Today I thought I would share with you some of my favourite plants which can produce food in shade that is more than just light, dappled shade below fruit trees. The first example is one I have in my own forest garden: mahonia. Also known as Oregon Grape, I realise that this may not beContinue reading “Producing Food in Deeper Shade”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Hazel – Excellent Coppicing Trees
Coppicing can be an extremely useful way to manage trees on a permaculture property and yet many fail to consider the potential to make use of trees in this way. But coppicing trees can be a good strategy on a commercial scale and on larger farms, or in small home gardens. In small gardens, consideringContinue reading “Hazel – Excellent Coppicing Trees”
Breaking Reliance on External Inputs
A well designed garden or farm does not require external inputs once established. Many growers have become reliant on fertilisers (synthetic or bought organic options) and external materials such as composts, mulches. Most buy new plants, seeds etc. over time. But once a truly sustainable system has been established, the garden should be a closedContinue reading “Breaking Reliance on External Inputs”
How to Build Resilience: The Key Challenge for Farmers and Growers
Today we are experiencing a deluge, and some areas fairly close to us have experienced some flooding. And this comes after a spring that was very difficult for farmers in our area, with a late, cold start to spring, followed by a near drought. While dry weather in spring is quite common here, this yearContinue reading “How to Build Resilience: The Key Challenge for Farmers and Growers”
Garden Visit
Yesterday we had a day out and went to visit a local garden in our area – Cambo Gardens. Not everything is perfect and the place is definitely a work in progress at the moment, but as you can see, there are still some lovely views. Some areas are mulched ready for new planting, andContinue reading “Garden Visit”
The Importance of Topography in Permaculture Design
Topography -essentially the shape of the piece of land – is one factor often overlooked in permaculture design. In small gardens, topography may not be a huge defining factor – the space my be flat and level. However, in many larger designs, and even in some smaller ones, slope, elevation and other topographical features can,Continue reading “The Importance of Topography in Permaculture Design”
Drying Herbs – Which Herbs I Dry
Some culinary herbs, I can pick from my garden all year round. But some have a much shorter season. Even those that are around all year, I sometimes like to dry – sometimes because of the different flavour they impart in cooking, and sometimes because it is just easier to use dried herbs when cookingContinue reading “Drying Herbs – Which Herbs I Dry”
Sustainable Hair Rinses From the Garden
I have very long hair, and I have not bought shampoo or conditioner in years. Many people are now realising, like me, that they do not need to buy lots of bathroom products in plastic bottles. You can take a ‘no poo’ approach. People get used to using commercial products in their hair. But likeContinue reading “Sustainable Hair Rinses From the Garden”
Don’t Deadhead All Your Roses
Traditional gardeners will often tell you to deadhead all your roses. Many gardeners will zealously deadhead their roses throughout the growing season, no matter what type of rose they are dealing with. But deadheading too zealously can mean that you lose out on rose hips later in the year. I do deadhead some repeat-flowering shrubContinue reading “Don’t Deadhead All Your Roses”
Gooseberry and Elderflower Cordial
Tonight I will be using some of the gooseberries I harvested at the weekend along with some elderflowers from my garden to make a gooseberry and elderflower cordial. This is an easy recipe and I thought I would share with you how I make this refreshing drink. I have made some juice already, with 1kgContinue reading “Gooseberry and Elderflower Cordial”
EWSP Consultancy 