Snow and Frost in the Forest Garden

The forest garden does not, perhaps, look at its best at this time of the year. Nor is it at its most productive. But there is a beauty to the garden in the winter too. Here are few pictures I took on Friday night, to capture the snowy scene before it all melts, as itContinue reading “Snow and Frost in the Forest Garden”

Growing Your Own – Is Forest Gardening Right For You?

When most people think about growing their own, they think first about growing annual crops. Most people think of food production, it involves growing a range of common fruits and vegetables in kitchen gardens, in the ground, in raised beds, or in containers. But as those who are familiar with forest gardening will know, theseContinue reading “Growing Your Own – Is Forest Gardening Right For You?”

Keeping Focus on Sustainability

The pandemic, assaults on democracy, division and discord: there are plenty of things that can make it difficult to focus on sustainability. But the changes we must have are sweeping and urgent, and it is important that we remain dedicated to positive change. One might imagine that environmental concerns would fade in face of otherContinue reading “Keeping Focus on Sustainability”

Creating Garden Rooms in a Permaculture Design

Garden rooms are a ‘trendy’ feature of modern garden design. The idea basically involves compartmentalising a garden into a series of outdoors rooms. This helps blend the inside and outside of your home. It makes it easier to properly make use of the whole of the space available, and can allow you to play withContinue reading “Creating Garden Rooms in a Permaculture Design”

Sowing Tomatoes and Peppers Indoors

In a cool climate, sowing tomatoes and peppers indoors is often one of the first sowing jobs of the gardening year. Sowing these summer crops when we are still in the depths of winter might sound a little odd. But in areas with a short growing season, getting sowing soon can allow you to makeContinue reading “Sowing Tomatoes and Peppers Indoors”

Can You Design Your Own Garden?

As a permaculture garden designer, I have created designs for many gardens. But I am also happy to help others to design their own gardens. I believe that when it comes down to the question of whether or not professional help is required, it is important to take a case-by-case approach. I often get theContinue reading “Can You Design Your Own Garden?”

Back To Work

Tomorrow morning I will be getting back to work after my break for the festive season. My husband and I have been working on our barn conversion for the last week, and our slow project is coming along well. But I am now ready and excited to get back to work on a number ofContinue reading “Back To Work”

How To Plan Properly For Sustainable Living

New Year’s resolutions are a good place to start when trying to create a green living plan. It’s good to have goals, as they will set the direction in which you wish to go. But goals are not the be all and end all. I’m sure many of you have started a year with veryContinue reading “How To Plan Properly For Sustainable Living”

10 Resolutions for a More Sustainable 2021

Happy New Year! This is a great time to retrench, and confirm your commitment to a more sustainable way of life. So to get things started on the right foot, here are ten sustainable new year’s resolutions you may wish to consider: Grow at least some of your own food at home. Make sure foodContinue reading “10 Resolutions for a More Sustainable 2021”

What Needs To Change in 2021

As we reach the end of this difficult year, we need to look back and look forward. We need to think about what needs to change. By looking back over what has gone wrong, and what we could all do better, we can begin to not just rebuild, but to forge the future we wantContinue reading “What Needs To Change in 2021”