Elizabeth Waddington
Permaculture and Sustainability Consultancy
Permaculture design, sustainability advice and environmental consultancy for individuals, businesses and organisations.
News and Inspiration
Food and Society – How Can We Fix What’s Broken?
Those of you who are familiar with key issues in sustainability will no doubt already be well aware of the problems with our current agriculture and food systems. Millions go hungry while waste is enormous, and many people in developed nations have too much food rather than too little. Around the world, farmers struggle byContinue reading “Food and Society – How Can We Fix What’s Broken?”
Things You Don’t Have to Buy if You Have a Garden
Even those of us who have gardens and tend them do not always use them to their full potential. A garden is an amazing resource. And when you have a garden, it can make it a lot easier to reduce your consumption and live in a more sustainable way. So, today, I thought I wouldContinue reading “Things You Don’t Have to Buy if You Have a Garden”
Privacy in a Garden
Privacy is a topic of interest to many people when it comes to garden design. It is of course particularly important in city or town gardens. In urban gardens, it is common for the space to be overlooked from the windows of surrounding homes, and from the road, or from the gardens of neighbouring properties.Continue reading “Privacy in a Garden”
‘Barbarians’, ‘Savagery’ and ‘Primitive’ Society
I have been watching a few history programmes recently that have made me think about the concepts of ‘barbarian’ and ‘savagery’. And about the meaning of primitive culture. The implications of the words and how they are applied can tell us a lot about the prejudices and misconceptions of history, and people in the modernContinue reading “‘Barbarians’, ‘Savagery’ and ‘Primitive’ Society”
Case Study: Formal French Potager Style Garden
I think there is an impression that in a permaculture garden, nothing can be straight or orderly. But in this design which I created for a client in Idaho who wanted a more formal and neat design, you can see that earth-friendly design and methodologies can be implemented in different styles. In the notes providedContinue reading “Case Study: Formal French Potager Style Garden”
This is Not a Time for Complacency
A number of times in recent days, I have been somewhat alarmed by what seems to be the general consensus that the Covid 19 pandemic has ‘given nature some respite’, and the widespread belief that curtailment of human activity has led to big wins in terms of our climate crisis. Some people seem to beContinue reading “This is Not a Time for Complacency”
Chickweed: A Weed You Want in Your Garden
I know that most gardeners moan at the sight of even a single weed, and rip them all out as soon as they appear. But my garden has lots of weeds – and I love them. Yes, even in the vegetable beds. While not all weeds, of course, are desirable, there are plenty of weedsContinue reading “Chickweed: A Weed You Want in Your Garden”
Hedging Bets and Avoiding Losses in the Garden
This week, I have been very grateful for the fact that I have built up some resilience in my garden systems, and have been careful, through permaculture approaches and careful planning, not to put all my eggs in one basket. We have had a very late and rather unexpected cold snap, with night time temperaturesContinue reading “Hedging Bets and Avoiding Losses in the Garden”
Managing Time Effectively in a Busy Gardening Period
April is one of the busiest times in the gardening year where I live. And it is the same for many others too. There are so many seeds to sow this month, others to pot on or harden off and plant out, perennials to plant out and some to divide, general garden maintenance jobs, and,Continue reading “Managing Time Effectively in a Busy Gardening Period”
How Much Do You Buy in a Year?
When trying to live in a more sustainable way, reducing waste and minimising your negative impact on people and planet, what you choose to buy is one of the most important things. We all have to remember that a lot of our power as individuals comes from what we choose to buy (and what weContinue reading “How Much Do You Buy in a Year?”
