Tag Archives: rhubarb

Rats like raw onions

Posted on February 21, 2021 by Helen

Now, I’m sure you are already aware that it can be dangerous and counter-productive to generalise from a single incident. The fact is that the generalised title had a better ring to it. Shame! Anyway, while the rat has been … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Wildlife | Tagged , , , | 16 Comments

It wasn’t me!

Posted on November 10, 2020 by Helen

Well, the start of another working week commences but first I took a short trip round the garden and now I have a curious event to report. The phone camera doesn’t do the best job of close-ups, so what you … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, soil management, Wildlife | Tagged , , | 23 Comments

Baby rhubarb

Posted on May 22, 2020 by Helen

I can’t believe it is a month ago since I last volunteered at my local organic farm. And here I was once again, this time first potting up basil seedlings, followed by rhubarb transplants. I’d always wondered why the farm … Continue reading →

Posted in Days out, forest garden, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , | 12 Comments

The first good feed in years

Posted on May 10, 2020 by Helen

Ever since we’d started going to Red Lodge Farm near Wakefield for our raw milk, we’d pass a stables which offered ‘Free Manure’. The first time, I lodged it in the back of my mind for future reference; and thereafter … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, soil management | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

An unexpected jelly

Posted on March 23, 2020 by Helen

Yesterday evening I got the inspiration to use up some rhubarb which had been lurking in the fridge from reading a blogpost by Reclaiming Paradise with a rhubarb cake recipe. Now, this recipe called for the rhubarb to be stewed … Continue reading →

Posted in Good for the environment, In the kitchen | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

A country lane marred

Posted on March 19, 2020 by Helen

At lunchtime, I decided to stretch my legs by posting my Mother’s Day card at the other end of the village. I hadn’t been on this particular walk for many months and as I entered the bridle path I was … Continue reading →

Posted in trees, Wildlife | Tagged , , | 12 Comments

A salutary look round the garden

Posted on March 18, 2020 by Helen

Yesterday, I left my office for what might be several months. At least I still have a job and my employer has loaned me a laptop so I can keep teaching at home. However, I am trying to keep the … Continue reading →

Posted in edible weeds, forest garden, Gardening, Pond and bog garden | Tagged , , , | 16 Comments

Too soon, too late

Posted on January 10, 2020 by Helen

Around the start of the year, I noticed the rhubarb was behaving peculiarly. Or perhaps the soil around the crown was simply falling away. But no, it seems to be sprouting. Considering this variety of rhubarb has normally only started … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, perennials, trees | Tagged , , | 11 Comments

No let-up!

Posted on October 14, 2019 by Helen

If you are in the U.K., you may be forgiven for thinking this post is a moan about the incessant rain. However, as it appears to be doing my garden some good – ah, the sandy loam is coming into … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, herbs | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

Where’s the vigour then?

Posted on August 19, 2019 by Helen

When I bought my pond plant in order to oxygenate the water, I was warned that it might take over and I think it is even banned in Ireland because of this. However, I don’t personally see the threat: True, … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, herbs, Pond and bog garden | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments