Nostr notes by Broadfork

I’d seen various things advocating the more diversity of cover ...

2024-09-27T13:46:00Z

In reply to nevent1q…2au5
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I’d seen various things advocating the more diversity of cover crops, the better. From my limited experience using them the more the merrier approach does work well.

Most of my field beans will probably become muntjac winter feed but they are the latest cover crop/green manure I can sow with a chance of lasting all but the harshest of our winters.

Most others be killed off by the frosts and provide more biomass to feed the soil biology. The ryegrass, field beans and mustard will make it through to spring in some fashion to be chopped and dropped, cover killed or composted.

It is a gem of a place and it does show what can be done on poor ...

2024-09-27T12:52:10Z

In reply to nevent1q…a3py
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It is a gem of a place and it does show what can be done on poor soil and without animal manures.

Although no dig and green manures do a brilliant job suppressing them, I do want weeds around, particularly in early spring for their value for pollinators.

I try to use as many cover crops/green manures as I can in the mix for biodiversity and variations in root depths and leaf sizes, heights and shapes.

For autumn/winter I’ll have ryegrass, crimson clover, winter tares vetch, forage pea, winter spinach, mustard sown August/September and field beans sown late October. Winter oats too but I didn’t have any seed this year.

In spring or early summer I can add buckwheat, alfalfa, bird’s foot trefoil, white clover, red clover, fenugreek, fodder radish and phacelia.

I really should chop and drop more than I do. It certainly works ...

2024-09-26T22:14:47Z

In reply to nevent1q…a87w
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I really should chop and drop more than I do. It certainly works and it’s much easier than composting it all. It must be less wasteful too with more organic matter going back in the soil.

I rewatched a tour of Ian Tolhurst’s veganic farm recently and he is big on chop and drop.

https://youtu.be/b6yzLKd3xXs?si=NawTalP_B4DBVwZ_

The weather was so good getting the beds ready and sown with green manures and it’s rained ever since.

I was at the plot briefly today but the water running down the hill was ridiculous. Having bare soil is just daft.

We’ve had a lot more than a month’s rain just this last week. ...

2024-09-26T21:07:55Z

In reply to nevent1q…w6rx
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We’ve had a lot more than a month’s rain just this last week. There’s localised flooding in the expected, usual places but it’s way too early into autumn for them to already be like that.

The lower plots on our site are waterlogged but the old compost plot is bearing up better, so far. My plot is doing fine, it copes with these extremes pretty well, much better than most.

We’re still in early teens °C so it’s still good growing weather for the things that can cope with the shrinking daylight hours.

The green manures are coming up nicely on the beds. The hay mulch ...

2024-09-26T19:27:44Z

The green manures are coming up nicely on the beds. The hay mulch has helped protect the soil from erosion by the heavy autumn rains. Half the beds were mulched with dried hay and grass and the others with compost.

#NoDig #GreenManures #NoBareSoil #Mulch #Compost #Allotment #Gardening #SoilHealth

Nice result, a long time in the making. Plenty of people ...

2024-09-26T18:23:39Z

In reply to nevent1q…q948
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Nice result, a long time in the making.

Plenty of people wouldn’t have thought to dig that hole and have a look. It’s often the easiest way to find answers about your soil issues.

Likewise, a month’s worth of rain in little over 24 hours ...

2024-09-26T17:57:09Z

In reply to nevent1q…jpqc
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Likewise, a month’s worth of rain in little over 24 hours earlier this week.

Go for it! and good luck with your plot.

2024-09-26T17:37:56Z

In reply to nevent1q…kyk5
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Go for it! and good luck with your plot.

I’ve been banging my head against this sort of thing for a ...

2024-09-23T10:06:31Z

In reply to nevent1q…s7hh
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I’ve been banging my head against this sort of thing for a while. Much of the behaviour is habitual and generational.

Not a hard sell here so plant some trees and some hedge for me. ...

2024-09-23T08:38:15Z

In reply to nevent1q…68r9
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Not a hard sell here so plant some trees and some hedge for me. Thanks for all you do.

This is the only sort of hedge fund I’m here for! Good luck ...

