Seasonal garden notes
Seasonal reflections on ecological garden design, biodiversity and the landscapes of Hurstpierpoint and Mid Sussex.
A little water, A lot of life
In this hot, dry weather, even a small dish of clean water can become a lifeline for garden wildlife. Birds queue to drink and bathe, insects pause to rest and sip, and the whole garden gathers around a few cupfuls of water. A simple, everyday gesture that brings the most extraordinary moments.
Heat, watering and how to keep your pots happy
A practical look at watering in hot June weather: from deep, efficient watering to using trays and buckets for soaking pots, caring for larger containers, and simple ways to reduce water waste while keeping plants healthy through the heat.
No Mow May: Preparing for a better meadow in September
A meadow with wildflowers and brown and orange Gatekeeper butterflies.
RHS Malvern Garden Festival 2026
A peek at a memorable week in April helping plant Lora’s RHS Malvern show garden, Pressed in Time: Nature’s Memory. Long days on site, beautiful plants, and the joy of bringing a thoughtful design to life… an experience that will shape my own path with Helen Codd Studio.
Why every garden needs a little water
…one of the most transformative things you can do for wildlife requires none of that.
No redesign. No equipment. No planning.
Just add water.
The long game of spring flowers
There’s something deeply satisfying about watching a plant reach this stage of maturity. The early years are all about patience. The roots are getting settled, the stems strengthen, all the time the plant is working hard behind the scenes. And then suddenly, one year, it steps fully into itself. This is that year for my clematis.
Frogs, newts, and the quiet drama of a Hurstpierpoint garden pond
Late winter is when the garden begins to stir, even before most people notice anything above ground. While the borders still look bare and the trees are holding their breath, the pond is already alive with movement. Frogs return first, slipping back into the water after months spent tucked away in leaf litter or sheltered corners of the garden. Soon after, newts glide through the shallows with that unmistakable, effortless flick of the tail.
Why doing less now helps your garden more later
Why doing less now helps your garden more later…
February often feels like the moment we should ‘get going’ in the garden — tidy up, cut back, mulch, make everything look neat again. But this is one of the most important months to pause rather than act.
More from the studio…
