Archive | polytunnel gardening RSS feed for this section

What We Do…

15 May

Home made greenhouse at Bealtaine CottageThe idea of not being able to change this world for the better is a nightmare for most people.

Everyone wants a better life and many want a better world. 

Raspberries and Rhubarb in the permaculture gardens at BealtaineDis-empowerment turns us all into victims, feeling trapped and helpless.

Permaculture Gardens of Bealtaine CottageThe solution however can be relatively simple.

Do!

In the Gardens of BealtaineDo something to improve your life or someone else’s life.

It can be as simple as saying “Hello” to an older person, or picking up litter when out for a walk.

Volunteering one day a week in a charity shop, or saving kitchen scraps for the birds.

Planting trees for the future or seed-bombing derelict land.Applemint, Lady's Mantle and Crocosmia

Whatever we do impacts upon our lives, and the world around us.

Generosity of spirit is worth cultivating.

Seedlings at Bealtaine CottageThe Blackbird sings his song regardless of  the weather.

Permaculture Gardens of Bealtaine CottagePlanting a tiny sapling is a small task…sitting under a mighty Oak is heaven…

It is all about what we do!

The No Dig, No Till Garden

24 Apr

Amethyst Horn at Bealtaine CottageBealtaine Cottage is a permaculture smallholding, as followers of this blog know.

In permaculture we mulch, mulch and carry on mulching, building up the soil as we go.Bealtaine Cottage potager bed

Over the past two years I have been creating Potager gardens near the back of the cottage, using stone found on the land to create raised beds.

Bealtaine Cottage making the Potager beds June 2012 005Into these beds I have packed raw wool, compost, ash, leaf mould and shreddings…lots and lots, layer upon layer, of shreddings.

Plants are planted into bottomless pots onto the top of all this, so their roots can spread down deep into the goodness!

Bealtaine Cottage Potager bedThis year has seen the extending of these beds to cover yet more of the gravel.

The most useful tool in the permaculture gardens is the shredder!

Bealtaine Cottage potager beds and BuddhaI pile the shreddings on the soil, wherever there are plants growing, spreading it around the base and everywhere in-between.

Beaten earth floor in ploytunnel at Bealtaine CottageNot only does this suppress the weeds, but it feeds the soil and therefore the plants.

You can see this practice at work here in the tunnel.

April 2013 Permaculture gardens at Bealtaine CottageAfter a few weeks, the shreddings take on the dark look of soil, making it look like the soil has been just tilled…it has not!

permaculture gardens of Bealtaine Cottage, No digCaring for 3 acres, I can assure you that I do not dig and I have no one who helps!

Does it work? …see for yourself.

No sore back and an abundance of food!

Bealtaine Cottage potager gardenA One Day “Create and Grow” Course…

Bealtaine Cottage will be hosting a day long workshop in creating such gardens, during the month of July.

(There will be some rather rustic accommodation for those who may have to travel!)

If you are interested in attending, email me for more details…

Update on the workshop…A massive response has led me to provide three workshops in July…Sat 6th, 13th and 20th.

All are full!

Sorry if you missed this, but I will be running other workshops as the seasons progress.

coletteoneill2010@hotmail.com

Bealtaine Cottage is also on YouTube…with over 85 videos about Permaculture, planting, growing and living.

Over 500 blogs from Bealtaine Cottage in the archives here.

Donations are always welcome.

Thank you!

Thank you for supporting this blog

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 3,484 other followers

%d bloggers like this: