THE MODERN MINT BLOG
We design and build gardens in Essex and London – at least, that’s the simple nuts and bolts answer. But …
The Cows Are Coming!
Who would have thoughts cows can skip? Here is a video of the cows at Riverford Farm being let out of the barn… beautiful to see their excitement as they head out into the fields! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qlOuxlxVr8 While on the subject of cows and milk… last weekend the staff at Modern Mint learnt to make halloumi. It is easy and quick to do, and tastes delicious… we’re drooling thinking about it now! For those self-sufficiency hunters out there, the ‘Gentle Art of Cheesemaking’ is another skill to add to your repertoire. For more information and a fun lesson to teach you the basics, courses can be booked with Louise Talbot …
Hedges
Hedges were grown for practical purposes, the most obvious examples being to keep livestock in the right field and marauding invaders at bay (hedges still do this job, but the marauding invaders now are rabbits, not William the Conqueror.) In 1349 when the Black Death hit, resources were depleted and hedges and woodlands that had been put in during Anglo-Saxon times were degraded and decaying as a result. It was Henry VIII who, taking land away from the church and giving it to his courtiers, made the next changes to the look of Britain. Huge sums of money were being made in the wool trade and …
Flooding (Part 2)
To prevent future flooding there is a need to manage the land in a different way. The dredging of rivers will do nothing but speed up the flow of water to ‘pinch points’ further upstream. The use of sandbags is a measure provided too late, when normal life has been halted by water flowing into homes. Natural Flood Management (or NFM’s) must now be considered a major part of flood prevention. The critical factor of NFM measures? The planting of trees to slow down running water. By planting trees near headwaters they act as a buffer to hold up rainwater runoff. Planting …