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”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
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”
Forest Garden Update: Gooseberries, Comfrey, Nettles and More
Today I spent the afternoon in the forest garden, so I thought this could be a good time to give you an update from this area. Everything is going wild – with lots to harvest and plenty more on the way. The main jobs today were harvesting gooseberries, clearing things up a little, and harvestingContinue reading “Forest Garden Update: Gooseberries, Comfrey, Nettles and More”
Why I Love Mange Tout/ Snow peas/ Snap Peas
I don’t have a huge amount of space in my vegetable garden, so I want the plants I grow to work hard for me and provide as high a yield as possible. I grow and have grown a number of different shelling or podding peas in my garden. But today, having just harvested a bigContinue reading “Why I Love Mange Tout/ Snow peas/ Snap Peas”
How I Spend My Summer
I know that many people are keen to get away, yet many will not be enjoying their usual summer holidays away this year. So I thought that some people might appreciate learning a little more about how I typically spend my summer, for some inspiration about how to enjoy summer breaks in a more sustainableContinue reading “How I Spend My Summer”
Sustainable Picnic Ideas
Picnics are a wonderful way to enjoy time outdoors during the summer months. So whether you are planning a picnic in your own garden, or will be taking a picnic to a natural beauty spot in your area, here are some sustainable picnic ideas to consider: First of all, take a look at the foodContinue reading “Sustainable Picnic Ideas”
Sustainable Coffee?
Fairtrade? Rainforest alliance?… where should you turn when looking for a sustainable coffee for your morning cup? It can be challenging trying to navigate the minefield and find the most sustainable options for all the foods and drinks you enjoy. And when you do not live in a coffee producing area, it is worthwhile alsoContinue reading “Sustainable Coffee?”
Why Gooseberries are One of My Favourite Fruit Bushes
Ribes ulva-crispa, gooseberries, are an excellent fruit bush for my climate and location. They grow prolifically, yield well every year, and are very easy to propagate. (I have expanded my number of plants by taking hardwood cuttings, which have rooted well.) They are native to temperate areas of Europe, and have been cultivated in theContinue reading “Why Gooseberries are One of My Favourite Fruit Bushes”