The field journal

Notes from the plot

The honest record, entry by entry — what went in, what came up, what failed, and what ended up on the shelf or the plate.

Self-sown seedlings everywhere from last year's flowers — proof that the medicine row mostly looks after itself if you let it.

Six months of scraps had quietly become dark, sweet-smelling soil. A short note on building the three-bay system and the rhythm of turning it.

Last summer's dried petals, infused in oil and set with a little beeswax. The whole batch cost almost nothing and lives in a jar by the sink.

Three seasons of no-dig and the soil has never looked better. Less work, fewer weeds, and a structure the rain doesn't wash away.

The cloves that went in before the frosts are up and standing. A look at overwintering alliums and planning the beds around a year of meals.

The quiet month. Saving, sorting and ordering seed — and drinking the last of the dried chamomile while I plan what the plot will become.