The SEED stands for Socially and Ecologically Enriching Dwelling.
Here, we seek to build enriching relationships between people and nature.
We inherited a garden of half-lawn, half-brambles bordered on all sides by high-canopy trees. We have added food trees and shrubs, stretching their maximum shade tolerance.
We have planted edible hedges so that our neighbours can snack even without entering our garden.
We are no longer frustrated by the shade caused by existing trees and instead enjoy their benefits: Emilia and her friends play in the garden, climbing trees, hanging out in trees and hanging from trees in hammocks, building dens and creating their dream garden.
We are also visited by woodpeckers, bats, tawny owls, and a weasel.
We invite our friends to hang out with us in the garden, to engage in nature craft activities, cook on the fire or even do life admin on their computers. We enjoy seeing our friends become bigger and bigger parts of our shared lives in this garden.
In summer, the pond, which we share with waterboatmen, watercress and more, is particularly attractive.
We rebuilt our house to Passivhaus standard, using a timber frame and cellulose insulation, and steel screw foundations.
We re-used the windows from our old house to build a greenhouse which will see its first season in 2025.