Nature Blog by Jenny Bourne

Several years ago I picked mistletoe berries from the abundant bunches growing in the ornamental apple tree at the front entrance to the site. I smeared some of the berries into the cracks…

The logpile at the entrance to the dead hedge and beehive area is now hosting an intriguing white lichen. Lichens are fascinating and to me mysterious and fascinating organisms. When you look closely at a tree branch or a wall covered with different varieties it can seem like a whole eco-system in miniature.

Some good news – the planting of a new tree to commemorate our centenary next year! It’s a crab apple, John Downie with white blossom and red and yellow fruit.

A very sad discovery of this dead hedgehog lying on someone’s plot this Tuesday. Flora and I were both concerned that the animal looked to be in a healthy bodily condition – we thought it might…

Let’s hear it for all those self seeders! At the beginning of this year’s growing season, in spring when we were preparing the plot my partner and I had a ‘discussion’ about the large drifts of limnanthes that I was intent on growing in a prime bean location. Eventually, when they flowered profusely and were covered with humming hoverflies…