One of the best things about gardening - especially the Wild Way style - is that the winter never feels long. On the contrary the first primroses are already coming into flower and I'm already panicking that it's half way through January and I've no plans made for the year ahead ☺️. One thing I intend to try this year is to grow bush tomatoes in the ground amongst the grasses in our front garden, where it gets lots of direct sun in the summer months (but none at all over the winter). Looking forward to the live Zoom also!
That's so true, I'm already thinking we're running out winter time despite still having a few more months of it up here! :) I like your plan of using a space differently in different seasons, it's true some areas can be full sun in summer and the complete opposite in winter - but it's great to have identified that. See you on the Zoom!
Thanks, Jack.An interesting read and I’m excited about the live zoom! The edible plant communities sounds interesting. I’ll have a more in-depth look at that. I have 2 artichokes I bought with me from my last house.They’re in a pot and have never produced a choke. I need to plant them out, but finding the right space in our north facing garden might be tough (it’s not overlooked at all so we do get sun most of the summer, but very little in winter).
Will look forward to continuing to see how your garden shapes up. I think your conditions will be quite similar to ours in the north of Scotland.
Yeah they’ll struggle unless in the ground in full sun. You might be better to give up on the artichokes and go for crops happier in part shade like rhubarb and kale.
Maybe I’ll see if I can find a space for them in the front garden, which is south facing. Our polytunnel and a row of fruit takes up the majority of the tiny space! I’ve had a lot at your plan and will see what options might work for me. Thanks.
Absolutely all of this! Renovation over replacement. There seems to be this really, can I say, masculine ( or yang!) approach to bringing in material and substrate being about wildlife and therefore diversity. What about soil microbes and fungi? Do they sequester carbon as soil does? There is so much to question but at the moment this is so fashionable and a thoughtful nuanced approach as you propose is not on the table. Brownfield sites and substrate there can be left there for wildlife! This is a great piece
That's an interesting way of putting it about being masculine or yang, it's certainly an old fashioned or consumerist mindset, that there "must be a thing to just buy that will fix problems" when with nature that often doesn't seem to fit. Being more handsoff is better. I think there is a place for them, where ground is already properly destroyed or as a novelty. But as a wildlife garden, it's very short term thinking and lacking true ecological understanding, especially for the climate on these islands, even with global warming.
Yes - it’s lazy but I’ve tried to talk to some, and they have all been men, about this promotion and they’ve been very dismissive and disinterested of the ways you are suggesting. They’ve loved the idea of moving material and leaving it alone, that’s that done. I think I responded to your point with the same lack of nuance!
All sounds fantastic Jack -I'm really looking forward to the live zoom. I've also begun making some edible plant communities and using wild flowers throughout the garden so very interested to hear your updates.
How fun, I can’t wait to follow along! I love the idea of removing some hedge, so that your meadow feels more connected to the garden. Last year I started on a tiny meadow in our backyard of plants native to our region in Canada. I love the thought of replacing lawn with plants that would have originally grown here. It’s been a lot of fun as we have our very first native plant nursery in our area. I’m excited to see growth on the choke berries & high bush cranberry. But, that’s a ways away. Will have to wait till May as spring arrives late here. We’re zone 3b. Lots of snow right now. Everything’s sleeping 😴
Ah, love this Holly. We have family in Penticton so visited that area a couple of years ago and saw some of the local native plants. I love your plan to add some more to your garden. I also love the different seasons really - one of my favourite things is hearing how gardens are different around the world.
One of the best things about gardening - especially the Wild Way style - is that the winter never feels long. On the contrary the first primroses are already coming into flower and I'm already panicking that it's half way through January and I've no plans made for the year ahead ☺️. One thing I intend to try this year is to grow bush tomatoes in the ground amongst the grasses in our front garden, where it gets lots of direct sun in the summer months (but none at all over the winter). Looking forward to the live Zoom also!
That's so true, I'm already thinking we're running out winter time despite still having a few more months of it up here! :) I like your plan of using a space differently in different seasons, it's true some areas can be full sun in summer and the complete opposite in winter - but it's great to have identified that. See you on the Zoom!
Thanks, Jack.An interesting read and I’m excited about the live zoom! The edible plant communities sounds interesting. I’ll have a more in-depth look at that. I have 2 artichokes I bought with me from my last house.They’re in a pot and have never produced a choke. I need to plant them out, but finding the right space in our north facing garden might be tough (it’s not overlooked at all so we do get sun most of the summer, but very little in winter).
Will look forward to continuing to see how your garden shapes up. I think your conditions will be quite similar to ours in the north of Scotland.
Yeah they’ll struggle unless in the ground in full sun. You might be better to give up on the artichokes and go for crops happier in part shade like rhubarb and kale.
Maybe I’ll see if I can find a space for them in the front garden, which is south facing. Our polytunnel and a row of fruit takes up the majority of the tiny space! I’ve had a lot at your plan and will see what options might work for me. Thanks.
Great planning, great ideas!
Absolutely all of this! Renovation over replacement. There seems to be this really, can I say, masculine ( or yang!) approach to bringing in material and substrate being about wildlife and therefore diversity. What about soil microbes and fungi? Do they sequester carbon as soil does? There is so much to question but at the moment this is so fashionable and a thoughtful nuanced approach as you propose is not on the table. Brownfield sites and substrate there can be left there for wildlife! This is a great piece
That's an interesting way of putting it about being masculine or yang, it's certainly an old fashioned or consumerist mindset, that there "must be a thing to just buy that will fix problems" when with nature that often doesn't seem to fit. Being more handsoff is better. I think there is a place for them, where ground is already properly destroyed or as a novelty. But as a wildlife garden, it's very short term thinking and lacking true ecological understanding, especially for the climate on these islands, even with global warming.
Yes - it’s lazy but I’ve tried to talk to some, and they have all been men, about this promotion and they’ve been very dismissive and disinterested of the ways you are suggesting. They’ve loved the idea of moving material and leaving it alone, that’s that done. I think I responded to your point with the same lack of nuance!
It’s certainly is a lot of men that like doing it! Lol I’ve seen a few women promoting the idea too tho.
Ok. Leave it with me. I will think about how to put this!!
All sounds fantastic Jack -I'm really looking forward to the live zoom. I've also begun making some edible plant communities and using wild flowers throughout the garden so very interested to hear your updates.
Fab, likewise, can't wait to hear more about these, they sounds really exciting Linda!
How fun, I can’t wait to follow along! I love the idea of removing some hedge, so that your meadow feels more connected to the garden. Last year I started on a tiny meadow in our backyard of plants native to our region in Canada. I love the thought of replacing lawn with plants that would have originally grown here. It’s been a lot of fun as we have our very first native plant nursery in our area. I’m excited to see growth on the choke berries & high bush cranberry. But, that’s a ways away. Will have to wait till May as spring arrives late here. We’re zone 3b. Lots of snow right now. Everything’s sleeping 😴
Ah, love this Holly. We have family in Penticton so visited that area a couple of years ago and saw some of the local native plants. I love your plan to add some more to your garden. I also love the different seasons really - one of my favourite things is hearing how gardens are different around the world.
Yeah, that starting stage is really interesting. It's going from seed to energy producing plant that can compete that we can help with.