As winter and the dormant phase approaches, you may well be undertaking a wide range of pruning jobs in your garden. I’d like to take a moment to explore what you can do with the branches you prune. Even on a small property, you can have quite a lot of wood from pruning – especiallyContinue reading “How To Use Pruned Branches From Your Garden”
Author Archives: Elizabeth Waddington
The Benefits of Clay Plaster
In our steading/ barn conversion, we are aiming to use materials and finishes that are as eco-friendly and sustainable as possible. One step we are taking to make a healthy and sustainable build is using clay plaster. In finishing one wall prior to the arrival of our Rayburn (delivery has been delayed but it isContinue reading “The Benefits of Clay Plaster”
Case Study: Sustainable Community of Kin Domains, Jamaica
The image above is part of a permaculture plan for a retreat of around 20 acres, and a further 30 acres divided into 15 two acre kin domains or family homesteads. A sustainable project in Hanover county in Jamaica. Designed to protect, restore and nourish people and planet on this 58 acre site. The siteContinue reading “Case Study: Sustainable Community of Kin Domains, Jamaica”
How Much Land Do You Need For a Homestead?
One common question people ask when looking for a more self-sufficient and sustainable way of life is how much land they need. To be honest, one might as well ask “how long is a piece of string?”. Before we can begin to answer this question, we need to ask a series of questions: Where isContinue reading “How Much Land Do You Need For a Homestead?”
Preserving Food – Deciding What To Can
Canning your own home grown food can be a great way to enjoy the nutrients of summer over the winter months. It is of course important to make sure that you are canning safely, and adhering to guidelines to make sure that the food you preserve lasts and is safe to eat. But in thisContinue reading “Preserving Food – Deciding What To Can”
How We’ll Heat Our Eco Barn Renovation
While we’re both still working full time, my husband and I are working on the renovation of an old steading, or old stone barn. We’re doing most of the work ourselves – slowly – on weekends and the occasional evening. Today, I thought I would take a moment to explain how we’ll heat our newContinue reading “How We’ll Heat Our Eco Barn Renovation”
The Role of ‘Duty’ in Sustainability
The word ‘duty’ is often viewed as having negative connotations. It is often held in opposition to the ideas of personal freedom. Sometimes, people view it as an encumbrance – something that limits our potential and makes it more challenging to do what we want to do. But ‘duty’ is a concept that deserves toContinue reading “The Role of ‘Duty’ in Sustainability”
Pasteurising Apple Juice
One of our favourite ways to use up our bumper apple crop from the forest garden is to make apple juice. In a previous post, I already mentioned our fruit press, which is essential to us in being able to make the most of all our apples. We have a range of different apple varietiesContinue reading “Pasteurising Apple Juice”
Autumn Foraging
In addition to the main autumn crops, apples and more, it is also well worthwhile working out what your autumn surroundings can provide. Even if you don’t have a garden full of food, your local area might provide a wide range of yields. Both in my own garden, and in the surrounding area, we canContinue reading “Autumn Foraging”
Case Study: Colourful Polyculture Design
This simple design for a series of garden beds was created for a client in London, who wished to amend and accentuate an existing planting scheme with more edible and colourful plants. Particularly, the client wished to add colourful foliage, with plenty of different vegetation to brighten up the green and year-round interest. Often, weContinue reading “Case Study: Colourful Polyculture Design”
EWSP Consultancy 