School trips to the garden

For the past two mornings, we have had two year 2 classes from our nearby school visiting us for pond dipping, mini-beast hinting, sketching and rabbit/door hunting. The volunteers can manage this, alongside their work, about once a year. Hats off to any teacher who does this everyday! Phew, exhausting. But it is especially good to do some pond dipping in a more structured way.

For the past two mornings, we have had two year 2 classes from our nearby school visiting us for pond dipping, mini-beast hinting, sketching and rabbit/door hunting. The volunteers can manage this, alongside their work, about once a year. Hats off to any teacher who does this everyday! Phew, exhausting. But it is especially good to do some pond dipping in a more structured way.

Our resident frog - he/she was probably a bit cross after being fished out two mornings in a row. We also caught a baby frog in the main pond - this year’s brood?

Our resident frog - he/she was probably a bit cross after being fished out two mornings in a row. We also caught a baby frog in the main pond - this year’s brood?

Very excited to see some baby newts, with their gills still attached. Fished them on both days.

Very excited to see some baby newts, with their gills still attached. Fished them on both days.

Several dragonfly nymphs too - of different sizes/types. And lots of snails and water boatman.

Several dragonfly nymphs too - of different sizes/types. And lots of snails and water boatman.

The mini-beast hunters were rather let down by November weather - and no caterpillars - but we watched white-tailed bumblebees going into their nest and to feed on meadow flowers. And spotted lots of ladybirds and their larvae. Three ‘designs’ of ladybirds here with their ‘ugly big babies’ at the top.

The mini-beast hunters were rather let down by November weather - and no caterpillars - but we watched white-tailed bumblebees going into their nest and to feed on meadow flowers. And spotted lots of ladybirds and their larvae. Three ‘designs’ of ladybirds here with their ‘ugly big babies’ at the top.

We also spent some time digging for worms, snails and woodlice in the compost bins. We found this small grasshopper beastie. A bit out of focus but need to do some homework to find its name.

We also spent some time digging for worms, snails and woodlice in the compost bins. We found this small grasshopper beastie. A bit out of focus but need to do some homework to find its name.

Green roof!

We have a green roof. Or a brown one with some green bits. It includes seven litres of chive plants, donated by Coton Orchard Garden Centre, separated into smaller clumps. Alongside lots of transplants from the garden. It is a bit of an experiment - to see what thrives. We will also seed it with a variety of species that should do well and look good. We are still missing the rainchains - we need to make a trip to Mackays and find some more time. And will plant next to them - including some really good looking Green ginger rosemary from Coton - this afternoon hopefully. It makes a nice change to have some ‘bought plants’, rather than just my little seedlings and wonky cuttings.This is work funded by S106 developer funding, via the communities team at the City Council. Thank you Bridget and Jackie - we are almost there…

We have a green roof. Or a brown one with some green bits. It includes seven litres of chive plants, donated by Coton Orchard Garden Centre, separated into smaller clumps. Alongside lots of transplants from the garden. It is a bit of an experiment - to see what thrives.

We will also seed it with a variety of species that should do well and look good. We are still missing the rainchains - we need to make a trip to Mackays and find some more time. And will plant next to them - including some really good looking Green ginger rosemary from Coton - this afternoon hopefully. It makes a nice change to have some ‘bought plants’, rather than just my little seedlings and wonky cuttings.

This is work funded by S106 developer funding, via the communities team at the City Council. Thank you Bridget and Jackie - we are almost there…

The roof is designed to have high and low parts, for different habitats. It should be great for insects, especially bees. The material is crushed ceramics (basins and loos), brought from a waste processing site in Essex. Thank you Graham - you were a star! The same material, pioneered by John Little for brownfield (open mosaic habitat) gardens - as seen on Gardeners World. It has been used by the City Council Biodiversity team at Bramblefields local nature reserve and has done very well. The City Council want to use more of this substrate around the city. It is low fertility so the more difficult weeds don’t thrive and the pretty ones do well. So it is low maintenance. It shouldn’t need watering - we are waiting for rain - but we have added a porous pipe just in case.We have gravel at the front edge for drainage too. A great partnership with Guy Belcher at the City Council - and always fun to work with him and his team.

The roof is designed to have high and low parts, for different habitats. It should be great for insects, especially bees.

The material is crushed ceramics (basins and loos), brought from a waste processing site in Essex. Thank you Graham - you were a star!

