top of page
The John Seymour School
for Self-Sufficiency
Search
End of year news
It has been wet in the garden! The sun shone today, and I finally got around to attacking the compost heap. First job is to take off the...
wllmsutherland
Jan 4, 20241 min read
Winding down for Xmas
IN THE GARDEN It's wet and muddy and the season is over. When we finally have some dry frosty weather it will be time to tidy up, dig out...
wllmsutherland
Dec 18, 20231 min read
Catching up with Winter tasks
Just back from New Zealand and it's time to press on with the vital winter tasks – pruning the soft fruits and espaliered trees and...
wllmsutherland
Feb 7, 20233 min read
Closed for Winter (mostly!)
The garden has but a few chicory and cabbages left in it, and the soil is having a rest. But meanwhile... FARMING DILEMMAS! Modern...
wllmsutherland
Nov 15, 20225 min read
Early sowings
Suddenly we seem to have reached March! The artichokes are doing what artichokes do but, more exciting, we have new blossom on the...
wllmsutherland
Mar 4, 20221 min read
The Great Christmas Carbon Fest
It's a big warm job for cold Christmas weather – emptying and spreading the year's supply of lovely compost. The first step is to peel...
wllmsutherland
Feb 9, 20221 min read
Year-end Garden - December 2021
Yes, it's winter in the garden and the rain is still lashing down outside my window. Dry cold weather will come – I know – and then it...
wllmsutherland
Jan 10, 20221 min read
In the garden - winter
Huge waves are crashing onto the rocks as the freezing sleet whips past in the winter gale. Yes, it is indeed “winter”. The garden is...
wllmsutherland
Dec 15, 20211 min read
Winter is almost here! November
The winter is coming and things are quiet in the garden but there is still lots of good food to be harvested. It's November and the...
wllmsutherland
Nov 7, 20212 min read
It's March already in the garden
It is March already; dry weather at last and cultivating has begun. It took me just a couple of pleasant hours to weed and rotavate 3 of...
Will Sutherland
Mar 1, 20212 min read
While the garden sleeps, the workshop comes alive!
The Garden Very quiet in the winter garden. The curly kale is a healthy and very tasty winter green and the sprouting broccoli is waiting...
Will Sutherland
Feb 8, 20212 min read
The Garden Sleeps and one way to break down the blues: Music Outdoor!
In the garden the soil is resting now as we potter about when the weather is dry. I was able to spread the compost on a lovely bright...
Will Sutherland
Jan 16, 20211 min read
The Glorious Compost Heap!
Each time I open up the mature compost heap (12 months of green material) the excitement is like receiving a rather special Christmas...
Will Sutherland
Dec 12, 20202 min read
In the Workshop – More Northumbrian scythes for sale!
There is no better therapy for bodily pain and discomfort than creative working in wood. During winter months I try to spend 2 or 3...
Will Sutherland
Jan 23, 20201 min read
Winter Garden News
Back to Earth After the wettest autumn I can ever remember the weather has finally let up and routine work in the garden goes on. For...
Will Sutherland
Jan 23, 20202 min read
bottom of page