Tag Archives: green manure

A scattering of buckwheat

Posted on July 4, 2020 by Helen

During the heatwave last week, the purple sprouting broccoli seedlings in the shed got forgotten. Just for a day. They were cooped up without fresh air and water, so when I finally remembered them, they were more than a little … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Permaculture, raised bed | Tagged buckwheat, companion planting, green manure, purple sprouting broccoli | 16 Comments

From radio interviews to ground elder

Posted on October 12, 2018 by Helen

Yesterday afternoon, I got a call from a BBC radio producer asking if I would mind being interviewed for one of their programmes (it isn’t to do with gardening or use of buses etc). The upshot is that this lunchtime … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Permaculture, Wildlife | Tagged green manure, ground elder, Jerusalem artichokes, runner beans | 13 Comments

Roots and soil condition

Posted on October 15, 2016 by Helen

My enthusiasm for building hugel beds is on the wane. Psoriatic hands and heavy soil don’t go too well together. However, I woke up this morning and felt inspired to get the spade out. The sun helped. So, now hugel … Continue reading →

Posted in Permaculture | Tagged green manure, hugelculture, soil | 2 Comments

Half a spade deep

Posted on August 20, 2016 by Helen

Yesterday, I took advantage of the rain to move the fuchsia. It’s got quite big now and is preventing me enjoying the smaller plants around it. Besides, it seemed a sensible idea to place it in the part of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Permaculture | Tagged clover, fuchsia, green manure, shallow soil | 8 Comments

As if by magic!

Posted on February 7, 2016 by Helen

This morning, I have seen just how useful a potting shed could be. I drew up the kitchen blind and there before me was a pot of cauliflower seedlings. Yesterday, I swear there was only one of them – … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening | Tagged germination, green manure, herb garden | 10 Comments

Teeming with life

Posted on February 5, 2016 by Helen

This morning, on the school run, I was delighted by the sight of a garden brimming with blooming daffodils. It also felt a bit eerie, considering we are barely into February. I would love to have had a photo but … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Permaculture, Wildlife | Tagged daffodils, green manure, spring vegetables, worms | 7 Comments

November bumblebee

Posted on November 27, 2015 by Helen

I have been wondering whether to cut down the phacelia in the front garden, especially since it was somewhat affected by the frost on Monday. However, I’m glad that I didn’t because I was amazed by the following sight when … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Permaculture, Wildlife | Tagged bumblebees, green manure, phacelia, sheet mulching | 17 Comments

Lasagne gardening feedback

Posted on September 29, 2015 by Helen

Starting on Boxing Day last year, I did a lasagne gardening experiment to get rid of my lawn. Putting down cardboard covered with manure at that time of year should have made killing the grass easier, in theory perhaps, as … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Permaculture | Tagged dandelions, green manure, lasagne gardening | 4 Comments

Next phase in the front garden

Posted on July 17, 2015 by Helen

It’s the start of ten days off work and I want my time to be as productive as possible. So what better way to procrastine over jobs in the house than to get into the garden! The phacelia and other … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Good for the environment, Permaculture | Tagged garden pests, green manure, lettuce, mulch | 5 Comments