Competition is something that we tend to think about in different contexts. But in garden design, it can be useful to think about competition too. Competition is a normal part of nature – and just like in a social context, it is something that can be beneficial or something which can hinder progress. One ofContinue reading “Competition’s Role in Garden Design”
Author Archives: Elizabeth Waddington
Projects to Aid Winter Growing
While winter can still seem quite far off some days, we are nearly in October, and for us where we live, that means that we are likely to experience the first frosts in around a month to two months time. It can vary quite a lot. Sometimes our first frosts are in late October, sometimesContinue reading “Projects to Aid Winter Growing”
Sustainable Autumn Activities
Autumn is, in many ways, my favourite season. Even though the weather is turning and the nights are drawing in, I find this one of the most beautiful seasons. I love the changing foliage, the soft, golden light, and the warm tones of late season flowers. Of course, I also love the fruit-filled abundance ofContinue reading “Sustainable Autumn Activities”
Practicing What We Preach
In the run up to COP26, the UN Climate Change Conference of Parties, it is more important than ever that we move from paying lip service to sustainability and tackling our climate crisis to real and lasting action. It is very easy for politicians and those in the public eye to say the ‘right things’.Continue reading “Practicing What We Preach”
Sustainability – From Scratch
I am always trying to persuade people how rewarding it can be to make things for yourself and do things for yourself from scratch. Often, taking a DIY approach and taking that little extra time to work from scratch rather than buying things in can be the best way to start to live more sustainably.Continue reading “Sustainability – From Scratch”
Case Study: Shared Tenement Garden
Shared gardens can often be boring and largely featureless spaces, which, in attempting to please everyone, actually please no-one. These spaces have to do a lot. But careful collaboration between all stakeholders or garden users can create truly abundant, productive and beautiful spaces. This is my design for a garden in Scotland shared by fourContinue reading “Case Study: Shared Tenement Garden”
Reducing Energy Bills at Home
Many people at the moment are worried about how much their energy will cost this winter. I won’t get into the energy situation here and now, but I thought it might be helpful to make a few simple suggestions to help anyone, even renters, reduce their energy bills at home: Heat only rooms that needContinue reading “Reducing Energy Bills at Home”
A Sustainable Future for Forestry
Mono-crop timber tree plantations certainly aren’t forests. A true forest has biodiversity and is a complex web of life where all the elements within the system work together in a wide range of complex ways. When we hear about ‘sustainable forestry’, all too often, this is sadly a misnomer. Simply replacing sufficient trees after someContinue reading “A Sustainable Future for Forestry”
Tools I Use When Harvesting and Prepping Apples
Harvesting apples from multiple trees can take quite a lot of time. But using certain tools can make things a lot quicker and easier. Here are the apple picking and prepping tools/equipment that I would not be without: A fruit picker. I have a long-handled one which allows me to reach the tops of ourContinue reading “Tools I Use When Harvesting and Prepping Apples”
Turning On A Tap
Today we were able to turn on a tap in the bathroom in the barn conversion for the first time, since my husband finished installing the fittings and connecting the bath waste. So we have running water in there for the first time in this self-build conversion. There is not yet any hot water, sinceContinue reading “Turning On A Tap”