2024-09-23T08:32:27Z

In reply to nevent1q…rwrq
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This is the only sort of hedge fund I’m here for! Good luck with the fundraising.

That does sound much more hospitable. Just having somewhere warm ...

2024-09-23T08:17:28Z

In reply to nevent1q…7h7s
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That does sound much more hospitable. Just having somewhere warm will help during the colder days.

That’s quite the selection you’ve been able to photograph, ...

2024-09-23T07:21:37Z

In reply to nevent1q…90e6
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That’s quite the selection you’ve been able to photograph, awesome!

I use ivory and can enable notifications to ensure certain ...

2024-09-23T07:16:04Z

In reply to nevent1q…7fu2
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I use ivory and can enable notifications to ensure certain people’s toots appear in my notifications timeline.

I don’t know if that’s possible in the app you are using.

I use filters to modify my feed a bit. Sometimes I just like to come here to relax. To do that I often have to shut a lot out or I stick to my tried and trusted, safe hashtags.

Nice bike shed and tool shed you have there. That should make ...

2024-09-20T22:52:01Z

In reply to nevent1q…6fws
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Nice bike shed and tool shed you have there. That should make life a little easier and more comfortable at the market garden.

Such is life. Their batteries need recharging little and often. ...

2024-09-20T22:30:01Z

In reply to nevent1q…f2yl
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Such is life. Their batteries need recharging little and often. #DogsOfMastodon

If you can’t curate your home feed better to your wishes with ...

2024-09-20T22:16:50Z

In reply to nevent1q…kpmu
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If you can’t curate your home feed better to your wishes with filters the only thing I can recommend is viewing mastodon through searchable hashtags for the content you enjoy.

That would reduce your exposure to the political toots. They were more often respectfully behind CW’s or used with easily filtered hashtags when I first joined mastodon. The platform was a better place for me also because of that. Sadly, I don’t think the genie will ever fit back in that bottle.

I am very much here for your ecology and butterfly pics with their alt text delights. I hope you can find a way to better appreciate (or cherry pick) mastodon for all the good things you can find on here.

It’s a blue banana squash from realseeds.co.uk . Very tasty but ...

2024-09-18T21:20:38Z

In reply to nevent1q…pfxl
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It’s a blue banana squash from realseeds.co.uk . Very tasty but rare.

Yes the broad and field beans will easily push through a mulch ...

2024-09-18T21:16:42Z

In reply to nevent1q…zepf
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Yes the broad and field beans will easily push through a mulch layer thicker than this. The layer I’ve put on is just enough to cover the surface.

It’ll help to prevent wind and rain erosion, feed some of the soil biology and help regulate the moisture and temperature of the soil.

The westerwolths, broadleaf clover, tilney mustard and crimson ...

2024-09-18T04:40:43Z

In reply to nevent1q…rku2
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The westerwolths, broadleaf clover, tilney mustard and crimson clover were bought as a mix.

The rest bought separately. I add as many green manures as can grow for the time of year. The more diverse the mix the better.

I have a real love hate relationship with spiders.

2024-09-18T04:21:27Z

In reply to nevent1q…42a2
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I have a real love hate relationship with spiders.

Italian ryegrass, crimson clover, forage pea, winter tares vetch ...

2024-09-18T04:19:22Z

In reply to nevent1q…f6pr
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Italian ryegrass, crimson clover, forage pea, winter tares vetch and white mustard mostly. With a smaller amount of winter spinach, broadleaf clover, westerwolths rye, daikon radish, forage rye.

Some garden relaxation time. #DogsOfMastodon ...

2024-09-18T04:10:58Z

Some garden relaxation time. #DogsOfMastodon

Glorious. 😍 The full moon’s not visible here. It’s totally ...

2024-09-18T04:01:47Z

In reply to nevent1q…7k92
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Glorious. 😍 The full moon’s not visible here. It’s totally and utterly clouded in.

Making progress with the growing beds. Harvesting, clearing, ...