A Sustainable Celebration of Spring
Happy Easter to those of you celebrating today. We have enjoyed a sustainable celebration today – a celebration of spring (even though tonight we are expecting a heavy frost and it feels a little as though winter is trying to return)! No matter your beliefs, spring can be a time of celebration. A time forContinue reading “A Sustainable Celebration of Spring”
Case Study: Small Yard Food Production
This plan aims to show how food can be grown in this small space for a family of three, with minimal effort for maximum yield. The plan includes a range of small space garden solutions, and incorporates plenty of perennial plants in addition to space for annual fruit and vegetable cultivation. Thought was given toContinue reading “Case Study: Small Yard Food Production”
April Sowing, Growing and Harvesting
This is a busy time of the year in the garden. Though I have to be careful here about not planting anything out or sowing too early, before the last frosts, there is plenty going on. I have held off on some sowing and planting outdoors this week because some relatively late frosts are expectedContinue reading “April Sowing, Growing and Harvesting”
Freedom and What We Do With It
Our chickens are finally out of their own lockdown today. They had to be confined to a covered run due to bird flu. So, as many of us have been locked down to a degree over the last months, our hens also did not have the freedom they are used to. They have very muchContinue reading “Freedom and What We Do With It”
Empowering Children to Make Sustainable Change
All too often, children are sidelined. They are viewed as powerless dependents, who are merely there to be guarded and protected. But children who are empowered to create change show that they have amazing capacity to truly change the world for the better. One of the challenges for sustainable progress is ‘otherism’ – the naturalContinue reading “Empowering Children to Make Sustainable Change”
What Will We Leave Behind?
I was thinking today about what we have found during our barn conversion project, and when digging ditches for drainage and for our polytunnel on our property. We have not found any treasure, unfortunately, and nothing hugely fascinating. But we have found a few interesting bits of Victorian or early 20th Century ‘rubbish’. We foundContinue reading “What Will We Leave Behind?”
Sustainable Spring Cleaning
Sustainable spring cleaning means taking care to make sure you maintain a fresh, clean home without causing environmental harm or doing anything which has a negative impact on the planet. When you adopt a natural and toxin-free approach, of course, that is not just the right thing to do for people and planet. It isContinue reading “Sustainable Spring Cleaning”
Feeling Tired At The End of the Day
There is something satisfying about feeling physically tired at the end of the day. Those of us who do not have manual jobs do not feel this way on a daily basis. I am sure that there are many people who, like me, spend quite a lot of time working online, who do not feelContinue reading “Feeling Tired At The End of the Day”
Case Study: Virginia Permaculture Design
In this case study, you can see my design for a domestic garden in Dayton, Virginia. Dayton is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. This is the broad concept plan and planting outline for the design. Further to this, I also provided the client with detailed planting plans for each of the main areas, and suggestedContinue reading “Case Study: Virginia Permaculture Design”
Sustainability Tips for Spring
Of course, spring weather means sowing and planting – if you do not do so already, this is a good time to start growing your own. But beyond this, and other sustainable jobs you can do in your garden, what else should you think about doing to take steps forward in your journey to aContinue reading “Sustainability Tips for Spring”
Wildlife Pond Tips
I have spoken before about how wonderful a wildlife pond can be, and what a good idea it can often be to add a pond to your property. I recently wrote this article for Treehugger on the subject – with simple tips for anyone who is thinking about creating a wildlife pond and would likeContinue reading “Wildlife Pond Tips”
Working Backwards To Move Forwards
Sometimes, we have to reverse engineer a problem to find the right solution. In other words, we have to work backwards, looking at cause and effect, to find the source of a problem, which may not always be quite as obvious as it at first appears. In solving ecological problems on a broad scale, andContinue reading “Working Backwards To Move Forwards”
Amazing Ecosystem Restoration
I am endlessly fascinated by the potential to restore degraded ecosystems – even when they have been deserts for a very long time. I have been involved with a project in Somalia, which some of you may already have seen, and several other smaller examples. But larger scale ecosystem restoration projects are possible, and offerContinue reading “Amazing Ecosystem Restoration”
Trellis That Becomes Undercover Growing Space in Winter
I thought today that I would share a simple idea which can help gardeners in colder climate zones extend their growing season affordably. The idea is simply to create a trellis framework over two garden beds, with a path between them, which can become an undercover growing area in winter, when covered over with polytunnelContinue reading “Trellis That Becomes Undercover Growing Space in Winter”