The same material, pioneered by John Little for brownfield (open mosaic habitat) gardens - as seen on Gardeners World. It has been used by the City Council Biodiversity team at Bramblefields local nature reserve and has done very well. The City Council want to use more of this substrate around the city. It is low fertility so the more difficult weeds don’t thrive and the pretty ones do well. So it is low maintenance. It shouldn’t need watering - we are waiting for rain - but we have added a porous pipe just in case.

We have gravel at the front edge for drainage too.

A great partnership with Guy Belcher at the City Council - and always fun to work with him and his team.

We have also used the same materials to make a foot-level green roof in a narrow bed. Dug out by Jennie and Joe - thank you! Scraps of weed membrane and geotextile to keep the big stuff out, covered with crushed ceramics, logs and slate. With some more transplants from the garden - and more chives. This one was watered in, which also makes the slate look nice for photos. The lovely chunks of slate were donated by a local resident when he was moving house and we have been storing them for ages… thank you Tim!

We have also used the same materials to make a foot-level green roof in a narrow bed. Dug out by Jennie and Joe - thank you! Scraps of weed membrane and geotextile to keep the big stuff out, covered with crushed ceramics, logs and slate. With some more transplants from the garden - and more chives. This one was watered in, which also makes the slate look nice for photos. The lovely chunks of slate were donated by a local resident when he was moving house and we have been storing them for ages… thank you Tim!

A view of the roof and garden below… We are hoping the pinks will do well on the roof.

A view of the roof and garden below… We are hoping the pinks will do well on the roof.

The planting team also took the opportunity to take some photos of the garden from the roof - it is looking very fluffy at the moment. Most of the bindweed has been cropped off the photo… faster than weeding it.

The planting team also took the opportunity to take some photos of the garden from the roof - it is looking very fluffy at the moment. Most of the bindweed has been cropped off the photo… faster than weeding it.

Almost solstice...

The weather wasn’t kind enough for a solstice gathering on 21 June but the garden is full of flowers (and long grass) at the moment. Here is one of the two Pictorial Meadow Tuscan Hills perennial meadow beds full of salvias and ox eye daisies. Sown from seed and changing every year and also throughout the year.

The weather wasn’t kind enough for a solstice gathering on 21 June but the garden is full of flowers (and long grass) at the moment. Here is one of the two Pictorial Meadow Tuscan Hills perennial meadow beds full of salvias and ox eye daisies. Sown from seed and changing every year and also throughout the year.

In our gardening session, we planted a grapevine, donated by a local community gardener from a cutting from a neighbour. We hope to at least get a crop of leaves for stuffing. We will grow it along wires and it will make a nice corner boundary for part of our orchard area.

In our gardening session, we planted a grapevine, donated by a local community gardener from a cutting from a neighbour. We hope to at least get a crop of leaves for stuffing. We will grow it along wires and it will make a nice corner boundary for part of our orchard area.

The moth-friendly bed is looking very good. We like a bit of umbellifer action - just wish I could remember what type they are.

The moth-friendly bed is looking very good. We like a bit of umbellifer action - just wish I could remember what type they are.

In the sensory bed, the salvia chosen for their huge soft leaves have erupted into very attractive flowers.

In the sensory bed, the salvia chosen for their huge soft leaves have erupted into very attractive flowers.

Our mowing team is well trained to mow around patches of flowers…

Our mowing team is well trained to mow around patches of flowers…

The tomato bed is looking good this year - starting to flower and even fruit. We have some basil, parsley and some companion marigolds too. And some sunflowers… because we like flowers.

The tomato bed is looking good this year - starting to flower and even fruit. We have some basil, parsley and some companion marigolds too. And some sunflowers… because we like flowers.

We have a courgette and a cucumber plant… but think they need a bit more water.

We have a courgette and a cucumber plant… but think they need a bit more water.