2024-09-18T03:57:49Z

Making progress with the growing beds. Harvesting, clearing, finding the paths again and sowing green manures.
#NoDig #Compost #Mulch #Gardening #Allotment #SoilHealth #NoBareSoil

Thanks once again for showing your growing season. So many ...

2024-09-18T03:17:14Z

In reply to nevent1q…6yk4
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Thanks once again for showing your growing season. So many similarities to here yet so many differences.

Our growing season is longer but so much slower in comparison. In a mild winter I can grow something outdoors all year round provided it’s sown or planted early enough to get started.

Good luck with the composting. The most underrated yet important activity in the growing year.

I’ll cover these beds with a hay mulch now and direct sow beans ...

2024-09-17T02:11:55Z

In reply to nevent1q…eney
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I’ll cover these beds with a hay mulch now and direct sow beans into that towards the end of October/early November depending on the temperatures. If we have a mild autumn I’ll sow the beans as late as I can.

I want the wintering bean plants to be subjected to their first frosts when they are still small to give them a better chance of surviving the winter well.

I’ll add mown leaf litter to the surface of the beds too this autumn/winter. The woms will pull it down into the soil.

You caught it well. Sunset’s at 19.14 here tomorrow. Autumn ...

2024-09-16T19:56:51Z

In reply to nevent1q…sw8d
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You caught it well. Sunset’s at 19.14 here tomorrow. Autumn equinox is on Sunday. I don’t like to see the sun leaving us so soon.

Fungi in the garden. #Mushtodon ...

2024-09-16T18:21:09Z

Fungi in the garden. #Mushtodon

Beds ready for direct sowing the broad beans and field beans in ...

2024-09-16T18:16:18Z

Beds ready for direct sowing the broad beans and field beans in late October. #NoDig #Compost #Mulch #GreenManures #Gardening #Allotment

Happy Birthday!

2024-09-16T18:05:58Z

In reply to nevent1q…j33k
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Happy Birthday!

Chasing shadows. Normal behaviour is resumed. #DogsOfMastodon ...

2024-09-13T15:45:24Z

Chasing shadows. Normal behaviour is resumed. #DogsOfMastodon

More window gazing from afar. He’s negotiated the huge ...

2024-09-13T08:49:15Z

More window gazing from afar. He’s negotiated the huge excitement of bin day without doing himself a mischief.

He knows there’s still one more bin to go. #DogsOfMastodon

Beautiful red admiral on the buddleia this morning. I really was ...

2024-09-13T08:38:35Z

Beautiful red admiral on the buddleia this morning. I really was starting to wonder if I’d see this sight this year. #Gardening #Pollinators #RestoreNatureNow

Lots of bumblebees were out and about making good use of the time ...

2024-09-12T15:27:07Z

Lots of bumblebees were out and about making good use of the time in between the showers. #Gardening #BloomScrolling #Bees #Pollinators

Much more himself today touch wood. Hoping it continues that ...

2024-09-12T07:59:31Z

Much more himself today *touch wood*. Hoping it continues that way.
#DogsOfMastodon

Poor lad had shaky back legs this afternoon and another vet trip. ...

2024-09-11T19:14:55Z

Poor lad had shaky back legs this afternoon and another vet trip. He’s on a course of anti-inflammatories, x-rays next week if he doesn’t improve. He’s not a happy chap but is resting. #DogsOfMastodon

It was dry for a change so I made a start on prepping some of the ...

2024-09-09T18:16:15Z

It was dry for a change so I made a start on prepping some of the allotment beds for next year.

#NoDig #Compost #Compostodon #Mulch #GreenManures #CoverCrops #NoBareSoil #SoilHealth #Gardening #Allotment

Nice to see you again. Those are some weird looking beans.

2024-09-09T17:19:45Z

In reply to nevent1q…00y6
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Nice to see you again. Those are some weird looking beans.

I had an hours wildlife spotting in the garden earlier. We had a ...

2024-09-07T21:22:23Z

I had an hours wildlife spotting in the garden earlier. We had a rare visit from a sparrow hawk. A couple of greenfinches put in an even rarer appearance too.

