Tuesday 6 August

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It seems that every day another box arrives. Today, two extra large ones, both very exciting. Firstly, a biochar kiln, for transforming my coppiced hazel into black gold. Biochar is like charcoal but heated in a particular way so that it forms the perfect honeycomb structure for microbes to inhabit. It also holds moisture in the soil and, after this summer, I can’t help feeling that is more important than ever.

Wonderful, short Radio 4 programme on biochar here which is well worth a listen, as is the rest of the series.

Oh, the second one was more bulbs.

Wednesday 7 August

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A morning of trying to capture the magic of the turning seasons and the abundance of the seed harvest. Matt Austin, genius that he is, photographs and films the best of the fruit and flowers. It even stopped raining long enough to film outside. The upside of Matt coming regularly is that a) I have a tidy up and b) I actually get things done. Whilst the camera was on, I managed to process two huge trays of Echinops seed without even complaining once how prickly it is.

The film will be in Gather on Friday this week. It really is lovely.

When I was brushing seed off the floor and oblivious, Matt took a picture of my washing up.

Thursday 8 September

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Today was allocated for clearing and replanting the summer flower beds. I put off going out by having numerous cups of tea and, as soon as I am ready, the heavens open. I am not too proud to say I called off any form of gardening for the day and just ordered more plants off the internet. (Please see below.)

Friday 9 September

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With my last sweet peas of the year, I attempt flower dyeing. For once, not dyeing with flowers, but trying to turn Piggy Sues a browner shade of blush. I can confirm that they neither like being fed with tea, nor do they take up the colour. In better news, I manage to score three bags of gorgeously scented wood chip from a sawmill. I lay it out to dry for the inaugural bio char burn next week.

Saturday 10 September

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Much of what is written about plant communities and the permaculture principles is about food. I feel like I am reinventing the wheel by trying to work out how to create communities of flowers. I was also abashed to hear that Piet Oudolf thinks that it is unbearably common to create planting schemes around colours because that is exactly what I have done. I am particularly proud of the one called ‘bruise’, although ‘butter, mustard & orange’ inspired by a photo from Aesme is running a close second. If you fancy having a look at how they are coming together, there are Pinterest boards for each here. (Click ‘saved’ to see them.)

Sunday 11 September

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The most spectacular misty morning. The most utterly glorious sunrise.

Like the best mist, reminiscent of late summer gymkhanas and village fetes, it burns off by the end of breakfast time to reveal a big blue sky. Not ideal for all the barrowing of compost into the kitchen garden but I am determined to get my broad beans in on time. It's going to be a hard winter and we will need all the joy we can get in the spring.