Favourite plant for bees and people - the herb hyssop. It is a stronger blue that the masses of salvia in the garden. And can use it in cooking. Must take some more cuttings…

Favourite plant for bees and people - the herb hyssop. It is a stronger blue that the masses of salvia in the garden. And can use it in cooking. Must take some more cuttings…

One of two most-recently sown Pictorial Meadow perennial beds - Perfect for Pollinators (seems to be discontinued). Last Summer it was mainly blue flax, this year it is quite different - lots of lychnis (pink flower), dianthus (tall red-pink flowers), bedstraw (fluffy pale yellow) and the same purple salvia we have growing in the Tuscan Hills beds. Looking very pretty from the oak bench…

One of two most-recently sown Pictorial Meadow perennial beds - Perfect for Pollinators (seems to be discontinued). Last Summer it was mainly blue flax, this year it is quite different - lots of lychnis (pink flower), dianthus (tall red-pink flowers), bedstraw (fluffy pale yellow) and the same purple salvia we have growing in the Tuscan Hills beds. Looking very pretty from the oak bench…

Our first sown Pictorial Meadows perennial meadow bed. Supposed to be mainly yellow (seems to be discontinued) but has always been more purple and white for us. Bees love the common knapweed (purple flowers). The grasses aren’t supposed to be there but contrast well when they are in flower.

Our first sown Pictorial Meadows perennial meadow bed. Supposed to be mainly yellow (seems to be discontinued) but has always been more purple and white for us. Bees love the common knapweed (purple flowers). The grasses aren’t supposed to be there but contrast well when they are in flower.

Jessica rabbit keeping an eye on the wood pile.

Jessica rabbit keeping an eye on the wood pile.

The nature pond from the back…

The nature pond from the back…

The dye plant bed is looking good - freshly grown woad at the front (for early Autumn harvesting), some types of coreopsis and cosmos in the centre (the plants are still tiny) and a big bank of dyers’ chamomile at the back, which is almost ready for flower harvesting.

The dye plant bed is looking good - freshly grown woad at the front (for early Autumn harvesting), some types of coreopsis and cosmos in the centre (the plants are still tiny) and a big bank of dyers’ chamomile at the back, which is almost ready for flower harvesting.

We finally seem to have a healthy looking rhubarb bed. It is still young so we aren’t harvesting it often. Just enough for one of our regular volunteers to make a small crumble for one. Minimum wage.

We finally seem to have a healthy looking rhubarb bed. It is still young so we aren’t harvesting it often. Just enough for one of our regular volunteers to make a small crumble for one. Minimum wage.

We think this is greater knapweed - self sown in what is supposed to be a dahlia bed (hmmm). Bumble bees love it. Sometimes get three on one flower. Butterflies too, apparently.

We think this is greater knapweed - self sown in what is supposed to be a dahlia bed (hmmm). Bumble bees love it. Sometimes get three on one flower. Butterflies too, apparently.

It's June!

…and the first red hot pokers are out. We have several varieties and they flower at different times.

…and the first red hot pokers are out. We have several varieties and they flower at different times.

We are excited about the globe artichokes and cardoons coming into flower. We don’t even mind the aphids because the ladybirds soon munch them, which means we can find them easily. We like ladybirds.

We are excited about the globe artichokes and cardoons coming into flower. We don’t even mind the aphids because the ladybirds soon munch them, which means we can find them easily. We like ladybirds.

The sweet rocket (Hesperis) is looking a very startling white - here in the specially planted moth and butterfly bed - thanks Lois! It smells good too. Lots of sniffing of flowers yesterday, while we worked. I had never noticed irises were scented before.

The sweet rocket (Hesperis) is looking a very startling white - here in the specially planted moth and butterfly bed - thanks Lois! It smells good too. Lots of sniffing of flowers yesterday, while we worked. I had never noticed irises were scented before.

This is a new plant to the garden - silver sage (Salvia argentea). It is in the sensory bed. Chosen for its soft fluffy texture. The bed has gone a bit wild but I was very pleased to see at least one of the African thistles (Berkheya) has survived - to give a prickly feel to the bed. There should be some scented and tall wafty plants too.

This is a new plant to the garden - silver sage (Salvia argentea). It is in the sensory bed. Chosen for its soft fluffy texture. The bed has gone a bit wild but I was very pleased to see at least one of the African thistles (Berkheya) has survived - to give a prickly feel to the bed. There should be some scented and tall wafty plants too.