I rescued a large white butterfly from inevitably ending up in a spider web’s clutches inside. It repaid me by staying quite a while on my finger after I’d uncupped my hands to let it fly free onto some nearby verbena.

Various bumblebees and solitary bees are active in the garden once again. #Gardening #Pollinators #Bees

The link wasn’t complete so re-tooted. It makes very scary ...

2024-09-07T20:15:11Z

In reply to nevent1q…ccdc
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The link wasn’t complete so re-tooted. It makes very scary reading.

https://www.sciencealert.com/60-of-earths-food-crops-arent-being-visited-by-enough-pollinators

Yes, this is beyond urgent. #ClimateDiary #ClimateEmergency #ClimateAction #Pollinators

I always feel better for having had my hands in soil. Garden soil ...

2024-09-07T19:21:29Z

In reply to nevent1q…h85l
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I always feel better for having had my hands in soil.

Garden soil bacteria transiently colonise gardeners’ skin after direct soil contact (Mhuireach et al 2023).

https://acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/uar2.20035

“This study represents one of the very first investigations of garden soil microbiomes and, to our knowledge, the only one that explores the ability of soil microbes to transfer and persist on human skin after typical gardening activities.”

“Some soil microbes appeared to transfer onto skin during direct contact with soil, but they were generally gone within 12 h, suggesting a low ability to permanently colonize skin. However, a daily gardening routine with repeated and extended contact with soil likely reinoculates the skin such that soil microbes are often present, holding potential to impact health. The results of this study may be of interest not only to hobby gardeners, but also to market growers and other agricultural producers, and to society at large.”

#SoilHealth #HumanHealth

The daylight hours are shortening. I’m now used to this daily ...

2024-09-06T04:18:55Z

The daylight hours are shortening. I’m now used to this daily mileage but lots of walking in the dark is not my bag so this is likely my walking peak.

Nicely done, another bountiful year for you and your neighbours.

2024-09-06T03:45:00Z

In reply to nevent1q…fc0l
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Nicely done, another bountiful year for you and your neighbours.

This winter’s muntjac fence (broad bean protection) is in place ...

2024-09-04T22:46:46Z

This winter’s muntjac fence (broad bean protection) is in place having moved it a couple of beds along.

I’ll cover these beds with a compost and hay mulch. Broad beans will go in, in late autumn.

#NoDig #Mulch #Gardening #Allotment #GreenManures #CoverCrops #NoBareSoil

Good to hear you have had some respite at last.

2024-09-03T17:43:46Z

In reply to nevent1q…wrur
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Good to hear you have had some respite at last.

Our local council no longer strim the grass verges several times ...

2024-09-03T17:35:28Z

Our local council no longer strim the grass verges several times a year. It makes a nice change to walk alongside emerging wildflowers than just seeing short grass everywhere.

#RestoreNatureNow #Wildflowers #ClimateAction #PollinatorsWelcomeHere

It’s been a good year for greens and beans. The squash need a ...

2024-09-03T01:54:53Z

It’s been a good year for greens and beans. The squash need a bit more time. #GrowYourOwn #NoDig #Gardening #Allotment #Mulch

The first of next year’s black gold in the making. #Compost ...

2024-09-03T01:36:13Z

The first of next year’s black gold in the making. #Compost #Compostodon #Mulch #NoDig

Autumn is here. #BloomScrolling #FlowersOfMastodon ...

2024-09-03T01:21:52Z

Autumn is here. #BloomScrolling #FlowersOfMastodon

How to do it - Using a refractometer. Graeme Sait has so much ...

2024-08-30T08:26:47Z

How to do it - Using a refractometer.

Graeme Sait has so much good, practical information on this channel. Well worth a look if you’re interested in increasing your soil biology and soil health.

#SoilHealth #SoilBiology #Gardening

https://youtu.be/O2MpgSo3UAc?si=uR-qwZHpRHZNv6QF

Good news today. The Labour govt will NOT defend the Tory ...

2024-08-29T09:11:56Z

Good news today. The Labour govt will NOT defend the Tory govt’s decision to approve the #Rosebank oil field in court. Equinor and the regulator NSTA may still do so. Even so today’s developments make it more likely the decision to approve the oilfield will be ruled unlawful.

