December - What we’re working on
In the veg patch
As the weather becomes cooler this month, our bodies are able to set about doing the big jobs without overheating. This is my favourite season, every day the weather gives us some sort of magic, yes, even in the dreary grey days there are little moments of delight. Frozen droplets on spider webs, swirling mists and chattering birds. I’m not so keen on the baking sun and endless heat of the summer so for me, I can begin to move again without fear of frazzling. There’s something so satisfying about generating your own body heat through some proper garden work. Shifting, lugging, lifting, wrangling with overgrown stems of blackcurrants then cuddling cups of hot tea in enamel mugs (enamel both loses heat and conducts heat really quickly so perfect for a hot tea which cools quick enough for you to drink it! There’s method in the madness I’m sure.)
This month we’re…
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When we began our Kith journey, there was only a field. A field with incredibly thick sward of grass and heavy clay. Over the years we’ve added layers to the beds to create the beautiful rich, light soil we have today. Each season we improve on the last and in the spring we do a little happy dance that the hard work we put in during the winter has been worth it.
This year we’re experimenting with fallen autumn leaves, cardboard and manure to see what we get. Keep your fingers crossed for us! -
It was a fitting task to collect Love-In-A-Mist seeds as we were surrounded by a thick mist.
These self-seeded last year and always provide such a beautiful display. I had two little helpers come snap the last of the pods to reveal the black seeds inside. Such a fun little task to do. We’ll dry them out and tuck them into envelopes ready to sow in the spring. -
It’s been a whole year since we last wood chipped the paths in the garden and my goodness it shows! We’d become overrun with creeping buttercup. This month we’ve set ourselves the challenge of laying new paths in the whole garden before we break for Christmas.
Yes, we’d love some help! If you’re twiddling your thumbs getting cold, please please do grab a shovel and set to work helping us. We’ll repay you with a mug of hot tea and maybe a mince pie. -
During our recent Homestead Gathering we took a wander to 3 Gates Wood to collect some hazel for our festive tree.
Each year we craft our beautiful 7ft stick tree out of bean poles (long lengths of hazel) with a big festive stick star on the top.Over the month of December, children and adults can add to it with little ornaments made from the natural things we find around Kith.
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At this time of the year when the temperature drops (to -4oc on Monday) we add layers of cardboard and autumn leaves to the tops of the compost bins to try and add a little extra warmth and protection to our wormy friends.
I used to check on them daily, as if they’d magically create beautiful crumbly compost overnight… too keen! Now I know to trust them. They know what they’re doing and they’ll do it in their own time. I will be lucky enough to collect the compost when it’s done.
But I will continue to keep them warm and fed over the winter, because they’re like family y’know?! -
I hold my hands up in confession, I’ve never pruned our fruit trees before. They’re still only a few years old but I’ve been so nervous to chop them, it’s a job I’ve been putting off each season.
Until this year, my Dad kindly gave me the nudge and together with some little helpers we began chopping. I secretly had my fingers and toes crossed we were doing it right. This is one of the many mysteries of garden work, the actions you take in one season won’t come to fruition until the next… or maybe even the one after! Oof, it’s patient work for sure.
We’ll check in during the spring when the blossoms hopefully appear.
