In January I set up a home-made under-heated cutting tray. My purpose was to root cuttings of apples and pears. Normally these are reproduced by grafting (reproduction from seed does not give true cultivars –… Tree cuttings using home-made heat mat

As of 29th March 2015 all of the bare-rooted trees have been planted. What next? Lots of things to finish off, check and tidy up. In the wind a few tree-guards are blowing over – stakes… The woods – what next?

Mission accomplished! 3996 bare-rooted trees (and shrubs) all planted – about 7 acres of new native broadleaved woodland created. Thank you thank you everybody who joined me to plant trees over the last three months,… The trees are all planted

Progress to date? We’re over 80% done. Most of what remains is to be planted with canes and spiral guards rather than stakes and tree guards, which will make then quicker and easier. We should be… Tree-ometer

Progress with tree planting over the last fortnight has been amazing – thank you everybody! There’s still a long way to go (about a third of the trees are still to be planted) but most… Progress!

Not everybody has used a compost loo before. Here’s the basics… Inside the toilet tent you will find two bins – one with a seat on and one containing useful things. Sit down and relax.… Compost Loo For Beginners

A large area in the middle of the field will be focussed on growing edibles: a fruit and nut orchard and a forest garden. The fruit trees that I planted last year need to be… Later in 2015, and beyond

There’s one main task for Jauary to March – I have 3500 trees to plant. They’re native broadleaves: oak, field maple, small leaved lime, birch, aspen, alder, wild cherry, crab apple, rowan, sweet chestnut, beech, hazel, hawthorn, goat willow, dogwood, spindle, dog rose, holly and blackthorn. The… Tree planting early 2015

In the 1980s a youthful Gavin liked playing in the woods. A few years ago I realised that I wasn’t playing in the woods as much as I used to. I wondered if I could have… What’s with the woods?