21/10/2025
Our work trip to the herb field was perfectly timed to catch a dramatic rolling in of weather fronts signalling the end of the spell of glorious weather that we’ve all been enjoying.
On the first day, whilst dry, it was so windy that I had to place weeds into the wheel barrow rather than throw them. Even with careful placement they still blew out, determined to undo my weeding efforts. At least I could sit down to work. Mark walked 17000 steps mowing the so far uncultivated areas within the mandala garden.
The second day’s task was to create another ‘no dig’ bed. We knew it was likely to be wet but decided that we would just get it done, plant the Garlic and then go and warm up. To say it was wet didn’t really capture the intensity and persistence of the rain, plus the wind picked up again. It was challenging (an understatement) but we soon developed a good system - one of us holding down a patch of cardboard whilst the other spread enough compost to keep it from blowing away. This technique was repeated until the bed was finally completed. Then, all that was left to do was for me to plant Garlic and scatter Yarrow seeds over the whole area.
This bed in the southern segment was hard won but it was all the more satisfying to see it done. Garlic is hot/ warming in potency and so ‘defeats cold diseases’ and Yarrow, whilst having a bitter and cooling character, is ‘The Master of the Blood’ so it’s a very important herb for circulatory issues, easing stagnation and supporting peripheral circulation.
It was too wet for me to have my phone with me while I was working but Mark snapped a couple of me rocking the ‘soaked to the skin and freezing’ look.
Photos:
1. Creating a new no-dig bed in the southern segment due
2. Planting Garlic
3. The new bed in context
