Croft Diary Pages: Planting Trees and Hedges …
… March into April 2026
Over the past few weeks the elementals have been handing over pockets of land and guiding me what to plant in each, as well as glimpses of next years projects already - which means it’s taking some level of self control to not rush in and complete this years projects first!
24th April: We’re getting a glorious taste of summer here …
And suddenly everything aligns … the next pockets of land, that the elementals continue to guide me to use and with what to plant … have been prepared and the raspberry canes are in !
I love how the symbiotic relationship between blackberries and docks nourish the land and so we only clear what is needed.
I finally converted the old bath tub as a planter for the blackcurrants, repotted the baby trees that are still waiting and potted up those that have been self seeded for a future project …
22nd April: Cleavers infusion
The Cleavers are growing big enough now to harvest and they make a fantastic spring detox. supporting the lymphatic system. I infuse in cooled boiled water and some days add nettles or primrose flowers ( for sweetness) and drink in place of my usual water … and I am peeing a lot!
14th April: Foraging additions …
Primrose, sorrel and bittercress added to salad … … bramble shoots, nettle and ground elder - potherbs and great for omelettes … nettle root, other than medicinal use can also be added to soups and stews
9th April: When the sun shines and the wind stills - plant trees ! Future structures being established as the elementals continue to guide me on what to plant and where. Rose and Hazel hedge in tyres, Apple trees in a ring of Rowan and Elder and Hawthorn spiralling through the Willow.
7th April: Blackthorn
Beyond thrilled to see these today … Blackthorn flowers appear before their leaves and are often considered to mark the end of winter
4th April: Woodland hedge in progress. I made a temporary repair to windbreak as I will remove it once the hedge establishes. I used cardboard and old fleece to mulch - some of the fleece was so distinct, I could still remember which came from which sheep after all this time! I then used partly rotted leaf and twig mould to mimic a woodland floor. Next I cleared space through the willow for diversifying the wood;and … and the chickens love following me around while I work!
3rd April: And so the trees arrived: apple, hawthorn, elder and sea buckthorn … and theyare having a good root soak… the elders little leaves were wilting and started coming back to life almost immediately! I chose Coxes Orange Pippin as I love how the seeds rattle when they are ripe.
In biodynamics there is a school of thought that believes you should not plant anything over the 3 days of Easter, as the energetic impact of that time is/was held so strongly in the Earth.
I will simply listen to the land.
2nd April: Preparing for the new tree arrivals … digging out ditches … relocating primroses … all with the help of the chooks !!!
24th March: The tadpoles in the well are growing - and so is the Wild Garlic.
I don’t have any Wild Garlic on the Croft yet and this patch is in a very special place that means a day out!
21st March: The Alchemists have arrived!
These worms are for the compost toilet transforming my waste into humanure, and integrating me more fully into the Crofts cycle of nutrients!