Quote for the week.........

"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary" - Steve Jobs

How to pick for the kitchen free advice from Gardeners World

"Culinary herbs are the original cut-and-come-again crop, so if you've got them in the garden, don't be afraid to get snipping and picking. The plants really will benefit from it, and you'll have wonderful flavours to add to dishes"

Gardeners World have produced free advice on how to pick herbs for the kitchen, while keeping the plants productive. If you would like more information please visit their website here.

FREE wildflower spotter sheets from Plantlife

The roadside wild flower spotter sheet from Plantlife is perfect for those planning a walk in the countryside.

You can download free printable copies of all the spotter sheets on their web page here.

A most enjoyable free cook and eat workshop session

The aim of this workshop was to learn something new about ‘fruit’ vegetables, dessert fruit, seeds and nuts. By the end of the session, attendees had:

Talked about fruits and seeds

Learned about some edible wild fruit

Observed some ‘fruit’ vegetables, fruits, seeds and wild fruits in the garden

Prepared a salad, a stir-fry and a fruit salad

Brewed tea from seeds

We are very pleased to say that the workshop session was free thanks to funding we have received from Cumbria County Council’s Healthy Weights Grant scheme.

Preparing for this mornings free cook and eat fruit workshop

Preparing for this morning FREE “cook and eat fruit” workshop facilitated by Jennifer Lauruol from Carpe Diem Gardens.

The session is free thanks to funding we have received from Cumbria County Council’s Healthy Weights Grant scheme.

What to do in the garden in August

There's always something to be doing in the garden, whether it's pruning, tidying or sowing. Thompson and Morgan have put together their top gardening tasks for August.

                    For detailed information please visit the Thompson & Morgan  website here

We are looking forward to this weeks free cook and eat session

This weeks free cook and eat session, facilitated by Jennifer Lauruol from Carpe Diem Gardens, will focus on the health benefits of growing fruit, grain and seeds and including them in your diet. 

The session is free thanks to funding we have received from Cumbria County Council’s Healthy Weights Grant scheme.

Chamomile shark moth caterpillars? perhaps

John Woodcock MP for Barrow and Furness joins our free cook and eat session

Free cook and eat flowers workshop

The aim of the workshop was to explore some well-known and less familiar edible flowers and flower vegetables, and cook a meal to eat together in the garden. By the end of the session, attendees had:

Learned about flowers and the role they play for plants

Talked about different kinds of plants we can eat

Harvested some flowers in the garden for our meal

Made three recipes to eat together

We are very pleased to say that the workshop session was free thanks to funding we have received from Cumbria County Council’sHealthy Weights Grant scheme.

Preparing for this mornings free "cook and eat flowers" workshop

Preparing for todays free "cook and eat flowers" workshop facilitated by Jennifer Lauruol, of Carpe Diem Gardens. 

Funding to enable the free workshop session has been provided by a grant we have received from Cumbria County Council’s HealthyWeights Grant scheme.

The big butterfly count 2015

The big butterfly count is a nationwide survey aimed at helping us assess the health of our environment. It was launched in 2010 and has rapidly become the world's biggest survey of butterflies. 

Why count butterflies?

Butterflies react very quickly to change in their environment which makes them excellent biodiversity indicators. Butterfly declines are an early warning for other wildlife losses.

That’s why counting butterflies can be described as taking the pulse of nature.

The count will also assist us in identifying trends in species that will help us plan how to protect butterflies from extinction, as well as understand the effect of climate change on wildlife.

 You can download the butterfly ID chart and join in with big butterfly count 2015 here.

Mind in Furness enjoying their picnic

Common darter dragonfly

Another raised planter maintained and prepared for planting

Harvesting yellow rattle seeds

Time for a little lawn maintenance

Growing well together

Accomplished climbers

Meanwhile on our bright and cheerful wildflower area

A small skipper butterfly pays a visit to our wildlife banking area

Quote for the week......

“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen” - E Kubler-Ross

A fun, interesting and free cook and eat session

The aim of the free cook and eat leaves workshop was to learn something new about leafy vegetables herbs and edible wild leaves. By the end of the session, attendees had:

Talked about leaf forms and growth

Learned about some edible wild leaves

Picked some herbs and wild leaves in the garden

Prepared a salad, a stir-fry and savoury herb spread for bread

Brewed herb tea

The session was facilitated by: Jennifer Lauruol, of Carpe Diem Gardens

Funding to enable the free workshop session has been provided by a grant we have received from Cumbria County Council’s Healthy Weights Grant scheme.

Just about ready for todays free cook and eat workshop

Just about ready for todays cook and eat leaves workshop facilitated by Jennifer Lauruol, of Carpe Diem Gardens. 

Funding to enable the free workshop session has been provided by a grant we have received from Cumbria County Council’s Healthy Weights Grant scheme.

We are looking forward to todays free cook and eat workshop

Getting ready for todays cook and eat leaves workshop facilitated by Jennifer Lauruol, of Carpe Diem Gardens. 

Funding to enable the free workshop session has been provided by a grant we have received from Cumbria County Council’s Healthy Weights Grant scheme.

Musk mallow in our wildlife areas

Our mini beast hotels continue to blend in nicely

Maintaining our mixed hedging borders

FREE July Wildflower Spotter sheet from Plantlife

The July Wildflower Spotter sheet from Plantlife is perfect for those planning a trip to a meadow this weekend.

You can download free printable copies of all the spotter sheets on their web page here.

Poppies brighten up the garden

Mallow and ox eye daisy on the banking

Common lizards out and about between the showers