​Sowing Seeds: Help me to help you..
Spring is just beginning to show itself with dwarf Iris, Hellebores and SNOWdrops actually in the snow this weekend! There are lots of amazingly scented plants in full bloom such as Daphne, Wintersweet, Mahonia and Viburnum and the gorgeous but usually unscented Camellia’s and Witch hazel are also showing off.

I am aware that this year there are lots of people who are just at the beginning of their gardening journeys. So if you're planning to grow your own flowers, fruit, herbs and veg for the first time, or would like too revamp your whole garden with a new design. I can help.

I've designed everything from small balconies to estates, shady woodland areas to exposed communal gardens  and have tackled some really tricky pests. So if you have any poor areas or poorly plants give me a call.

I have some great reviews on Check-a-Trade and my own website shows a wide variety of the gardens and difficult site conditions I have worked with.

I will be honest. I do need to earn a living and while I love to share information and answer your tricky questions I need to charge an hourly rate if I'm to keep my cat in the luxury he's become accustomed too. However, my rates aren't excessive and are here on my website.

I would like to hear from you, about how I can help you. What would help you? What information do you need and in what format? A zoom video call? As long as your signal is ok in your garden, we can do a consult. Alternatively, I can also do a garden site visit, at a distance, in Sussex. All information is covered on my website: www.plantpeople.org

Last but not least we all love a bargain, so 10% off the first consult. If you introduce me to any of your friends and family, you both get 10% off a consult/ advice & information session/ 1:1 garden lesson.
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I look forward to hearing from you.

Plants are like us in that they need regular good food and water to grow, flourish and stay alive.
If we don’t get these things we don’t feel good, get stressed, get ill, eventually get very sick and then die.
We all need sunlight and air.
Technically plants get what they need from sunlight, photosynthesis, air and water.
The plants roots absorb water from the soil and this should contain the extra nutrients they need, a bit like what our stomach and intestinal system does for us. For plants it is very important to create and nurture the symbiotic relationships of a rich soil biome, full of microscopic insect life and a healthy mycorrhizal fungi network.
When plants get sick, abnormal discolouration of their leaves show various mineral deficiencies. If these are not remedied they become weak and susceptible to secondary infections from pests and diseases. E.g. Aphids, Rust or Black spot.
Liquid feeds can be used as a quick fix but I would advise you not to use any chemical based feeds. It’s like if we eat too much processed food; bad fats, too much sugar etc have a negative effect on us.
The plants will respond with extra green growth from high doses of Nitrogen but the growth will be weak.
The symbiotic relationship is also affected and the soil biome is depleted and damaged by using these chemical feeds, as well as any strong chemical pesticides and herbicides.
We know we need good organic, unprocessed whole foods with a balance of good proteins, fats and slow release carbohydrates for our long term good health.
The plants and the soil need the same.
We are all then able to become stronger, more resistant, less stressed and more resilient to illness / pests and diseases.
I find it interesting to reflect on our current food systems and the old saying ‘You are what you you eat’.
If you would like to have healthy thriving plants, edibles and a good soil biome in your own garden please get in touch. Over winter is an ideal time to start this process.
Sadie Honeybun, info@plantpeople.org, M: 07881992762.
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​​So this is my first ramblings! Welcome to my world of plants...

Autumnal delights: Misty mornings of dew laden spider webs was a spooky sight this week and made me excited at the thought of magical Halloween and beautiful bonfire nights.
 
My other joy this week was eating my first ripe pear (Doyenne du Comice variety) that I grew!
I am still harvesting second year cordon & espalier apples & pears, autumn raspberries, tomatoes* - very late going in, golden courgettes & chard which self sowed ...Yum! 
*Inspired to make lush spicy tomato and even better green tomato chutney with the 12kg of tomatoes!


So my garden is very down to earth and is slightly neglected on the surface. (I did book the time in early spring to weed and put down three tons of manure on all the garden.)
As I garden all week for others I rarely get time /energy to make mine look as beautiful as theirs!
Occasionally at weekends I cut the grass, weed and plant new treasures.

Ok this will make you laugh I am not a fan of grass or perfect lawns! It's just an annoying green carpet that keeps growing and needs cutting regularly, Invades beds and gets weeds in it.
I don't do perfect lawns or perfect anything in my OWN garden - Nature is perfect in its imperfections, and weeds in a lawn add biodiversity and attract wildlife.
Like us plants get a whole host of things that affect their looks, and if it's not going to kill us, we can learn to live with it...
As long as they are the right plant in the right place, planted well, fed and watered properly, occasionally a bit of tlc and they will give it their all!

Have a great weekend & enjoy your garden.

Next time: My crazy front garden and pet hates...