Tips for Gardens in Colder Planting Zones
As you may already be aware, USDA gardening zones are one of the factors to consider when choosing plants for your garden. Those living in colder climate zones, say zones 3, 4 or even 5 may sometimes feel a little disappointed not to be able to grow the range of plants available for warmer climateContinue reading “Tips for Gardens in Colder Planting Zones”
Case Study: Perennial Tea Garden
Above are some details provided for a client as part of a design for their property – a largely densely wooded property in Georgia. The focus regions for this design were the forest garden, perennial tea garden, and a sloped area to the south of the main vegetable beds area. This is a portion ofContinue reading “Case Study: Perennial Tea Garden”
Adding Trees Without Creating Too Much Shade
I have spoken before about how great a decision it can be to plant trees on your property. But some people, understandably, enjoy the sunshine. They worry that adding trees will exclude too much light and make a garden too shaded. Though sensible design, however, trees can become part of almost any garden. Here areContinue reading “Adding Trees Without Creating Too Much Shade”
Market Gardening – Getting Started
If you are considering starting a market garden for the first time this year, you may be feeling somewhat overwhelmed by everything you need to do. You might be wondering whether you can really make a profit by selling your market garden produce. I have seen numerous examples of successful market gardens around the world,Continue reading “Market Gardening – Getting Started”
The Cycle of Good Health
One thing that I thought it would be good to talk about more is the cycle of good health that ties us to the natural world around us. Sometimes, it is the simplest facts which are overlooked. And here is one of the simplest: Healthy soil grows healthy plants. Healthy people eat healthy plants. HealthyContinue reading “The Cycle of Good Health”
Cows Are Not The Enemy
In the arena of sustainability, we often hear a lot about cows – most of it extremely negative. There is a broad tendency to vilify cattle, and imagine that they are to blame for all that is wrong with our agricultural industry. Yes, we should all think very carefully before eating meat. And understand exactlyContinue reading “Cows Are Not The Enemy”
Common Mistakes When Placing a New Kitchen Garden
I recently wrote a piece for Treehugger, “Where Should You Place a New Kitchen Garden?” And this got me thinking about the mistakes I have seen people make. So here are some things you should not do when placing a new kitchen garden: Don’t hide away a vegetable plot at the far end of yourContinue reading “Common Mistakes When Placing a New Kitchen Garden”
Scaling Up and Scaling Down Permaculture Principles and Practice
One of the things that never fails to inspire me about permaculture is the fact that it can be scaled up to the largest of acreages, and scaled down to just a tiny patch or a few containers in someone’s backyard. The goals, ethics, ethos, principles and practices that play a big role in myContinue reading “Scaling Up and Scaling Down Permaculture Principles and Practice”
Case Study: Riparian Planting and Forest Garden
This plan is for a proposed eco-friendly architectural development in England. The proposed architectural plan seeks to minimise visual intrusion, and integrate a new home within the existing environment. This plan aims to show how landscaping on the site will further serve to integrate the natural and built environment, while also improving ecological benefit andContinue reading “Case Study: Riparian Planting and Forest Garden”
Is Garden Lighting a Good Idea?
Garden lighting is very popular, especially in areas where days can be short in the shoulder seasons. The benefit, of course, is that you can extend the times during which you and your household can enjoy your garden. The right lighting can make your garden a magical place during the evening hours. But garden lightingContinue reading “Is Garden Lighting a Good Idea?”
Learning From History To Forge a Sustainable Future
One of the important things we should do when trying to live sustainably, and work out the best path for the future, is learn from peoples and cultures who have come before. Often, humanity can be remarkably short sighted when looking forward. And we can also be very short sighted when looking back. Many civilisationsContinue reading “Learning From History To Forge a Sustainable Future”
Signs in Nature
Where we live, the spring sunshine has given way to a bit of a grey gloom for the past couple of days, and it looks like we still have a few more days of this grey and rainy weather to come. But in spite of the grey skies, spring is still all around – fromContinue reading “Signs in Nature”
When Is the Right Time to Take Calculated Risks?
At the moment, many people are re-evaluating their lives. Many people are becoming more aware of sustainability. And perhaps truly questioning their choices properly for the first time with people and planet care in mind. Even those who have long been aware of the need for greater eco-consciousness and a more sustainable way of lifeContinue reading “When Is the Right Time to Take Calculated Risks?”
