nature

Pond and snails

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I realise I forgot to do a proper post about my new little pond. A spur of the moment idea which is now about a month in, everything has settled and I’m making around the edge look OK with a few bits here and there.

Today I decided to move two of my five pond snails over as they have been doing well since I got them about a month ago now too. Not that easy to photograph, but I have tried. They are awesome to watch.

And today while checking the numbers, I lifted the small solar powered pump in the first tub pond, and what do I find? Small batches of eggs! There may be more snails very soon 😬

Also not so easy to photograph. But these have also been moved to the new pond. They are incredible at cleaning up, and have made the water crystal clear, and have helped clear all the algae that was forming round the growing plants.

These are the relocated two, as you can see, they have their work cut out for them here. Lots of algae there already, that may have come with the plant I moved to start it off though. Hoping for more wildlife, so far the birds have been using it as a bird bath too, so it has their approval, even using the little steps to hop down to the lawn on one occasion!

(c) K Wicks

Dandelion salve

~ MKW Publishing ~ 3 Comments

In the quest for learning to make things yourself, I decided to make use of herbs and flowers. A dandelion salve seemed a good choice as we now have an abundance of them popping up. Make sure to always leave enough for the bees. It’s been a cold start to the season and the early ones and other pollinators will need them. Note – don’t pick dandelions that have been sprayed with pesticides, or that are exposed to domestic animals, or kerbside.

They need to be dried, for a day or so (and good to leave them outside for a little while after picking to let any bugs escape). Then put then in a jar and cover with olive oil (or any carrier oil of choice), to infuse for a week or two. Shake lightly every day and put on a sunny sill if available.

Then drain the oil through some cheesecloth to get all the bits out.

Add beeswax, the oil, a small bit of shea butter and essential oils if you want, melt together until the wax is dissolved using a double boiler.

Then pour into containers. Leave to set for half an hour, job done.

I actually put a bit of homemade lavender coconut oil in as well for some extra aroma as I don’t have any essential oils. Also have some rosemary and dandelion infusing currently so will see how that combo turns out next week.

This recipe was

42.2g dandelion infused olive oil

14.8g beeswax

9.2g shea butter

2.5 tps of lavender infused coconut oil

It can be tinkered with and adapted as necessary they say, but it’s a start. YouTube vids are good for tips and techniques as well.

(c) K Wicks

Hairy bittercress

~ MKW Publishing ~ 1 Comment

This is a new find for me, although not new to my eyes or garden. It’s other name is Cardamine hirsuta, and is edible it turns out. It’s appeared as it does in spring but this year before clearing it all away as a weed, I thought I’d leave it as it has very pretty little white flowers and isn’t doing any harm. Then I thought maybe I should find out what it is.

The leaves are the tasty bit, a bit peppery but not too much like rocket. Just had a salad with some and it was nice. But the star of the show was the little rosemary flowers I picked to go with it. Having only looked them up the other day (as it’s flowering), and turns out they are edible too! Super sweet little bursts of rosemary, just super 👌

(c) K Wicks