Keep us informed in the Homesteading forum Wander, it would be good to follow along with your growing year, what you plant etc 
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Took a trip down to a small cant I finished with in December. Spring might have not arrived exactly but it certainly looks like it on its way with the first bluebells coming up.
Landowner says that as long as they have owned it they have only ever seen one of two because it was so overstood. Proof if any is needed to just one of the many benefits of coppicing!
Landowner says that as long as they have owned it they have only ever seen one of two because it was so overstood. Proof if any is needed to just one of the many benefits of coppicing!
Attachments
Green,
Birds singing in the morning,
Green,
Longer days,
Green,
Sitting out in sunshine with a coffee between jobs,
Oh, and did I mention Green?
Birds singing in the morning,
Green,
Longer days,
Green,
Sitting out in sunshine with a coffee between jobs,
Oh, and did I mention Green?
We could have a long discussion on this (separate thread) but are you sure you have not lost any species by letting the light in? It's a 'speciesist' action that is not necessarily the best thing for the environment. Like I said - another thread
We could have a long discussion on this (separate thread) but are you sure you have not lost any species by letting the light in? It's a 'speciesist' action that is not necessarily the best thing for the environment. Like I said - another thread
The cant was only small (less that 80m square) and was part of an ongoing management plan which had been drawn up by the estate with the assistance of the Kent Wildlife Trust (who I had worked with for a year as a full time volunteer). The wood had been neglected and hadn't seen any coppicing for at least 50 years so there was practically no light getting to the woodland floor, lots of bramble that that was about it.
The plan is set over a 25 year period and is a process of gradually re-establishing the coppice cycle using small cants which will create varying habitats at different stages of maturity, providing a home and the right conditions for a number of species of both flora and fauna.
I do agree that in certain cases coppicing is not the right answer (for example letting light in too quickly to a woodland pond), but in my experience the benefits are vast and many (just ask any ecologist...) but as you say that is for another thread.
Can't wait to get out and tap a maple or a birch, them planting a few trees ( maybe like 50 to 100 this year) and when I get to it - finishing the house! That would be awesome. But first things first, still freezing cold with snow here... but the days are longer.
We could have a long discussion on this (separate thread) but are you sure you have not lost any species by letting the light in? It's a 'speciesist' action that is not necessarily the best thing for the environment. Like I said - another thread
Patchwork habitats are usually the richest. Destruction in any form creates space for something and small scale, thoughtful interventions keep the ecology of an area moving. There will always be winners and losers but I guess the trick is to make sure there are enough of both over a long enough time scale.
A very simple reply from me, I'm afraid...the extra light !
Waking with daylight is just such a lovely feeling, especially when it's still (relatively) quiet on the (nearby) roads.
A new year lies ahead, and it's calling.
Cheers
Simon
Waking with daylight is just such a lovely feeling, especially when it's still (relatively) quiet on the (nearby) roads.
A new year lies ahead, and it's calling.
Cheers
Simon
Just remembered this that I managed to take a picture of recently, apologies for the poor quality, but I did manage to work out it was a Redwing.
Not seen one here (in Farnborough, Hants) in 25 years(ish), so was pretty chuffed !
Sorry - struggling to work out how to post an image...
Not seen one here (in Farnborough, Hants) in 25 years(ish), so was pretty chuffed !
Sorry - struggling to work out how to post an image...
Hi Simon, we can't host images unless you're a subscribing member, the best way is to link the images through to the forums, hope that helps.
Affirmation for the cycle of life
Sap rising (although i've yet to tap it)
The dawn chorus
Increased light
Increased green and
Blossom on the trees in the city and elsewhere...
It makes me feel a bit like i imagine a tree feels with sap rising... that sounds wrong... how to put it... like everything starts stirring to life again...
Love all the seasons for different reasons, but Spring is the most optimistic...
Sap rising (although i've yet to tap it)
The dawn chorus
Increased light
Increased green and
Blossom on the trees in the city and elsewhere...
It makes me feel a bit like i imagine a tree feels with sap rising... that sounds wrong... how to put it... like everything starts stirring to life again...
Love all the seasons for different reasons, but Spring is the most optimistic...
What excites me about spring arriving is how quickly winter comes back! Spring sun one day then snow the next. Looking forward to a base camping trip with the family in the Peak District over Easter. What's the betting? Winter or spring?
Ha ha, yeah, I agree with that, I miss the seasons we had more when I was young, things merge now, it will soon be winter again, I think this one we've seen it as winter rather than just a smudge between autumn and Spring... Today is a bit overcast, yesterday was a lovely blue sky with a nip in the air.
Starting to see flowers out now, it will ramp up quickly...
Starting to see flowers out now, it will ramp up quickly...
Last Easter we camped and I cracked the ice off the tent when I scrambled out early in the morning. Ended up a nice day.
This Easter I think is earlier and snow is rumoured to be coming. I've had snow later than Easter while camping before now (IIRC late April or into May). It's spring I guess, the season between winter and summer that can't decide which one it's closest to.
This Easter I think is earlier and snow is rumoured to be coming. I've had snow later than Easter while camping before now (IIRC late April or into May). It's spring I guess, the season between winter and summer that can't decide which one it's closest to.
Thank you.Feeling optimistic so I'm gonna go with Spring for your Easter trip... good luck
You can bet one thing will happen. That is we'll have fun! First family camp of the year.
It's in an old favourite campsite. Dog friendly site cafe and site bar (first time we've got a dog too). It's 100m from the Tissington cycle trail on a disused rail line. So we've got the bikes and will be riding a lot with luck.
I've got my recumbent too. My partner will be carrying the dog in a dog carrier on the front. I'm learning about my recumbent but might still have to mount the child tag along to it for longer rides.
It's not Bushcraft but it's fun. Just wondering if at should book the woodfired hot tub they have. Best not the dog might jump in!
I look forward to there being enough early light for me to have a quick wander in my little woods on my way to work (before 7am), the new growth coming through and the foraging improving - I nibbled my first Wild Garlic leaf of the year today
I look forward to there being enough early light for me to have a quick wander in my little woods on my way to work (before 7am), the new growth coming through and the foraging improving - I nibbled my first Wild Garlic leaf of the year today
Had a stroll with the dogs through Ramson woodland today, such a lovely smell.
I'll pick some tomorrow and either make Ramson, potato and Saffron soup, or a cream cheese omelette.
I also like dumping a kilo of leaves (unwashed or the moisture causes mould) into a litre of extra virgin and steeping for a week. Pour through muslin and squeeze. Great for salads, fried eggs etc.