Designing for Different Climates and Conditions
Sometimes even experienced permaculture designers seem to fall into ruts when it comes to their recommendations and design choices. But it is always important to make sure that we really do respect both the site and the client – and design specifically for each individual project. Recently, I have been working on several different designsContinue reading “Designing for Different Climates and Conditions”
Big Data is Not Always Bad
After writing this brief piece recently for Treehugger: Using Data and Citizen Science for Gardening Success I’ve been thinking more about ‘big data’ and both the challenges and opportunities wide scale data gathering can bring. We tend to think of ‘big data’ in negative terms – as a tool used against us rather than somethingContinue reading “Big Data is Not Always Bad”
Case Study: Glamping Site
This permaculture design details planting and layout for a glamping site in Angus, Scotland. The site slopes gently down from the road towards a burn on the south east boundary of the site. Four camping cabins are planned, which will overlook the burn and neighbouring farm fields. As you can see from the plan above,Continue reading “Case Study: Glamping Site”
Thinking About Interior Design
Tonight I have been spending some time thinking about interior design. As a permaculture designer, I usually think more about gardens – most of my creative energy goes into outside spaces. But since we have been working on our barn conversion, I have been thinking more about the inside of what will be our foreverContinue reading “Thinking About Interior Design”
Companion Planting Tips
First of all, it is important to note that much of the companion planting advice given online has little scientific basis. While there are undoubtedly benefits to combining certain plants, the ways in which plants interact with one another are surprisingly sketchily understood. So take advice like ‘X loves Y’ with a grain of salt.Continue reading “Companion Planting Tips”
5 Spring DIY Projects For the Kitchen Garden
There is plenty to be getting on with in the garden as spring arrives. Sometimes, as spring rushes in, it can be a little overwhelming. But whether you are already a keen gardener, or are starting an organic garden for the first time, a DIY project can focus the mind ready for spring planting. I’veContinue reading “5 Spring DIY Projects For the Kitchen Garden”
Prepping is Not About Doom and Gloom
Preparing for catastrophe, or prepping as it is often known has a bad rep. Many people, when they hear the term, think of survivalists stockpiling canned goods in their well-armed bunkers. But preparing for catastrophe, as I explain in this recent article about preparing for catastrophe in a permaculture garden, is not about fear-mongering orContinue reading “Prepping is Not About Doom and Gloom”
Growing Brassicas
Those who already grow their own in a temperate climate will no doubt be familiar with brassicas – members of the cabbage family. These crops are important ones in temperate climates, and are often an important crop family in annual gardens. Where I live, March is the time to sow a range of Brassica plantsContinue reading “Growing Brassicas”
Using Wood Chip in the Garden
Wood chip is a useful material in the garden. And after spending quite a lot of time this weekend shredding pruned branches etc. and spreading some to refresh some paths around our property, I thought I’d share this link to an article a wrote just over a year ago about how to use this inContinue reading “Using Wood Chip in the Garden”
Case Study: Agroforestry in Aberdeenshire
This agroforestry plan is for a site in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The site is currently a grass field, with rough turf cover on humus-rich podzols. This field adjoins a small garden area and existing home. This plan is designed to make full use of this area, with an integrated agroforestry system which will ultimately include chickensContinue reading “Case Study: Agroforestry in Aberdeenshire”
Garden Plans for the Weekend
What are you doing in your garden this weekend? It is good to have some kind of a plan in place – jobs you’d like to get round to – even if things do not quite turn out as planned. Of course, the garden jobs this week will depend very much on where you live.Continue reading “Garden Plans for the Weekend”
First Vaccine Dose and Feeling Fine
I do not know how many of you have yet been fortunate enough to receive your first Covid 19 vaccination. But if any of you are going to get your vaccine soon, I thought I would write a brief post to reassure you. I went yesterday evening to our local vaccination point. It was aContinue reading “First Vaccine Dose and Feeling Fine”
Reasons To Start Vermicomposting
Vermicomposting is composting with the help of special worms. But why is composting with worms such a good idea? Why should we choose vermicomposting rather than a different type of composting system? For Quick & Successful Compost Creation Setting up a wormery and enlisting wriggling helpers to aid in composting can speed up the processContinue reading “Reasons To Start Vermicomposting”
Camping or Glamping Sites
I am about to start work on a new permaculture design project, and it has got me thinking about camping and glamping sites in general. Offering sustainable accommodation on your property is one other way to diversify your income streams and make money from your land. A well designed site is not just an opportunityContinue reading “Camping or Glamping Sites”