This is a fairly new addition - here, it is self sown: woad. It is very dramatic in flower and produces masses of large seeds. We transplanted some plants from one narrow bed to the deeper-rooting dye plant bed but the seeds have germinated in the old, very impoverished bed too. The dye comes from the first year’s leaves and not from the second year’s flowers. We have some baby woad plants to grow in the new dye bed and will try to extract some blue dye from them later in the Summer/Autumn. It requires a bit of chemistry…

This is a fairly new addition - here, it is self sown: woad. It is very dramatic in flower and produces masses of large seeds. We transplanted some plants from one narrow bed to the deeper-rooting dye plant bed but the seeds have germinated in the old, very impoverished bed too. The dye comes from the first year’s leaves and not from the second year’s flowers. We have some baby woad plants to grow in the new dye bed and will try to extract some blue dye from them later in the Summer/Autumn. It requires a bit of chemistry…

We had an emergency session on Saturday (our Friday sessions were rained off). We had almost lost one corner of the garden to thigh-high grass. It is amazing what a difference a shear, mow and weed makes. The long fruit beds look like they might be quite productive this year. A mix of jostaberries (like a blackcurrant crossed with a blueberry - can eat them off the plant), strawberries and some rather rampant raspberries.

We had an emergency session on Saturday (our Friday sessions were rained off). We had almost lost one corner of the garden to thigh-high grass. It is amazing what a difference a shear, mow and weed makes. The long fruit beds look like they might be quite productive this year. A mix of jostaberries (like a blackcurrant crossed with a blueberry - can eat them off the plant), strawberries and some rather rampant raspberries.

And we planted the first 12 winter squash plants. A mix of small and large of all colours and from all over the world including Blue Kuri (small dark), Cha cha, Crown Prince (large grey), Fictor (small ornage onion shape; a gift from Helen at Waterland Organics) , Kabocha (mid-sized green turning to orange; Japanese; a gift from Poling in Wales), Musquee de Provence (large green turning orange; from France), Queensland Blue (large dark green; from Australia), Turks turban (mid-sized knobbly orange and white. We hope they will be happy growing in our fresh garden-made compost. And that the slugs don’t get them.

And we planted the first 12 winter squash plants. A mix of small and large of all colours and from all over the world including Blue Kuri (small dark), Cha cha, Crown Prince (large grey), Fictor (small ornage onion shape; a gift from Helen at Waterland Organics) , Kabocha (mid-sized green turning to orange; Japanese; a gift from Poling in Wales), Musquee de Provence (large green turning orange; from France), Queensland Blue (large dark green; from Australia), Turks turban (mid-sized knobbly orange and white. We hope they will be happy growing in our fresh garden-made compost. And that the slugs don’t get them.

The willow circle is growing well, after its winter haircut. Looking forward to making things with the willow next Winter.

The willow circle is growing well, after its winter haircut. Looking forward to making things with the willow next Winter.

The sown perennial meadow beds are really bulking up and, any minute ,will burst into flower. They look so much better contrasted with short grass.

The sown perennial meadow beds are really bulking up and, any minute ,will burst into flower. They look so much better contrasted with short grass.

The garden is looking good after a mow. Looking forward to planting the green roof later this month.

The garden is looking good after a mow. Looking forward to planting the green roof later this month.

Some of the annual wildflowers starting in the meadow beds. Their seeds are in our garden compost so they come up everywhere. We have to edit them to allow any other plants to survive. Posh weeds.

Some of the annual wildflowers starting in the meadow beds. Their seeds are in our garden compost so they come up everywhere. We have to edit them to allow any other plants to survive. Posh weeds.

Little sunflower

We found this on the veranda today. So lovely! Let us know if it was for anyone/garden in particular.

We found this on the veranda today. So lovely! Let us know if it was for anyone/garden in particular.

We have brought it home to protect it from cold nights. If no-one claims it, we will certainly plant it out in the garden after last frosts, hopefully after, mid-May.

We have brought it home to protect it from cold nights. If no-one claims it, we will certainly plant it out in the garden after last frosts, hopefully after, mid-May.

Happy Easter!

We have had fun decorating the polytunnel for Easter. Here is the biggest chick we have seen - thank-you garden volunteers Immy and Ingrid!

We have had fun decorating the polytunnel for Easter. Here is the biggest chick we have seen - thank-you garden volunteers Immy and Ingrid!

Also in the polytunnel, our Easter tree - branches from the garden in clay from the garden. With some scrap-fabric eggs and garden willow and raffia hoops. We like the way the little easter chickens hang in a ‘I’ve had too much liquor chocolate’ way…

Also in the polytunnel, our Easter tree - branches from the garden in clay from the garden. With some scrap-fabric eggs and garden willow and raffia hoops. We like the way the little easter chickens hang in a ‘I’ve had too much liquor chocolate’ way. Thanks Jill and Peggy for making it.

