Helen

After recent online shenanigans I finally felt as though I’d got my gardening mojo back today. At least insofar as I was able to appreciate the beauty of nature in its winter form. I had to decline the offer of … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, soil management | Tagged , | 11 Comments

A bowing bay

Posted on January 16, 2021 by Helen

I got quite a surprise on Thursday morning. It had snowed overnight and quite heavily, so at last the excitement had arrived in my part of the world. I don’t seem to remember, when it last snowed heavily in 2019, … Continue reading →

Posted in Days out, trees | Tagged | 15 Comments

Dandelions vs couch grass

Posted on January 11, 2021 by Helen

I thought I’d taken a photo of the pesky couch grass that’s been inhabiting the corner by the patio/pond but it seems not to be in the album. Anyway, I’m sure you know what it looks like as well as … Continue reading →

Posted in edible weeds, soil management | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

PIRN

Posted on January 8, 2021 by Helen

A few years ago, I joined the Permaculture International Research Network. However, nothing ever seemed to happen and then the email address I was using to access the group went belly up. Along came a revamped group, which was using … Continue reading →

Posted in Permaculture | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Wharfedale

Posted on January 4, 2021 by Helen

Just as well I decided today was the day to charge my car battery. At the time of writing, I’m waiting for the announcement that England is once more to go into lockdown, the kind of lockdown we had in … Continue reading →

Posted in Days out | Tagged , , | 21 Comments

Improving the raised bed

Posted on January 3, 2021 by Helen

Two years ago, when I made the raised bed, there wasn’t enough soil left from what was excavated to make the pond to fill it to the top. I’d not been making much compost at this time and was trying … Continue reading →

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

Poseidon‘s Trident

Posted on January 2, 2021 by Helen

Yesterday afternoon, I watched a series of videos on YouTube about the soil web. Immediately, I felt inspired to get out in the garden and do some work but of course it was dark. In any case, a purchase I … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, soil management | Tagged , | 2 Comments

BSBI Plant Hunt

Posted on January 1, 2021 by Helen

The Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland has a citizen science project on the go from today, January 1st to Monday, January 4th. They are looking for people to look in natural spaces for wild plants which are in flower … Continue reading →

Posted in climate change, Social | Tagged , | 12 Comments

‘A lot more’s been happening in 2020 than ….’*

Posted on December 31, 2020 by Helen

I haven’t blogged as much this year, neither writing nor reading. I can hardly say it’s because of my busy social life, though in some ways it is. For example, the world has opened up in as far I’ve been … Continue reading →

Posted in Days out, Gardening, Health, soil management, Wildlife | Tagged , , , | 19 Comments