Hello again! I'm almost back from maternity leave, my daughter is now 6 months and is enjoying some time with her nanny. So back to blogging, designing and farming! Winter, for me, is stillness and darkness, a perfect time for dreaming. Of course some of our dreams will be about the coming of warmth and light,... Continue Reading →
Bio-char workshop
Biochar workshop with Richard Self, 23rd October 2016 - Resumé by Kate Daniell The day was a stunner – warm sun, blue skies and no wind. A perfect day for setting things on fire (in a very controlled manner). We were very lucky to have Richard Self, an experienced biochar producer and author of biochar papers,... Continue Reading →
Autumn cleanup
This week, I'm cleaning up my own messy garden and getting it ready for winter. Some areas don't get enough sun to grow any food crops for the next few months, and others just need a spruce up and a bit of compost and fertiliser. I've started by going through with my Niwashi (japanese hand... Continue Reading →
Autumn plans
This afternoon, the sun is warm outside and I'm working with the window open. I want to savour the last few summery days, even though I love the still clarity of autumn too. It took me quite a few years to get used to seasons here, coming from Sweden and France. But by now, I... Continue Reading →
workerBe Oasis update
In only five months, we've done so much! I'm immensely proud of the Gardeners (and others!) who have helped me pull this crazy idea off: grow food in the city and give it to those who really need it. What an accomplishment. We're celebrating all this this Sunday with a big Harvest Picnic. Come along!... Continue Reading →
Tomatos
Mysterious plants, tomatos. We go through all this trouble to make this delicious tropical fruit grow, and then it surprises us by adapting and thriving by itself! This year, I started seed from at least 10 different varieties back in spring. Pricking out, then planting out under cloches... some I planted a little later after... Continue Reading →
Dark Moon
Ever wondered about the stories of the Moons influence on your garden? I have. Here's my thoughts and experiences...
Coming together – Last quarter moon
Last week, wow what a flurry. Managed to support volunteers in double digging almost 30 square meters of bone-hard clay soil at the site - it's not quite the right season for digging clay so that wasn't easy at all. Many thanks & kudos to the volunteers! It is all coming together. Also got some... Continue Reading →
First Quarter Moon, October
Whoosh! That's the sound of spring for me. Not just the speed at which growth suddenly bursts forth, but also the wind. Oh the welly winds... Luckily, my little haven is well protected but my previous garden really wasn't and I feel for all who have a windy garden. Wind breaks is essential, both using... Continue Reading →
New moon, October
So much is happening now it looks like an actual explotion, except it's not destructive but a growth explosion! I got back into my garden after two weeks away and it was covered in chickweed (stellaria media). As I chipped away at it with my beautiful Niwashi tool, the soil underneath was moist and open,... Continue Reading →