We have started work repairing the walls of the walled garden. One session was a bit of an archaeological mission, digging up bricks that had fallen from the walls over the years. We're pleased to report that we unearthed 22 intact bricks, which we hope can be repurposed in the upcoming repairs.

We also hosted a trial session training women to do lime pointing. A big thank you to Old House Consultancy and Mathias Brick and Flint for organising this and to the students that came along.

Interested in getting involved? Join our WhatsApp building group via the website here.

At the end of April, we were joined by Rachel from Edge Landscaping, who designed our syntropic agroforestry growing field. She gave a presentation followed by a walk around the field explaining all the plants, trees and shrubs and why they were chosen.

Thank you so much to Rachel for taking the time to deliver the walkabout and to the volunteers that came along.

A big thank you to the team of women from Kubota in Thame who took part in a volunteer day at Her Land, getting stuck in to the weeding and laying woodchip in the planting rows.

If you belong to or know of a group that would like to arrange a volunteering session, get in touch with Becky here.

We are starting to see some amazing plant growth at Her Land.

We have spotted a few berries growing and are looking forward to harvesting them this summer!

Plant of the month...

Small-leaved Lime (Tilia Cordata)

We have planted many of these trees at Her Land, as part of our syntropic agroforestry growing field. Reaching up to 40m in height, the young leaves, seeds and sap are edible and the flowers can be used to make a tea. They are a firm favourite with bees and with caterpillars of many moth species.

The wood is easy to work and was traditionally used in turnery, carving and furniture-making. Today the wood is used to make piano keys as it doesn’t warp.

Did you know? According to the Woodland Trust, small-leaved lime is an ancient-woodland indicator - spotting it could be a sign you're standing in a rare and special habitat.

​Find out more here​

What we've been reading...

A Wilder Way, Poppy Okotcha

Poppy Okotcha shares the inspiring, the mundane and the magical moments that arise from tending a garden through the seasons, and what they can teach us about living more sustainably.

Alongside tips for sowing and growing, wild ingredients to be found and delicious seasonal recipes to make, she shows us how the small joys of engaging with the natural world are imperative for our physical and emotional wellbeing. Woven throughout are personal stories, exploration of environmental issues facing us today, and folktales from her English and Nigerian heritage.