Sometimes I wonder ‘How many surprises can a single garden harbour?’ Other times I think I should know better than to ask! … More Coreopsis: A vibrant start to a summer of solar dyeing
Have you ever known anyone who keeps a compost diary? Well you do now; virtually at least! Composting is one of the most amazing things about gardening. It’s not the prettiest, or the most fragrant or those most immediately gratifying, but building the structure of your soil is one of the most import and rewarding things you can do as a gardener. I’m no soil expert, but I’ve been gardening long enough to see the … More Compost diaries: Improving soil and gardening for a better world
We’re coming to that time of year when the blog can get sadly neglected and the garden takes over. As I start this post before I forget about it, I should really be preparing the ground for the cucumbers to go out, planting out my tomatoes, potting on seedlings and planting more seeds. I observed this tendency last years when I shared an overview of the garden towards the end of the season in September, … More In the garden growing the stuff of life
Today I’m writing to the soundtrack of a summer thunderstorm. There are sporadic deep grumbles among the more insistent rain and it’s probably only a matter of time before they are joined by crackling flashes of lightning. Why share our inclement weather with you? Well partly because it’s a cause of much excitement here as it means we won’t need to water the garden today, and with luck tomorrow, and because it got me thinking … More How time slips away when you’re in the garden
It’s been a while since I posted regarding my natural dyeing experiments so I thought I’d do a round up of the various colours and shades that I’ve been cooking up over the winter months, in anticipation of, and to clear the decks for, the opportunities that spring will bring. Today I will stick to plant dyeing but will also be sharing some mushroom experiments, (spoiler: variable outcomes but some spectacular pictures!), and some lichen … More A Winter of Natural Plant Dyeing Experiments: Striking Neons, a few cowpats and a surprise