The #StopRosebank campaign is taking the UK government to court for approving the climate-wrecking Rosebank oil field - the biggest untapped oil field in the UK! I’ve asked that the case be put forward in my name.

Scientists have warned global leaders time and time again that governments can't allow any more new oil and gas if we want to limit global warming to 1.5C. Adding new reserves, like Rosebank, will push us closer to more parts of our world becoming uninhabitable. It would bust climate targets, undermining the government’s climate commitments.

Can you tell the Government that this case is also in your name here? https://www.stopcambo.org.uk/p/courtcase?source=email&;

#StopRosebank #KeepItInTheGround #EndFossilFuels #ClimateAction

The rudbeckia are putting on a good show this morning. ...

2024-08-29T05:19:58Z

The rudbeckia are putting on a good show this morning. #BloomScrolling #Flowers #Gardening

That is a great service and at an incredibly good price. We ...

2024-08-28T16:54:20Z

In reply to nevent1q…5zay
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That is a great service and at an incredibly good price.

We can’t buy any compost made from green waste by our local authority. It mostly all goes to local farmers.

People have been quite complimentary lately. I’m happy with ...

2024-08-28T14:22:02Z

In reply to nevent1q…jwd4
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People have been quite complimentary lately. I’m happy with that.

Thanks, it’s been worthwhile to show people good compost can be ...

2024-08-28T14:03:06Z

In reply to nevent1q…9wm8
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Thanks, it’s been worthwhile to show people good compost can be made for free.

The communal compost venture is finished. All the compost has ...

2024-08-27T18:16:55Z

The communal compost venture is finished. All the compost has been shared out and the windrows of partially composted material have been spread out to break down and keep the soil biology fed over autumn and winter.

Whoever becomes its new tenant will be taking on a productive growing space for next year.

#Gardening #Allotment #Compost #Compostodon #Mulch #SoilHealth

I love these, aptly named autumn joy. #Florespondence #Gardening ...

2024-08-26T15:18:36Z

I love these, aptly named autumn joy. #Florespondence #Gardening #FlowersOfMastodon #BloomScrolling

#SilentSunday #DogsOfMastodon ...

2024-08-25T15:10:51Z

#SilentSunday #DogsOfMastodon

That’s good. It is important to enjoy the space you’ve ...

2024-08-21T08:12:40Z

In reply to nevent1q…hrxf
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That’s good. It is important to enjoy the space you’ve created and take time out in it.

I am getting better at reminding myself the garden is somewhere to slow down and relax in.

Nicely done. It looks like you’ve had another great growing ...

2024-08-21T06:59:21Z

In reply to nevent1q…3s59
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Nicely done. It looks like you’ve had another great growing year.

Another compost pile built. There’s one last weekend of ...

2024-08-20T22:09:53Z

Another compost pile built. There’s one last weekend of compostable material donations to come and that’ll be almost it for this project. I’m calling it a day.

The current windrow and pile will be spread as a mulching compost in September. The communal compost plot will most likely be let to someone in October.

#Compost #Compostodon #Mulch #NoDig

It looks great. Gardens are a strangely personal thing but are ...

2024-08-20T21:34:26Z

In reply to nevent1q…8lx9
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It looks great. Gardens are a strangely personal thing but are also great to share. No two are the same but they all must convey a similar range of emotions to their owners.

I almost hate the garden at this time of year because nearly all of my favourite plants are gone over. I can’t keep on top of it but it’s still a much needed relaxing space.

You have made for yourself a quite glorious garden refuge. ...

2024-08-20T21:09:14Z

In reply to nevent1q…7gha
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You have made for yourself a quite glorious garden refuge. Fabulous.

Thanks, I was really hoping to have far more compost to share ...

2024-08-18T21:02:12Z

In reply to nevent1q…80dz
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Thanks, I was really hoping to have far more compost to share around but it is what it is. I’ve made 20 compost piles since March. A handful of them with help from others.

Each pile of hot compost has resulted in approximately three wheelbarrow loads of compost (one load sieved fine, two of mulching).

