Dig It Plant It Prune it

14/03/2026

I am very excited that I have completed and passed my ISEP (IEMA) Foundation Certificate In Environmental Management.

14/03/2026

I am Carbon Lierate

14/03/2026

I am really pleased to announce that I have passed my Carbon Literacy Training.

02/03/2026

With RHS - Royal Horticultural Society – I just got recognised as one of their top fans! 🎉

27/02/2026

This area of a garden behind an open fronted summer house was a dead space but it is now a vibrant wildlife and insect area which even delivers rhubarb to the table.

27/02/2026

This natural.planting on the edge of the lawn works well. Just one of the gardens we manage.

27/02/2026

The beautiful touch of spring. These were planted in the depths of winter.

12/02/2026

Grow a Secret Reading Nook That Feeds Your Family for Dinner

Stop filling your yard with expensive, plastic playhouses that fade in the sun and eventually end up in a landfill. Instead, grow a structure that changes with the seasons and puts food on your table. As shown in this transformation, a simple bundle of bamboo poles and a packet of seeds can create a lush, architectural hideaway that serves as both a playground and a vegetable garden.

Structure for Strength and Space

To create a roomy interior like the one pictured, you need a wide footprint. Mark out a circle at least 6 to 8 feet in diameter and drive 8–10 tall bamboo poles into the ground, angling them inward to meet at the center. Tie the tops securely with heavy jute or twine. This cone shape is incredibly stable against wind and provides enough height for adults to stand in the center and enough floor space for a bench and a rug.

Choose the Right "Building Material"

The mistake many gardeners make is buying "bush beans," which stay low to the ground. For this project, you must select "pole beans" or runner beans. These varieties are genetically programmed to climb and will race up the bamboo supports within weeks. Plant them heavily around the base of each pole—leaving a gap for the door—and they will weave themselves into a thick, waterproof "roof" of foliage without any extra tying or training.

Create a "Cooling Chamber" for Summer Reading

The inside of a bean teepee is significantly cooler than the surrounding yard. The dense layers of leaves block the direct sun, and the plants naturally release moisture (transpiration), creating a natural air-conditioning effect. By adding a wooden bench and a crate of books, you turn a vegetable patch into a comfortable, shaded sanctuary where kids can read for hours—and reach up to snack on fresh green beans hanging right above their heads.

12/02/2026

I am really pleased that I have completed this part of the skills bootcamp by

Are you a community energy group or a third sector organisation with space for community energy?

Whether you're a leisure centre, community centre, charity with a roof or a voluntary organisation wanting to pursue community energy, this training may be perfect for you.

This training is fully online and takes place on Feb 17 at 9:15am and Feb 24 at 9.15am.

The training is being funded via the North East & Yorkshire Net Zero Hub. For full eligibility criteria follow the link in the comments below.

07/02/2026

Bringing the wood-fired flavor home! This ingenious DIY barrel oven is perfect for those crispy crusts and artisan loaves right in your own backyard.

07/02/2026

Eliminate Muddy Paths Forever with this Sand-Set Flagstone Technique

To create a path that doesn't heave or sink, you cannot simply lay stones on the grass. You must excavate the soil to a depth of four inches. This removes the organic material that decomposes and shifts. Once dug, compact the dirt firmly to create a solid, unchanging subgrade for your new walkway.

The Barrier is Non-Negotiable

As seen in the construction phase, lining the trench with heavy-duty landscape fabric is critical. This geotextile layer serves two purposes. First, it permanently blocks weeds from growing up from the soil below. Second, and more importantly, it prevents your base layer of sand from migrating down into the dirt, which is the primary cause of wavy, uneven paths.

Level with Sand, Not Dirt

Spread a two-inch layer of coarse builder's sand over the fabric. This creates a malleable "bed" for the flagstones. Because natural stone is irregular in thickness, the sand allows you to wiggle and pound each piece until the top surfaces are perfectly flush with one another, forgiving any inconsistencies in the material.

Space for Gravel Drainage

When placing your flagstones, leave wide, two-to-three-inch gaps between them. Instead of using rigid mortar or concrete which cracks with frost heaves, fill these gaps with pea gravel or crushed granite. This creates a permeable surface that allows rainwater to drain instantly back into the ground, keeping your shoes dry and your path puddle-free.

Planting for Soft Edges

To integrate the hard stone into the landscape, plant heavily right up to the gravel edge. Use self-seeding annuals like poppies or cosmos alongside hardy ferns. These plants will spill over the border, softening the harsh lines of the trench and making the walkway feel like it has been there for decades.