We begin 2013 with a trip to the coast at Cliftonville, Margate. It seems such a waste not to collect as much free fertiliser as we can between tides. Seaweed is almost as good as farmyard manure, although it is lower in phosphates but richer in potash. It is loaded with vitamins and minerals. Slugs don't like the salt but too much salt will kill worms. The farms of Thanet were regularly enriched with cartloads of this free natural resource.
(02/01/2013)

Not much to do other than mulch the soil while everything is dormant. There are plenty of leaves from the massive beech trees just beyond the south wall. I decided to drain the pond to see how much leaf litter it contains. I was careful to keep any wildlife found in the pond so that it could be replaced after the leaves were removed. Each time we tackle something for the first time we gain new experience.
(18/02/2013)

The landscape blanket has been moved to the North of the plot in preparation for work to begin there. In the zone 1 planter miniature daffodils appear. We have eaten the flowers but we have since been advised against doing so.
(28/02/2013)

Daylily is the common name for plants of the genus Hemerocallis. Daylilies are perennial plants and the name alludes to the flowers which typically last no more than 24 hours. The flowers of most species open in early morning and wither during the following night, possibly replaced by another one on the same scape (flower stalk) the next day. Here sprouting through a mulch of seaweed and beech leaves.
(28/02/2013)

While still looking a little desolate after the winter the garden is showing many signs of new green growth. The dead stalks, although tidied away by some gardeners, are left through the winter to provide habitats for wildlife.
(17/03/2013)

Six days into spring.
(26/03/2013)

The frogs have been at it again.
(30/03/2013)

Having pruned the soft fruit trees in February both the pear and the apple trees are showing buds. Here the pear tree.
(01/04/2013)

One of the four apple trees.
(01/04/2013)

Autumn Joy - Sedum Herbstfreude. Edible leaves and flowers. Dry stalks left for insects as winter habitats.
(01/04/2013)

Common sorrel or garden sorrel - Rumex acetosa.
(01/04/2013)

We were offered the "top soil" removed from the bark chipping paths that run around the surrounding estate. Several tons of it. It contains a lot of unwanted stones and other rubbish but offers some valuable soil additive and a lot of physical exercise in processing and transporting it.
(02/04/2013)

A late cold spell freezes the pond water.
(07/04/2013)

A late cold spell leaves a dusting of frost.
(07/04/2013)

Jo Barker brings the sun with her and the garden really starts to come alive again.
(18/04/2013)

Quince krymsk. Selected because it's the only quince that can be eaten raw.
(25/04/2013)

Cherry.
(25/04/2013)

Apple.
(25/04/2013)

Apricot Tomcat.
(25/04/2013)

Wineberries.
(25/04/2013)

Beginning its second year the edible Forest Garden structure is becoming visible.
(29/04/2013)

Winter Nelis pear in blossom.
(06/05/2013)

Quince krymsk with cherry behind and apple in blossom. Elderflower against the wall between the compost bins.
(08/05/2013)

A Jay collecting for nest building. Jays are several species of medium-sized, usually colourful and noisy, passerine birds in the Crow family Corvidae. The names Jay and Magpie are somewhat interchangeable, and the evolutionary relationships are rather complex.
(13/05/2013)

Beth Pear blossom overlooks a flourishing garden.
(13/05/2013)

Small-leaved lime - Tilia cordata. Provides excellent salad leaves. It will be pollarded when approx 5 ft tall.
(13/05/2013)

A Pond Skater shows off his skills. They have specialised legs that are covered by tiny hairs, called microsetae, with small nanogrooves. This is how they use the surface tension of the water. Those microsetae are also used to detect vibrations in the water when hunting prey.
(13/05/2013)

Lungwort - Pulmonaria. Edible flowers and wildlife friendly. The spotted oval leaves were thought to symbolise diseased, ulcerated lungs and so were used to treat pulmonary infections. Here seen growing through wild garlic.
(13/05/2013)

Forget-me-not - Myosotis sylvatica.
(13/05/2013)

Apple.
(13/05/2013)

St Mark's Fly - Bibio Marci. So called because the adults emerge around St. Mark's day, April 25th. A very common, long, shiny black fly which can be found in large numbers during the spring around woodland edges, fields and wetlands. A swarm arrived and seemed to take over the garden for the day.
(13/05/2013)

A local farm has horse stabling. Fresh manure and straw is kindly delivered by John. It will be left to rot down before being used to enrich the soil.
(18/05/2013)

Overview. About a month to the beginning of summer.
(19/05/2013)

Overview. About a month to the beginning of summer.
(19/05/2013)

Overview. About a month to the beginning of summer.
(20/05/2013)

Breakfast from the garden with added chorizo including a pignut garnish.
(20/05/2013)

Breakfast from the garden with marigold and chive.
(21/05/2013)

Jo builds us a bench using found materials. She encourages us to spend time sitting in the garden observing. She suggests seating in various locations so that we can occasionally stop working and enjoy the fruits of our labour.
(22/05/2013)

A table and chairs is allocated for garden use. Jo joins us for a lunch picked from the garden as we sit and enjoy the garden itself.
(22/05/2013)

A unwanted inhabitant. The garden snail - Helix Aspersa. Caught here laying her eggs. Rather than stepping on them, they can be eaten. (http://www.eattheweeds.com/are-slugs-edible-what-about-snails-2.)
(22/05/2013)

Any suggestions?
(22/05/2013)

Quince.
(22/05/2013)

Edible brassica flower.
(22/05/2013)

Ruby Chard. One of the cultivars of chard, which is a leafy green vegetable classified as a chenopod. Its stalk is bright red while there are equally-bright red veins spreading on its green leaves.
(22/05/2013)

Alyssum. Bee friendly.
(22/05/2013)

One of our many frogs. Sometimes it seems that everywhere we try and work there is a frog to be disturbed.
(23/05/2013)

A shower of hail brings work to temporary halt.
(23/05/2013)

Breakfast with chive and garlic chive garnish.
(24/05/2013)

Fennel surrounded by chives and welsh onions.
(25/05/2013)

Golden oregano - Origanum vulgare 'Aureumae'.
(25/05/2013)

Lemon balm - Melissa officinalis. Also known as balm mint. The white flowers attract bees, hence the genus name Melissa (Greek for 'honey bee'). Good ground cover and used in teas and salads.
(25/05/2013)

Buckwheat - Fagopyrum esculentum. Despite the name, buckwheat is not related to wheat, as it is not a grass. Instead, buckwheat is related to sorrel, knotweed, and rhubarb.
(26/05/2013)

Pansies. Edible flowers.
(26/05/2013)

Lupinus, commonly known as lupin. A nitrogen fixer.
(26/05/2013)

Ripening currants.
(26/05/2013)

Strawberry flower.
(26/05/2013)

Poached Egg Plant - Limnanthes douglasii. It attracts hoverflies to the garden to eat the aphids and is well loved by bees.
(26/05/2013)

Angelica. Wildlife friendly.
(26/05/2013)

Bleeding heart - Lamprocapnos spectabilis. Edible flowers.
(26/05/2013)

Gooseberry - Ribes Uva-Crispa.
(27/05/2013)

Lunch.
(31/05/2013)

Poppies and pansies.
(06/06/2013)

Poppies.
(06/06/2013)

Into the second week of summer.
(01/07/2013)

Peach.
(01/07/2013)

The plantings spread to the East as we clear the garden. Paving has been laid down leading to the East gate and, via the steps, towards the South gate. Strong curved border of daylily (edible flowers) and hardy geraniums (edible leaves and flowers).
(02/07/2013)

Common Field Grasshopper - Chorthippus brunneus. Stopped long enough for me to take this shot.
(12/07/2013)

Jerusalem artichoke and Rosa rugosa.
(03/07/2013)

Hardy geranium with edible leaves and flowers.
(03/07/2013)

Phacelia.
(03/07/2013)

Achillea millefolium commonly known as yarrow or common yarrow.
(03/07/2013)

Broad bean. Pick off the tips of the plants to discourage blackfly. The tips are edible raw or steamed. The pea pods can be eaten whole if small and tender.
(04/07/2013)

Lunch.
(11/07/2013)

Where would we all be without these little beauties?
(12/07/2013)

Adding some height to the garden at the convergence of two paths. Left-over fence post shoes and some fence posts from the earlier house build. It will be a structure for climbers to grow up.
(15/07/2013)

Sacks of top soil from a local family digging a pond. It was sourced via 'free-cycle'. This will be mixed with the horse manure and path materials from the estate, before being added to the garden to boost the soil. (www.ilovefreegle.org)
(26/07/2013)

Rosebay Willowherb - Chamerion angustifolium.
(26/07/2013)

Hyssop, Achillea and Fennel. All bee friendly as well as edible.
(26/07/2013)

Compost heap with recycling of the neighbours' guinea pig bedding. A regular weekly delivery which saves them a trip to the tip and helps build our soil.
(26/07/2013)

My bamboo Thai wind chime adds some gentle sound.
(29/07/2013)

Not a bad crop of cooking apples this year.
(29/07/2013)

Jo Barker enters our garden for a Kent Wildlife Award and we are visited by one of the volunteer judges.
(30/07/2013)

The Common Blackbird - Turdus merula. A species of true thrush. It is omnivorous, eating a wide range of insects, earthworms, berries, and fruits. Always around to check the garden if you have disturbed anything. And a beautifully rich melodious song.
(01/08/2013)

Agapanthus africanus - Adds colour and structure to the garden and is great for bees.
(09/08/2013)

I never get tired of this view of the house.
(09/08/2013)

Gage.
(10/08/2013)

Cardoon in flower. Edible fruit at this stage.
(18/08/2013)

The Monk Parakeet, also known as the Quaker Parrot - Myiopsitta monachus. A species of parrot that originates from areas of Argentina and surrounding countries. Self-sustaining feral populations occur in Thanet and a noisy flock gather to feast on the beechnuts that ripen in the huge trees overlooking the garden.
(01/09/2013)

Our first crop of wine berries.
(02/09/2013)

Our first fruit from the Avalon Pride Peach fan.
(03/09/2013)

Hibiscus is a genus of flowering plants in the mallow family with an edible flower. Makes delicious tea.
(04/09/2013)

Apples ripening nicely.
(05/09/2013)

(See 11/03/2012). The logs previously impregnated with mycelium spores of Shitake mushrooms are uncovered and 'shocked'. Soaking in iced water is recommended but I bang them hard on a solid surface to simulate falling from a tree. They are left against the South wall in the shade.
(09/09/2013)

Fruiting quince. Edible raw.
(28/09/2013)

(See 11/03/2012 & 09/09/2013). Our first Shitake mushroom.
(01/10/2013)

One of the very few pears we managed to harvest this year.
(01/10/2013)

Some of our apple crop.
(01/10/2013)

Three weeks before autumn kicks in.
(01/10/2013)

An early morning sea mist highlights this splendid web.
(07/10/2013)

Mahonia aquifolium - Oregon-grape.
(08/10/2013)

Cob nut tree.
(08/10/2013)

The last of the pear crop for this year.
(11/10/2013)

We left the grapes to ripen a little longer this year.
(14/10/2013)

Without even planting potatoes we managed to find quite a crop. Presumably seeded from last year. The taste of home grown spuds is very special.
(16/10/2013)

There is always something in the garden to eat. No matter what time of year. (The mushroom and rice were bought).
(20/10/2013)