Tag Archives: bumblebees

No longer a perennial

Posted on June 24, 2021 by Helen

After picking all the florets off the Nine-Star broccoli, I kept an eye on it for more shoots, so that they didn’t turn to flowers. Under its cloche and a layer of micro mesh, however, it was difficult to keep … Continue reading →

Posted in perennials, Wildlife | Tagged , , , | 24 Comments

A bumblebee nest

Posted on March 22, 2021 by Helen

When I was shopping for a rosemary plant last week, I had a look for a cactus dahlia, having been charmed by the ones I saw at River Cottage in the summer of 2019. There weren’t any to my taste … Continue reading →

Posted in edible flowers, Wildlife | Tagged , | 17 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 , | 9 Comments

A-buzz about something

Posted on October 12, 2019 by Helen

Yesterday, we went to see what was on offer at Leeds Light Night, where the city centre is lit up in more or less interesting ways. With a tired and cantankerous child in tow, we ended up in the University … Continue reading →

Posted in Days out, Wildlife | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Introducing the ferns

Posted on June 10, 2019 by Helen

I have long wanted a fern in my garden and finally a couple of weeks ago I acquired two from RHS Wisley. These were destined for the spot between the fence and the pond. However, two weeks ago, the phacelia … Continue reading →

Posted in perennials, Pond and bog garden, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , | 19 Comments

Ecology of a tree

Posted on June 1, 2019 by Helen

I’ve just spent a fascinating half hour watching the various insects on my Orleans Reinette (apple tree). You know how you pop out to put something in the bin, only to find you need your camera… well, I did rush … Continue reading →

Posted in forest garden, Wildlife | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments

Another unnamed gift

Posted on March 29, 2019 by Helen

One of the other members of my Knit and Natter group asked me if I would be interested in something from her garden. It apparently likes damp soil, so I thought why not for the bog garden. I’m not so … Continue reading →

Posted in Pond and bog garden, presents, Wildlife | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

Time for biomass

Posted on February 19, 2018 by Helen

It looks like inside the shed is damp. Not only did some of my produce go mouldy over the winter but the phacelia seeds I kept in there were soft rather than brittle when I took them out today. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Permaculture, Wildlife | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Sorting the forest garden out

Posted on June 26, 2017 by Helen

In a recent post I mentioned the lemon balm, which was going crazy in my back garden. It all started when a small volunteer arrived a couple years or so ago. I put it in a pot once I realised it … Continue reading →

Posted in In the kitchen, Permaculture | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

Absorbed

Posted on May 28, 2017 by Helen

Yesterday, whilst collected chive flowers, I noticed a bumblebee feeding on them, too. Only this one didn’t flit about. It was like a statue. On one flower for as long as it took me to collect two tubfuls and run … Continue reading →

Posted in In the kitchen, Wildlife | Tagged , | 13 Comments