Choosing Ground Cover For Silvo-Pasture Systems
Silvo pasture is a great strategy for sustainable livestock farming. It simply involves integrating trees into pasture landscape design. The trees may be orchard trees which provide additional yields from the land. Or they may be native trees chosen to enrich the soil, boost biodiversity, or simply to provide shade for the livestock below. ManyContinue reading “Choosing Ground Cover For Silvo-Pasture Systems”
Zero Waste Gardening For Beginners
In your garden, as in your home, it is important to think about how you can minimise waste. Zero waste is about what we buy for use in our gardens. But it is also about how we use our gardens to minimise the amount we consume from the outside world, and the waste we generateContinue reading “Zero Waste Gardening For Beginners”
Case Study: Family Garden Planting Plan
This is a portion of a recent project in Georgia, US, that might be of interest to some other home gardeners. This was a suggested design for polyculture beds to maximise productivity in an area of approximately 60 x 30ft. The goal was to produce plenty of annual/biennial crops in addition to cut flowers forContinue reading “Case Study: Family Garden Planting Plan”
Creating a Garden For Mental Health
There are many reasons why gardening and growing your own are good for you. Growing your own food can help you eat more healthily, and get some gentle exercise perhaps. But gardening is also extremely good for mind as well as body. It can help you improve the state of your mental health. Growing yourContinue reading “Creating a Garden For Mental Health”
Global Risks and Risk Mitigation
Though I usually prefer to focus on the positive, and constructive solutions, forewarned is fore-armed. We need to know what risks we face in order to be able to find a safe and sustainable pathway forwards. Global preparedness is key. The WEF’s Global Risks Report makes for a sobering read. But it is important toContinue reading “Global Risks and Risk Mitigation”
What a Permaculture Eco Village Should Achieve
Following on from yesterday’s post, I thought it might be helpful to talk about the goals of a permaculture eco village. In addition to adhering to the core ethics and principles of permaculture, a permaculture eco village should: Allow and enable co-operation in various enterprises and associations. Provide for the material needs of inhabitants. (Food,Continue reading “What a Permaculture Eco Village Should Achieve”
Village Creation in Permaculture
One of the ways in which permaculture seeks to create a co-operative paradigm and upholds permaculture ethics is through creating communities. When like-minded people congregate geographically, they are better able to meet their own basic needs in ways which are consistent with a permaculture way of life, and benefit from collaboration and the pooling ofContinue reading “Village Creation in Permaculture”
The Trilemma of the World Economy – A Permaculture Perspective
Today, I thought it would be interesting to take a look at how permaculture seeks to reconcile the three pillars of globalisation, the idea of the nation state, and democracy. This question is sometimes framed as a political ‘trilemma’. It is argued that we cannot have all three at once, but can only have twoContinue reading “The Trilemma of the World Economy – A Permaculture Perspective”
Happy Valentine’s Day
Whether you are celebrating with a loved one, or spending time alone – I hope you are having a good day. My husband and I have had a quiet day. We went down to the local farm shop and have had a lovely meal. Other than that, we’ve just spent a little time in theContinue reading “Happy Valentine’s Day”
Case Study: Simple Homestead Permaculture Design
This case study shows my recent design for a family homestead in Willamette Valley, Oregon. This is a fertile agricultural area, where a wide range of crops are grown. The site is currently predominantly pasture land. Though historically vegetable crops were grown on part of the site, it has become neglected in recent years. ToContinue reading “Case Study: Simple Homestead Permaculture Design”
What is a Polyculture and Why Create One?
A polyculture is a diverse companion planting scheme which incorporates a number of carefully chosen plants. In your garden, it is important to avoid mono-cropping. Just as on a farm, mono-cropping in a garden can increase the likelihood of pests and disease taking hold. And when you plant just potatoes in one bed, for example,Continue reading “What is a Polyculture and Why Create One?”
Improve Your Home Work Space – The Sustainable Way
As someone who has worked from home for years, I know how important it is to have a suitable spot to spend your working hours. But I know that many people who started working from home during the pandemic have struggled to create a space that really works for them. Today, I thought I wouldContinue reading “Improve Your Home Work Space – The Sustainable Way”
Reasons To Create a Pond On Your Property
Most people are very aware of the benefits of attracting wildlife to their gardens or farms. One of the very best ways to attract beneficial wildlife in many temperate climate locations is to make a wildlife pond. No matter how large or small your garden may be, you could create a small pond for wildlife.Continue reading “Reasons To Create a Pond On Your Property”
Have You Started Sowing Yet?