Just a close-up - this chick is keeping an eye on you!

Just a close-up - this chick is keeping an eye on you!

We also refreshed the outdoor tree. With more willow and raffia thingies and some silly surprises. Thanks Jill and Peggy! Do add any reasonably weather-proof decorations to the tree.

We also refreshed the outdoor tree. With more willow and raffia thingies and some silly surprises. Thanks Jill and Peggy! Do add any reasonably weather-proof decorations to the tree.

My favourite willow and raffia decoration - with a rescued flower from the garden… Thanks Jill.

My favourite willow and raffia decoration - with a rescued flower from the garden… Thanks Jill.

We could have had a ‘chickens on the run’ hunt too.

We could have had a ‘chickens on the run’ hunt too.

We have decorated several of the smaller trees with coloured feathers. A Swedish tradition. And we happened to have a Swedish local resident visit us while we were doing them. How’s about that.

We have decorated several of the smaller trees with coloured feathers. A Swedish tradition. And we happened to have a Swedish local resident visit us while we were doing them. How’s about that.

Some of the feather colours are quite racy.

Some of the feather colours are quite racy.

And remembering Jill’s rabbit Flopsy…

And remembering Jill’s rabbit Flopsy…

Music in the garden… and doctored eyes

Or maybe ‘sound’…. but has been described as ‘very cool’. And it is made from waste wood, donated pre-loved tree stakes and a stash of sash cord - so came in well under budget.

Or maybe ‘sound’…. but has been described as ‘very cool’. And it is made from waste wood, donated pre-loved tree stakes and a stash of sash cord - so came in well under budget.

The mud monster has had a visit from the eye doctor and now has very white googly ones. We hope to invite a nostril doctor next. And we have noticed that our attempts to provide him with a luxuriant planted tail have succumbed to the joy of climbing…

The mud monster has had a visit from the eye doctor and now has very white googly ones. We hope to invite a nostril doctor next. And we have noticed that our attempts to provide him with a luxuriant planted tail have succumbed to the joy of climbing up muddy slopes. We should probably have predicted this. Just as well we didn’t invest a lot of moolah in precious plants (or watering).

Pond hugs... and spawn

From February: Very excited this afternoon when people spotted some ‘cuddling’ frogs… they are quite noisy - and they do lots of splashing.

From February: Very excited this afternoon when people spotted some ‘cuddling’ frogs… they are quite noisy - and they do lots of splashing.

From 9 March: the first frogspawn spotted. And, more excitingly, a lot of frogs laying it. Best seen from over the fence at the back of the pond. And they are noisyy - and very cute. We counted at least 20 little heads peaking out. Please don’t try …

From 9 March: the first frogspawn spotted. And, more excitingly, a lot of frogs laying it. Best seen from over the fence at the back of the pond. And they are noisyy - and very cute. We counted at least 20 little heads peaking out. Please don’t try to look for it inside the pond area - it is slippy and deep. When we are down there, we can lift some into a bucket for viewing but we don’t want it to dry out either. We’d like lots of baby frogs to watch later in the year.

Feeling like a bird

Finally installed our beautifully painted birds on the throne of games. And made a willow nest for ‘someone’ or something… we also have some fine apples and a pear signs now but I forgot to take a photo of them.

Finally installed our beautifully painted birds on the throne of games. And made a willow nest for ‘someone’ or something… we also have some fine apples and a pear signs now but I forgot to take a photo of them.

We have run out of garden willow so this was harvested from a local allotment - four different kinds: Harrison’s, Flanders red, Dicky meadows and another one I will need to look up… all but the Harrison’s were cuttings from the Rock Road Library pub…

We have run out of garden willow so this was harvested from a local allotment - four different kinds: Harrison’s, Flanders red, Dicky meadows and another one I will need to look up… all but the Harrison’s were cuttings from the Rock Road Library public willow art project.

A lovely sunny, warm afternoon to weave a nest - although I think birds are slightly more efficient than me…

A lovely sunny, warm afternoon to weave a nest - although I think birds are slightly more efficient than me…

We also took cuttings from the two strongest growing willows to add to those growing around the pond. We are hoping we can have a living fence soon for when the hazel finally fails.