My permaculture project

First in my series on how I’m approaching land-husbandry at Fishleigh Cross.

More words will follow soon… but for now, here is a list of tasks completed, or in progress, and a pictorial story board since early September up to date. Of course, I’m fitting in around Covid-19 lock-down restrictions.

Tasks undertaken, so far, include:

Removing all the old rotten posts and useless wire fencing. Any wire that can be repurposed as support for climbing plants has been rolled up and put aside.
Cut back all over-hanging branches and cut to ground level all rogue saplings – hawthorn, mostly – as well as brambles. Also, cut back the huge amount of brambles back to beyond the fence-line. This will, of course, be an ongoing battle for a while to regain control at the perimeter. Already, this has resulted in a huge gain in useable land-area as it occupied an area of boundary around 2m to 3m wide. There will be a significant amount of bramble regrowth permitted as I love blackberries and they provide valuable cover for wildlife.
The first cut of the grass for almost twenty years. I was anxious not to ruin natural habitat of many interesting and important species. Certainly, the cut has exposed some very interesting creatures – caterpillars, moths, and lizards (skinks), included. Some of the species I have never seen before outside of a book or not since I was a boy cycling down country lanes in the summer holidays when I would spend whole days looking for interesting bugs.
Sown the first seeds I have ever sown with real intent! Garlic, peas, spring onions and broad beans. You can see these growing from seed in the pictures below. They went in on 21st November and I have had to transplant them into bags of compost as I can’t yet bring them to Fishleigh. Thanks to a generous friend with a conservatory, these young plants have been able to thrive so far and have missed a few hard frosts, and a hell of a lot of rain. I have already tasted the broad beans as I have separated a few out to allow me to crop their new shoots to eat in salads. Delicious with soft boiled eggs or with fluffy baked potatoes and butter!
Security – A couple of years ago, I did spend quite a bit of time here in my old red Volkswagen campervan. You may remember seeing it parked in the paddock. Unfortunately, thieving bastards broke in and stole some of my kit, leaving me the expense of repairs and generally feeling unsettled and more than a little unwilling to trust anyone that comes near the place. I feel better having security cameras installed and, whilst I am careful not to impinge on anyone else’s privacy, I do carefully monitor every square inch of the place within one metre outside the boundary. Just because I may not be seen there does not mean I’m not there or nearby. I receive alerts and have high definition, full-colour video capture 24/7 and will respond quickly to any trespass or other breach in security. If anyone is interested in what I am doing at Fishleigh and would like to visit then the best way to be invited is by engaging with me via my website.

Feel free to ask me any questions or leave a comment in the form at the bottom of this page.