Attracting Butterflies in a Garden

One of the most important things in organic gardening is, of course, making sure that we welcome in wildlife in our gardens. Butterflies are one of the many creatures that we should aim to attract. In addition to the ecological services they provide, butterflies are, of course, attractive creatures. Seeing them alighting on our flowersContinue reading “Attracting Butterflies in a Garden”

Galium Aparine – A Useful Wild Edible and Tonic Plant

Galium aparine is a ‘weed’ which goes by a lot of different names. We always called it stickywilly when I was growing up, and it is also called goosegrass, sticky weed, or cleavers. All of its names refer to the way in which it sticks, velcro-like, to everything – adhering itself to our clothes asContinue reading “Galium Aparine – A Useful Wild Edible and Tonic Plant”

Remember – Consumers Have the Power to Drive Sustainable Change

When faced with companies and governments who do not necessarily do as much as we need and want them to do when it comes to sustainability, it is common for people to wonder what they, as individuals, could possibly do. It can be frustrating when the ‘powers that be’ are not doing enough. But weContinue reading “Remember – Consumers Have the Power to Drive Sustainable Change”

Using Leftovers and Preventing Food Waste

Food waste should be a major concern for anyone who wants to live a more sustainable way of life. Huge amounts of food are wasted across the developed world, much of that food at household level. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to reduce food waste at home – from considering what and whereContinue reading “Using Leftovers and Preventing Food Waste”

Organic Liquid Plant Feeds

Today, I took some time to use some of my homemade compost tea on some of the plants in my polytunnel and in pots, to give them a boost as the weather finally begins to warm up where we live. This is a general-purpose feed which I tend to use a few times over theContinue reading “Organic Liquid Plant Feeds”

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”