Winter is, of course, still in full flow. But here though there is snow on the ground outside – actually quite a few inches – I have quite a few seeds germinating and seeds growing on my windowsills. Some will stay indoors for quite some time. While others will head out into the polytunnel someContinue reading “Have You Started Sowing Yet?”
Bring Colour and Cheer to Your Garden
Most of us have had a difficult year, and are surrounded by uncertainty. But having a garden means we have the opportunity to shape our immediate environment to bring some cheer. Obviously, as a permaculture designer, I know that there are many other things that a garden can provide. But sometimes, it is nice toContinue reading “Bring Colour and Cheer to Your Garden”
The Importance of Soil – Whether You Garden or Not
Whether you are a gardener or not, soil is essential for you. Globally, we treat soil like dirt. But soil is vital to our lives, and in dismissing it, we fail to recognise the important role it plays in safeguarding our future. We abuse and neglect it at our peril. Most people are fully awareContinue reading “The Importance of Soil – Whether You Garden or Not”
Case Study: Ecuador Permaculture Plan
This plan is for a (largely) self-sufficient farm in the Carchi Province in the north of Ecuador. The site is around 13.3 acres (53879.50 m2), and is situated in the Mira Canton at an elevation of between 2200 and 2215m. The site is currently used to grow corn, and large greenhouses are used to growContinue reading “Case Study: Ecuador Permaculture Plan”
Sustainable Tourism Requires Sustainable Communities
Though we are still in lockdown at the moment, people are looking ahead. Those involved in the tourism industry, and those with an interest in eco travel are considering the future. Not just ‘return to normal’ – but how we can implement a green recovery. There is a growing awareness that tourism and travel inContinue reading “Sustainable Tourism Requires Sustainable Communities”
Choosing a New Home – A Permaculture Approach
If you are looking for a new home, sustainability might not be the first thing on your mind. But it can be helpful to approach the problem from a permaculture perspective. The right home can have all the ingredients you need for a more sustainable, ethical and eco-friendly way of life. But choosing the wrongContinue reading “Choosing a New Home – A Permaculture Approach”
Analysing Risk In Sustainability
Analysing what could go wrong is a major part of planning for a sustainable future. When it comes to our climate crisis, much of the planning we must do revolves around understanding future risks and making plans to avoid them where possible, and mitigate their effects where we cannot. There are many shocks that canContinue reading “Analysing Risk In Sustainability”
Growing Cities – Bridging the Gulf Between Urban and Rural
Around the world, cities are growing. This puts immense pressure on resources and requires a re-think of cityscapes to accommodate, provide for the food, energy and water needs of urban inhabitants. But the pressures inherent to growing cities does not only put strain on the cities themselves, but also poses a potential threat in risingContinue reading “Growing Cities – Bridging the Gulf Between Urban and Rural”
Travel the World Without Leaving Home
Whole worlds are accessible without even stepping out of your front door. While obviously our physical movement is curtailed right now, that does not mean we are limited in where we can travel in our minds, and in today’s hyperconnected world, there are new ways of finding inspiration right there our living rooms. Thinking aboutContinue reading “Travel the World Without Leaving Home”
Sustainable Valentine’s Day Ideas
Valentine’s Day should not be about store-bought cards, chocolates shipped halfway across the world, and hot-house flowers. It should be about simply spending some quality time with the one you love. Sustainable Valentine’s Day date ideas are often those which allow you to reject things in favour of experiences. Whether you are enjoying the firstContinue reading “Sustainable Valentine’s Day Ideas”
Case Study: Woodland Craft Community
In this permaculture design, you can see the overall plan for a planned community in the UK. The goal is for a group of three households to come together to create a community based around woodland restoration, wood craft and the use and sale of non-timber forest products. Part of the site is already denselyContinue reading “Case Study: Woodland Craft Community”
How To Make Bench Bed Edging For a Raised Bed
Making a bench bed edging for a raised bed can be one way to make the most of your space for food production and relaxation. So here are some potential ideas to help you create this type of raised bed edging: Create A Bench Seat From Reclaimed Timber One simple way to make bench seatingContinue reading “How To Make Bench Bed Edging For a Raised Bed”
Tips For Small Space Gardeners
Those who were interested by my last case study may also be interested in this article I wrote for those who are tackling the problem of lack of space: How To Get the Most From a Small Garden Of course, my goal here is not to give a ‘one size fits all’ solution, but ratherContinue reading “Tips For Small Space Gardeners”