Most of the mulching compost has been laid on this plot to build the level up and help prevent it water logging over autumn and winter.

The sieved compost won’t go far when it’s shared out but hopefully people will now think about making some or more of their own.

#Compost #Compostodon #Mulch #NoDig #Allotment

A lot of conversations on climate induce uncomfortable silences. ...

2024-08-18T19:42:15Z

In reply to nevent1q…v535
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A lot of conversations on climate induce uncomfortable silences. Usually followed by people mostly carrying on the same as normal.

We humans are a very stupid, selfish and short sighted species.

So that’s why it’s called New England! 😂

2024-08-18T19:04:16Z

In reply to nevent1q…mmk8
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So that’s why it’s called New England! 😂

Your plot is so productive. I don’t know where you put all that ...

2024-08-18T02:49:29Z

In reply to nevent1q…lx62
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Your plot is so productive. I don’t know where you put all that corn but fair play. Your neighbours are very lucky people.

I just know from looking that soil underneath will be in ...

2024-08-18T02:42:24Z

In reply to nevent1q…0gxu
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I just know from looking that soil underneath will be in beautiful condition. Productive too with garlic, onions, beans and leeks from the bed.

Looks great. I love seeing covered soil and you’ve all that comfrey to mulch with whenever you want.

I chop and drop comfrey a few times each year here after it’s flowered. If I need extra mulch I’ll cut some areas of it more often.

Wonderful plant to have for pollinators, for liquid fertiliser, mulching and it’s great in the compost heap.

Looks fabulous. It’s the garden where Darwin would have studied ...

2024-08-16T19:20:23Z

In reply to nevent1q…4cn9
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Looks fabulous. It’s the garden where Darwin would have studied earthworms with his children. His last and biggest selling book was the snappily titled “The Formation of Vegetable Mould, Through the Action of Worms.” (1881).

https://www.nypl.org/blog/2012/04/19/earthworms-darwins-last-manuscript?ref=onedirectory.com#

My brother drove a 600 mile round trip to visit. He didn’t need ...

2024-08-16T04:44:02Z

My brother drove a 600 mile round trip to visit. He didn’t need to clean any splattered insects off his windscreen when he got home.

Reminded of that cartoon by Jeffrey Rubel. #ClimateDiary

I use this home made trommel to sieve my compost. There are many ...

2024-08-15T18:22:02Z

In reply to nevent1q…yql9
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I use this home made trommel to sieve my compost.

There are many more advanced trommel ideas and designs out there but this one is quick and straightforward to use for me.

Thanks, I hope it’s encouraged more people to go on to make ...

2024-08-15T18:07:32Z

In reply to nevent1q…xjdj
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Thanks, I hope it’s encouraged more people to go on to make their own compost.

The plot is in a much better condition than it was so it should have no problem being taken on by someone come October.

The communal compost is sieved and will be available for plot ...

2024-08-15T15:55:05Z

The communal compost is sieved and will be available for plot holders on our site at the end of the month. #Compost #Compostodon #GrowYourOwn #Mulch #NoDig

An allotment harvest. The tomatoes have been well worth the wait, ...

2024-08-09T14:44:40Z

An allotment harvest. The tomatoes have been well worth the wait, they are delicious. #Gardening #GrowYourOwn #Allotment

The difference mulch can make. The ambient air temperature today ...

2024-07-30T20:58:47Z

The difference mulch can make. The ambient air temperature today was 30°C. #NoDig #Mulch #SoilHealth #Gardening #Allotment

Heat and heavy rainfall, New England sounds almost tropical. You ...

2024-07-07T15:22:25Z

In reply to nevent1q…5u6j
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Heat and heavy rainfall, New England sounds almost tropical.

You would find it hard to believe how slow growing everything is around here. We’re back to rainy days and temperatures struggling to get in the high teens °C.

A local sycamore tree had to come down so we had a delivery of ...

2024-06-24T20:03:22Z

A local sycamore tree had to come down so we had a delivery of some mulch from our friendly tree surgeon today. #Compost #Compostodon #Mulch #GreenManures #Gardening #Allotment