Nature Blog by Jenny Bourne

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…

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;
Conspiring with him how to load and bless With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run;

‘We have had an amazing Wasp spider in our lavender for the last month. Whilst apparently very common, we have never seen one before! And she is an amazing sight so I thought I would share…’ (Katie, Plot 63f)

The little front pollinator bed by the entrance is now bursting with plants attractive to pollinators and other insects and whenever I go in there are bees and butterflies foraging on the various flowers. Hindsight being a fine thing…

There’s a new pond on the block! Tracy’s project that was thought through at every stage and took a while to complete, with great attention to different depths and lining to create a splendid wildlife pond