If you’ve visited Meadow Orchard this April you might have noticed a rather distinctive bee visiting our Apple blossom and Broad Beans. One of our lesser-known solitary beed is the hairy-footed flower bee (Anthophora plumipes). Often mistaken for small bumblebees, these bees play an important role in early-season pollination and exhibit several fascinating biological adaptations.Continue reading “The Hairy-Footed Flower Bee: An Early Pollinator”
Category Archives: Permaculture
London Clay and Our Local Geology
London Clay and Our Local Geology: Unearthing North London’s Ancient Landscape
Explore the fascinating geological history beneath North London’s feet—from the clay-rich soils of Highgate Wood and Meadow Orchard to the sandy Bagshot Formation capping Hampstead Heath. Discover how London Clay, formed over 50 million years ago in a subtropical sea, shaped everything from Roman pottery production to modern infrastructure like the Tube. Learn how local potters are reconnecting with these ancient materials, uncovering the story of the North London Glacial Plateau, and tracing the journey from deep marine deposits to ice age transformations. With roots in Roman heritage and the legacy of natural forces like water, ice, and time, London’s geology continues to shape art, history, and the land itself.
Sociocracy Part 2: The Proposal Process
Sociocracy is a system of governance that emphasizes equality, transparency, and collaboration. It structures organizations into semi-autonomous circles (teams) that make decisions using consent, meaning decisions move forward unless there are reasoned objections. Unlike traditional top-down hierarchies, sociocracy distributes authority and encourages every voice to be heard. This leads to more inclusive, adaptive, and efficientContinue reading “Sociocracy Part 2: The Proposal Process”
Sociocracy Part 1: Introduction
How Can We Use Sociocracy to Organise Ourselves and Make Decisions in a Way That Grows Trust and Our Capacity to Get Things Done? This April we welcomed our volunteer, Alex Papworth of Business Unusual to the Meadow Orchard to provide a gentle introduction into Sociocracy and to ask “How Can We Use Sociocracy toContinue reading “Sociocracy Part 1: Introduction”
This Month’s Garden Activities
Calling all of our community garden volunteers! Please check this page for the latest seasonal gardening activities planned for the coming month. It’s your go-to guide for what needs to be done when you stop by to help—from planting and weeding to watering schedules and harvesting tasks. Keeping up with these activities helps our gardenContinue reading “This Month’s Garden Activities”
Why Soil Testing is Essential in a Community Garden
Soil Testing Updates 9/4/25 Proposal made for testing soils for contamination based on advice by members of London Transition Town Groups. 18/4/25 We are currently planning a brief meeting to discuss the proposal for a potential soil contamination test and to plan the next steps. 1/5/25 At our May committee meeting we raised the issueContinue reading “Why Soil Testing is Essential in a Community Garden”
Plant Propagation: Mint Cuttings
Learn how to easily propagate mint from cuttings in water with this step-by-step guide. Perfect for beginners, this simple method shows you how to grow new mint plants indoors using just a glass, water, and sunlight. Whether you’re expanding your herb garden or sharing plants with friends, water propagation is fast, clean, and rewarding. Discover the best tips for cutting, rooting, and transplanting mint for healthy, thriving growth. Ideal for peppermint, spearmint, and other mint varieties. Start your own endless mint supply today with this easy DIY method for growing mint from stem cuttings in water.
Our Connection with Clay
What is Clay? Clay is a naturally occurring, fine-grained soil made up of tiny particles of rock and minerals, primarily hydrous aluminium phyllosilicates. It’s unique in that it becomes soft and workable when wet, yet hardens when it dries—and even more so when fired in a kiln. Throughout human history, clay has played a vitalContinue reading “Our Connection with Clay”
Our Roundhouse: Planned Upgrades
Exciting Upgrades Coming to our Roundhouse! UpgradesWe’re excited to share that we’re planning a series of upgrades to the Roundhouse to make it a more flexible, welcoming space for workshops, learning, and community events. These improvements are all about making the Roundhouse more functional, comfortable, and inspiring for everyone who uses it. A Community HubOneContinue reading “Our Roundhouse: Planned Upgrades”
Lifecycle Differences: Bee v Hoverfly
Often Bees and Hoverflies can look quite similar and it can be hard to tell them apart. Hoverflies don’t have a sting and some species have even evolved to look like Bees, Wasps and Hornets! In nature where a harmless species such as a hoverfly (the mimic) resembles a dangerous species i.e. a bee (theContinue reading “Lifecycle Differences: Bee v Hoverfly”
Meadow Orchard Project 