March 2025
Light and Growth
The light nights are here. They make such a huge difference to the amount of time we can spend outside and add lovely sunsets. Everything has started to awaken from its winter dormancy, and there’s growth emerging. The hedges we planted in late 2023 are starting to grow rapidly. They should begin to give the gardens some protection in the next couple of years. They’ve been mulched with the chipping from the trees that were cut down on the drive; it’s good to be able to put things to good use and have free materials.
Hedging growing up and out.
Windows!
We have windows! They are now about 80% installed; the last few will be done in the next week or two. It’s a massive step towards having a watertight house. There’s also been some good progress in finalising the heating. We have settled on an air-source heat pump from Octopus, and the design for the underfloor heating on the ground floor is done. The underfloor heating and the floor screed are due to be down by the end of April; then, there should be some real internal progress with flooring, kitchens, stairs etc.
Skylights.
Windows at the back of the house.
The Garden
The garden is getting back up and running. The three “no dig” beds that I’ve been trying to make good since last year are looking a lot more established. I did have to use a fork to get out the remaining root systems that I’m sure would have remained for years and years if not forcibly removed. Now they are more or less weed-free, an annual application of compost (hopefully homemade) should be enough to keep them going. There are broad beans and peas in, with a lot of seeds growing in the greenhouse for planting out when the threat of frost has passed. The annual fruit plants that went in last year seem to be coming back strong, including the gooseberries, currents and the Rhubarb shown below.
No dig beds.
Rhubarb at the start of the month.
Rhubarb at the end of the month.
Well-wishers
There were a couple of well-wishers checking in on progress, which I think are Partridges. They did a quick pass-through and were on their way! We are moving out of the “building site” phase and starting to remove piles of things and rubbish, so next time they are in the neighbourhood they may be impressed with the progress.
Thanks for reading, love from Hillside Farm x
Partridges passing through.
PS Avvy is delighted that it’s mowing season! Officially her favourite time of the year.
Peak life.
