With different shapes and forms and an explosion of colours, Dahlias are the No 1 for me! I didn’t always love dahlias but my fascination grew with the need to have a cutting bed for flowers that could be picked for our cabins and yurts …
I’m not sure when I first ever tasted quince jelly but I do remember thinking that this was truly better than sliced bread. The colour is spectacular and the flavour is deliciously subtle although hard to describe. A touch of apple and lemon with a …
It’s been a while since I posted a recipe. Every time a friend or wwoofer (volunteer) asks me how to make this soup – I promise myself I’ll post a blog about it. So here it is! The leeks planted out late last year in …
OUR WOODLAND’S HISTORY Our woodland was originally part of a much larger forest known as Anderida, which covered much of Kent and Sussex during Roman times. In the 16th Century, Henry VIII took down most of the big oak trees to build his warships. There was …
Here at Forest Garden Shovelstrode, we were over the moon to receive a recent mention in The Guardian. The article ‘Pooh’s corners: magical stays in Ashdown Forest’ explores the nearby by setting for AA Milne’s Winnie the Pooh books, Ashdown Forest which inspired the famed …
I find it very strange to still be picking tomatoes off my plants in the greenhouse, in November! But then it's been an abnormal year. So with this constant supply of tomatoes I have been busy chopping, slicing, boiling and simmering to produce my Harvest …
Nestled on the edge of the wood, on Saturday 6th October, I happened on this little beauty. Growing in a damp, shady area of the wood, this purple crocus had emerged along with 4 others. It's not the first year I have seen it but …
This summer has given joy in so many ways! And for me, being able to pick fresh ripe figs off the tree has been one of those joys. Never have I picked so many luscious sweet figs from my tree. They are still coming thick …
Over the years we have welcomed many tired and weary guests to Forest Garden Shovelstrode. However when guests are being walked down to their yurt or cabin, meandering through the ancient woodland and being completely immersed in nature, there is an almost immediate and noticeable …
Woodlands are great places for kids to play and learn more about nature. Natural play is great for children's development: research has shown it can boost cognitive ., increase physical fitness, reduce symptoms of attention deficit disorder and even help improve grades in school! Take …
It's competition time! As the snow falls down around us, we are formally starting our blog! Better late than never springs to mind. Even though we can't be outside working, we are busy at marketing, making repairs, improvements, renovations and of course work continues …