The Importance of Pioneer Trees
I’ve spoken a lot before on this site about the vital role that trees play in permaculture design and ecosystem restoration. But some of you may be interested in this recent article I wrote outlining the basics of pioneer trees. The Importance of Pioneer Trees for Forest Gardens and Other Purposes Trees are always onContinue reading “The Importance of Pioneer Trees”
Overcoming Obstacles in a Kitchen Garden – A Few Examples
One of the key roles of permaculture is showing how, by following certain ethics and principles, we can work towards overcoming obstacles – in food production and in other areas of our lives. Today, as many work towards creating their kitchen garden, or making a plan for the coming year, I thought it might beContinue reading “Overcoming Obstacles in a Kitchen Garden – A Few Examples”
Additional Elements For a Food Producing Garden
For a typical food producing garden, creating the growing area or areas will be top of the agenda. But this month, as you are planning your new food producing garden, it could be helpful to think about other elements you should include. In addition to creating an area in your garden where you can growContinue reading “Additional Elements For a Food Producing Garden”
Garden Seating Area Ideas for Outdoors Living
Those of us who love the natural world will always seek to spend as much time outdoors in our gardens as we can – even during the coldest months. So today, I thought I would take some time to discuss a few sustainable garden ideas for outdoors living – projects that we might like toContinue reading “Garden Seating Area Ideas for Outdoors Living”
Case Study: Small Space Garden
If you do not have much space, it is more important than ever to make the most of every inch. In this simple case study you can see my quick design for a small yard area of only around 8.5 sq m, sandwiched between a house and the pavement on the intersection of two streetsContinue reading “Case Study: Small Space Garden”
Do You Need a Greenhouse or Polytunnel?
If you are new to growing your own, and plan on creating a new food producing garden, one thing that you might be thinking about is whether you need a greenhouse or polytunnel. The answer, of course, will depend on your specific situation and needs. But in many temperate climate situations, I would most definitelyContinue reading “Do You Need a Greenhouse or Polytunnel?”
Sustainable Food Hubs – Why We Need Them and The Role You Could Play
Our current food system needs to be overhauled. Farmers and food producers will not need to be told that their efforts are often currently hugely undervalued. Environmentalists will no doubt be well aware of the problems inherent in current agricultural and food systems. Those living in food deserts will already know well the injustice inherentContinue reading “Sustainable Food Hubs – Why We Need Them and The Role You Could Play”
Beyond Profit and Financial Cost – Looking at Real Value
When it comes to economics, profit has historically been king. But one of the things that we all have to learn, as a global society, is that real value does not lie in financial profit and endless growth. We need to learn to look at the cost of things not just in terms of money,Continue reading “Beyond Profit and Financial Cost – Looking at Real Value”
Why Choose Heritage Seeds?
At this time of year, many gardeners are turning their attention to ordering seeds to sow in spring. So I thought this could be a good time to talk briefly about why it is a good idea to grow heritage seeds. Heritage seeds are seeds which have been bred, often over a long period ofContinue reading “Why Choose Heritage Seeds?”
How Large Should a Beginner Garden Be?
If you are new to growing your own, you might be contemplating creating a sustainable food producing garden for the first time this year. Many people feel a little overwhelmed when they start to consider creating a garden to grow their own for the first time. But it is important to recognise that gardens comeContinue reading “How Large Should a Beginner Garden Be?”
Market Gardening Tips
Making money is, of course, not the be all and end all. Permaculture food production can add value in many, more important ways. When trying to work out the value a permaculture scheme can add, it is important not to only think about money. It is also important to consider the environmental and social valueContinue reading “Market Gardening Tips”
Case Study: Market Garden Permaculture Design
This is a design for a 1/2 acre market garden. As you might expect, the primary goal for this design is to grow a range of edible produce for household use and for sale. One challenge is that the site is not grid connected, so water and energy were top priorities. This design is aContinue reading “Case Study: Market Garden Permaculture Design”
Energy Generation in Permaculture Plans
If you are making a plan for your garden, homestead or farm site, food production is likely to be your primary concern. But before you commit to creating your designs, it could be a good idea to think about how you might be able to integrate energy generation. In permaculture, of course, we always tryContinue reading “Energy Generation in Permaculture Plans”
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