Category Archives: forest garden

Filling in a hole

Posted on January 29, 2021 by Helen

When I built the pond, I used the soil that had been excavated to build up soil in the raised bed and round the apple trees. However, I don’t remember this dip in the garden: No matter, I have a … Continue reading →

Posted in forest garden, Gardening, soil management | Tagged , , | 12 Comments

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 , , | 10 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

The growing bug house

Posted on November 26, 2020 by Helen

My crab apple tree seemed to lose its leave early this year while the other apple trees are still in leaf. In fact, one or two of them are growing new leaves. Are they confused? It’s therefore too early to … Continue reading →

Posted in forest garden, Gardening, Wildlife | Tagged , | 22 Comments

First attempt at homemade dandelion coffee

Posted on October 25, 2020 by Helen

Following my post ‘Herbs for Health’, I duly got my garden fork out yesterday and dug up a number of dandelion roots and, after giving them a good scrub, put them in the dehydrator. It’s a shame I had dug … Continue reading →

Posted in edible weeds, In the kitchen | Tagged , | 32 Comments

Herbs for Health

Posted on October 23, 2020 by Helen

To speak an obvious truth, the pandemic is affecting all our lives and most certainly not always for the best. At the same time, it would be remiss of me to suggest that my life has come to a complete … Continue reading →

Posted in edible flowers, foraging, forest garden, Health, herbs, In the kitchen, Permaculture | Tagged , , | 30 Comments

Making room for Rheum

Posted on October 13, 2020 by Helen

When is rhubarb not rhubarb? When it’s a plant in the Rheum family but not edible and has the name of ‘Ace of Hearts’. It might still have medicinal properties, which is why I decided to plant the one I … Continue reading →

Posted in forest garden, Pond and bog garden | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Kiss The Ground

Posted on September 24, 2020 by Helen

I almost never watch television but this afternoon have made an exception. First one person and then another on Twitter lauded a film which has just been released, so Kiss The Ground seemed a perfect way to fill a free … Continue reading →

Posted in climate change, forest garden, Permaculture | Tagged , , | 14 Comments

Hackfall

Posted on August 2, 2020 by Helen

I don’t always read my emails. There are so many that the majority reach the bin before they are opened. Then occasionally there is one which I’m glad I took the trouble to look at. One such the other day … Continue reading →

Posted in Days out, forest garden | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments