Tag Archives: soil

A forgotten pocket

Posted on March 16, 2019 by Helen

Over the winter at Old Sleningford Farm, we cleared an area of dead vegetation. I asked if I could keep some of the seed heads for my garden and put them in my jacket pocket. Then I didn’t wear the … Continue reading →

Posted in Pond and bog garden, soil management | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Carbon sequestration and compost

Posted on December 20, 2018 by Helen

I could have been wrapping Christmas presents but with my half day’s annual leave I decided to take advantage of a lull in the rain – the sun even came out! – to get out in the garden. Years ago, … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, soil management | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Another project – a slightly raised bed

Posted on December 10, 2018 by Helen

You might wonder why I’ve embarked on another project when the pond is as yet waiting upon completion. Well, this new project ties into the whole because I need to do something with the soil mountain which has piled up … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Permaculture | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Citizen Science: Sensing the world

Posted on March 29, 2018 by Helen

Last year, I did a MOOC through Future Learn about soil. It was a project run by the Grow Observatory and while participants learned about their soil, the organisation gathered data to help understand soil profiles in Europe. Now, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Permaculture | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Carbon capture and a robin

Posted on January 8, 2018 by Helen

It is being said that this winter is quite mild. I’m not sure I agree. There seems to have been a lot more frost and day time temperatures seem lower than I’m used to. Not that I’m complaining. It’s great … Continue reading →

Posted in Days out, Permaculture, Wildlife | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

A new year, new month, new week, new day

Posted on January 1, 2018 by Helen

This morning, we were at a youth hostel near Hexham. I enjoyed the few days away but as always I was happy to be coming home. Not least, I was eager to start 2018 by getting on with my to-do … Continue reading →

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

Citizen Science: Grow Observatory

Posted on May 9, 2017 by Helen

Through the Permaculture Association newsletter a few months ago I came across a MOOC which looked interesting. So, I signed up to the course, which is being conducted by the University of Dundee, looking at soil. The Grow Observatory is … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Permaculture | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Herb bed extension

Posted on February 20, 2017 by Helen

A few years ago, whilst making a trench in the back garden, I came across an empty crisp packet from when the house was being built. Somehow it felt a bit creepy, even though the design of the packets hadn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Permaculture | Tagged , , | 18 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 , , | 2 Comments

Disappointments and delights

Posted on July 3, 2015 by Helen

Really, I don’t think the fact that the new greenhouse cover has already torn should come as a surprise, but when I got home this evening and noticed the damage I was disappointment, nonetheless. It was also a disappointment that, … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, In the kitchen | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments