Oak Floor In Manchester

What a busy weekend! 

I'm sure as many of you know I don't like to leave the village unless I have to (managed 6 weeks without leaving it last year at one point).

But sometimes I do - mainly for family. I visit my parents farm quite often, but I'm not so great at going to see my sister who lives in Manchester. She's great at seeing us and spending time with the kids and I'm terrible at going back up there. It is a three hour drive though but I still feel guilty.

With her partner, they've just bought a house and are in the process of doing it up. One area that's having a complete overhaul is the living room, and one thing they really want is an oak floor to set it off.

Not Renting Land Anymore And Where Are The Sheep...

Something I've been putting off writing is how last year, towards the end of the summer, I sold the sheep.

Removing gates and other bits from the rented field

I've been feeling guilty about not blogging about it but also I've not been sure what to write.

Sunny Walk To School

I took this photo on the way to school.

 I take this same photo quite often, the light just seems right as we walk our fast pace to school, the children marching in size order, trying to be first to get to the puddles to jump in, or smash if they're frozen. 

We don't walk to school often enough though, hopefully as my youngest gets older we'll do it more. I love it to clear my head and hear the children talk about things we might not otherwise. 

On a Thursday morning I look after my friends sons as well, the boys had great fun running back home, finding foot prints of different animals and pretending to eat worms. It's lovely seeing two little best friends interact like that. 

I'm truly blessed to live in such a wonderful place and share it with my family and friends. 

Anyhow, enough of the soppy post. 

The Hedge magazine - Issue 10

Loved seeing my article on seed saving in the latest issue of the Hedge magazine. Such a beautiful little magazine to be a little part of.

Apple Trees For Sale

I've got lots of interesting apple trees that I grafted a few years ago to sell.

All grown free from pesticides or any chemicals on a north facing slope so when they get given a bit of love they should romp away!

£12 each plus postage UK Only. Postage will be between £12 - £25 depending on number of trees. I will heavily prune trees for postage, but I always recommend this before planting anyway to give the roots chance to catch up.

Discounts available if having 10 or more trees.

Varieiteis:

Pixie - Small apple but huge flavour - great late eater keep till Janurary

Spartan - Red Skin, white flesh, juicy apple good for making juice. Mid season

George Cave -very early apple - eaten off the tree is lovely. Won't keep.

Orleans Rennit - Said to be one of the nicest tasting apples ever - late season but doesn't keep more than a few weeks.

Annie Elizabeth - Old cooking apple, keeps its shape when cooked - purple blossom when flowering. Sweet - no sugar needed when cooking. Oct - Apr

Sunset - Good alternative to Cox - much easier to grow and still very tasty.

American Mother - Great eater - mid season apple. Great for exposed sites as blossom slightly frost tolerant - I find it a reliable cropper.

Claygate Pearmain - popular Victorian eating apple - late season apple -

Tydemans late orange - great keeper, still good in April - best easten from storage, nice sharp apple.

Blenham orange - vigorous tree - dual purpose, cooker and eater, very popular tree.

Winston - used to be known as Winters king - Eating apple that keeps well,

Brownlees russet - great russeted eating apple.

Happy to answer any questions on here or you can email me through the contact page and I'll get back to you as soon as possible.

Floor To Ceiling Storage

Storage is always an issue with us. We never seem to have enough. 

It's got a whole lot worse since having children. The picture above shows just their craft supplies - one of their favourite activities.

Seed Swap Herefordshire 2019

Yesterday saw another seed swap in the Courtyard in Hereford. 

It was great fun as usual.

This year was a little different for me as I was doing the talk that the seed swap puts on. Each year they put a speaker on to attract more people and to provide some extra interest for those attending, so I was really shocked when they asked me to do it.

I also took my eldest daughter with me
 She had been so excited to come a long and what it was and be a part of it. She was super well behaved all day, really helpful and polite, just a pleasure to have with me.

I did a talk on unusual fruit and vegetables, which is one I've done for a few garden clubs now. It was really well received and people laughed in the right places and I had lots of questions at the end! I've already had a few emails contacting me about it and a booking for another talk in November this year.


I also managed to get a good haul of seeds to try and grow (and a few to give to a few friends that couldn't get there). I'm really pleased to get lots of different tomatoes to try, something I always love growing. Also some seeds for the plant "bath asparagus" which should be fun to try and get growing as another unusual edible.

The seed swap group has also started selling potatoes for the first time. This was great and it's looking like something we'll carry on with in the future. This is great news for me as I picked up four different types of potatoes to try.

I love a good seed swap and I'm lucky to be a part of this one. Trouble is I'm all fired up for growing now and it still feels too early. Maybe get some Chillies in this week...

Anyone else been to a seed swap this year?

Have you started planting anything yet?