Midsummer Garden

Yesterday was a beautiful midsummer day. After a long country walk, I spent plenty of time keeping on top of things in the garden. Midsummer is a time of abundance – plenty of things are already being harvested, and everything seems so lush and green. Leafy greens – kale, chard, spinach, lettuce, etc. have beenContinue reading “Midsummer Garden”

Sustainability is For Everyone – No One Left Behind

Sustainability and the environmental movement are spheres that are often perceived as far too white and far too middle class. As a white woman, living in a relatively enlightened and developed nation, I know I am privileged in many ways. I am acutely aware of the challenges in making sure that sustainability is not excludingContinue reading “Sustainability is For Everyone – No One Left Behind”

Steps Toward Sustainability You Might Not Have Considered

There are plenty of small steps we can all take a live a more sustainable way of life. Of course, growing and eating sustainably, and refusing, reducing, reusing, repairing and recycling are all very important. But there are also other ways to live more sustainably. And some of them are things you might not yetContinue reading “Steps Toward Sustainability You Might Not Have Considered”

Preserving Food – Sustainable Solutions

Recently, I have been spending quite a lot of time preserving some of the early summer harvests from my garden. For example, I’ve been making plenty of gooseberry jam. (My recipe is simple – 1.5kg underripe green gooseberries, 1kg sugar (for a pretty sweet jam). Reduce the sugar to taste for a tarter option. )Continue reading “Preserving Food – Sustainable Solutions”

The Importance of Seasonal Eating

Growing your own is obviously a great way to eat more sustainably. But most of us will not be able to grow all of our own food. We are really lucky here, because we are able to grow quite lot in our polytunnel and polyculture vegetable beds, and of course in our forest garden. ButContinue reading “The Importance of Seasonal Eating”

Skill Building – Top Skills For Sustainability

Re-skilling is essential if society is to transition to a sustainable future. If we look at how people lived a hundred years ago, we will see a range of stark differences. One of the things that has changed is that most people are more reliant on outside resources, and less able to do things forContinue reading “Skill Building – Top Skills For Sustainability”

Marvellous Moss

Mosses are very common in humid temperate climates. But many look past these incredibly useful and fascinating plants. Moss is considered by some to be an unwanted addition to a garden or outside space. But here, we actively embrace it. As well as seeing some on mature trees, we also see plenty on stones andContinue reading “Marvellous Moss”

Plastic Free Kitchen

Food packaging generally accounts for most of the plastic waste generated in most households, so the kitchen seems like a good place to begin. Reduce Plastic Packaging Reduce packaged food consumption by growing at least some of your own food. Buy unpackaged, local, organic produce wherever possible. Farm shops, wholesalers, local veg. box schemes.  TakeContinue reading “Plastic Free Kitchen”

Appreciating Natural Beauty is Key To Sustainability

Over this difficult period, I have been spending plenty of time in my garden. And though there has been plenty of hard work – there has also been plenty of relaxation. Whether it is in your own garden, or at a local park or beauty spot, taking some to appreciate natural beauty is key. IContinue reading “Appreciating Natural Beauty is Key To Sustainability”

Renewable Energy – Using Solar Energy is Not All About PV Panels

One day, you might be thinking, you’ll have the money to invest in photo-voltaic solar panels for your home. Many people want to start generating electricity renewably at home. But of course, this can be expensive. While you save up for this sustainable solution, it is worthwhile remembering that making the most of solar energyContinue reading “Renewable Energy – Using Solar Energy is Not All About PV Panels”