I have been watching a few history programmes recently that have made me think about the concepts of ‘barbarian’ and ‘savagery’. And about the meaning of primitive culture. The implications of the words and how they are applied can tell us a lot about the prejudices and misconceptions of history, and people in the modernContinue reading “‘Barbarians’, ‘Savagery’ and ‘Primitive’ Society”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Case Study: Formal French Potager Style Garden
I think there is an impression that in a permaculture garden, nothing can be straight or orderly. But in this design which I created for a client in Idaho who wanted a more formal and neat design, you can see that earth-friendly design and methodologies can be implemented in different styles. In the notes providedContinue reading “Case Study: Formal French Potager Style Garden”
This is Not a Time for Complacency
A number of times in recent days, I have been somewhat alarmed by what seems to be the general consensus that the Covid 19 pandemic has ‘given nature some respite’, and the widespread belief that curtailment of human activity has led to big wins in terms of our climate crisis. Some people seem to beContinue reading “This is Not a Time for Complacency”
Chickweed: A Weed You Want in Your Garden
I know that most gardeners moan at the sight of even a single weed, and rip them all out as soon as they appear. But my garden has lots of weeds – and I love them. Yes, even in the vegetable beds. While not all weeds, of course, are desirable, there are plenty of weedsContinue reading “Chickweed: A Weed You Want in Your Garden”
Hedging Bets and Avoiding Losses in the Garden
This week, I have been very grateful for the fact that I have built up some resilience in my garden systems, and have been careful, through permaculture approaches and careful planning, not to put all my eggs in one basket. We have had a very late and rather unexpected cold snap, with night time temperaturesContinue reading “Hedging Bets and Avoiding Losses in the Garden”
Managing Time Effectively in a Busy Gardening Period
April is one of the busiest times in the gardening year where I live. And it is the same for many others too. There are so many seeds to sow this month, others to pot on or harden off and plant out, perennials to plant out and some to divide, general garden maintenance jobs, and,Continue reading “Managing Time Effectively in a Busy Gardening Period”
How Much Do You Buy in a Year?
When trying to live in a more sustainable way, reducing waste and minimising your negative impact on people and planet, what you choose to buy is one of the most important things. We all have to remember that a lot of our power as individuals comes from what we choose to buy (and what weContinue reading “How Much Do You Buy in a Year?”
A Sustainable Celebration of Spring
Happy Easter to those of you celebrating today. We have enjoyed a sustainable celebration today – a celebration of spring (even though tonight we are expecting a heavy frost and it feels a little as though winter is trying to return)! No matter your beliefs, spring can be a time of celebration. A time forContinue reading “A Sustainable Celebration of Spring”
April Sowing, Growing and Harvesting
This is a busy time of the year in the garden. Though I have to be careful here about not planting anything out or sowing too early, before the last frosts, there is plenty going on. I have held off on some sowing and planting outdoors this week because some relatively late frosts are expectedContinue reading “April Sowing, Growing and Harvesting”
Freedom and What We Do With It
Our chickens are finally out of their own lockdown today. They had to be confined to a covered run due to bird flu. So, as many of us have been locked down to a degree over the last months, our hens also did not have the freedom they are used to. They have very muchContinue reading “Freedom and What We Do With It”
EWSP Consultancy 