This is a design for a brownfield site in an inner city area in the UK (USDA Zone 8). To the north and east are apartment buildings and there is an existing car park to the north east. To the west and south are busy roads, major conduits through a busy residential area. The areaContinue reading “Case Study: Community Hub”
Author Archives: Elizabeth Waddington
What City Parks Could and Should Be
City parks can often be green lungs for their settlements. They can be important spaces for recreation, and provide a place to connect with nature in an urban jungle. But unfortunately, looking around the world, it is clear that many city parks are not meeting their full potential. Many are unfortunately dominated by paved areas,Continue reading “What City Parks Could and Should Be”
Donations Welcomed To Spread Permaculture Ideas
Today I was very glad to receive a tip from a permaculture design client. As I mentioned to my client, I view this tip as a donation. The donations I receive through this website and from my clients enable me to spend some of my time working on permaculture designs and providing consultancy for thoseContinue reading “Donations Welcomed To Spread Permaculture Ideas”
How To Support Sustainable Farmers and Food Producers
One of the big questions that we need to ask ourselves as we transition to a fairer, greener future is how we can make life better for sustainable farmers and food producers. The current agricultural systems have to change. But we cannot make that change without providing support for sustainable farmers and food producers. SupportContinue reading “How To Support Sustainable Farmers and Food Producers”
Sustainable Living – What Needs To Change as We Return to ‘Normal’?
Today, due to underlying health conditions, I will be receiving my second vaccination. I will be heading out for that shortly. Of course, for most people globally, there will be no return to any form of normal for quite some time to come. I realise even more at times like these how lucky I amContinue reading “Sustainable Living – What Needs To Change as We Return to ‘Normal’?”
Rewilding Ourselves as Well as the Environment
As I was walking through farmland and woods out the back of our house today, it struck me just how divorced most of us are from the real ‘wild’. Wilderness is something that is in short supply in many of our environments. And it is also something that is in short supply in our livesContinue reading “Rewilding Ourselves as Well as the Environment”
Pesto is Not Just Something to Do With Basil
Basil pesto is a versatile option for a range of recipes. But it is worthwhile remembering that you can make pesto with a range of other ingredients. Today, for example, I made a ‘weed’ pesto, with nettles, sorrel, and a few other leafy greens from the forest garden, blended with with some seeds, some oliveContinue reading “Pesto is Not Just Something to Do With Basil”
Case Studies: Looking Back on a Year of Progress
It has been a year since I set up and started posting on this website, and I am glad to look back on all the designs and projects I have worked on in the last year. Though this has of course been a difficult year for many of us, there have been plenty of reasonsContinue reading “Case Studies: Looking Back on a Year of Progress”
Setting Up a Sustainable Water Collection System in a Garden
I have spoken before about the importance of harvesting rainwater in your garden. Collecting rainwater from the roof of your home, and any other garden structures, is a great way to make sure you catch and store this precious natural resource. Our private water supply (which comes onto our property from the surrounding estate, fromContinue reading “Setting Up a Sustainable Water Collection System in a Garden”
Ideas for Outdoors Dining
Many people are looking forward to being able to welcome friends and family back into their gardens, and spending time together. Now is a great time to make sure your garden is ready for entertaining and picture perfect by the time the warmer weather arrives. I usually focus on the practical side of gardens –Continue reading “Ideas for Outdoors Dining”