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Read on to learn more about permaculture, sustainability and what I do.
What Are Nematodes?
Delving deeper into soil ecology can be a good move for an organic gardener. The more we know about our soil and what it contains, the better placed we will be to manage our gardens in an eco-friendly and sustainable way. One important soil dweller is one that many gardeners know nothing about. Nematodes areContinue reading “What Are Nematodes?”
Fungi and their Function in an Organic Garden
When you think about fungi, mushrooms are probably the first things that spring to mind. But fungi is far more important in your garden than you may imagine. Like bacteria and other soil life, fungi plays a vital role in the soil ecosystem. They are another hidden helper in an organic garden. Without them, weContinue reading “Fungi and their Function in an Organic Garden”
Hidden Helpers in an Organic Garden
If you are one of the many people growing their own for the first time this year, you might feel overwhelmed at times. Stick with it! Even though you will make mistakes, and even though things will go wrong, growing your own is still immensely satisfying. Even if your yields are patchy, and your plantsContinue reading “Hidden Helpers in an Organic Garden”
Demand a Green Recovery – Speak Out
Wherever you live, recovery from Coronavirus should not be all about the bottom line. Financial recovery that does not care for people and planet is no recovery at all. Right now, we countries that have passed the peak of the crisis have a unique opportunity to craft a greener, fairer society. But it won’t happenContinue reading “Demand a Green Recovery – Speak Out”
Reasons To Lose the Lawn (And What to Replace it With)
There are plenty of reasons to get rid of the lawn in your garden. When I say lawn, what I am referring to is a manicured, perfect grass mono-crop. Of course, grass cover is not always a bad thing. Grass cover can protect the soil, feed livestock, and can be very practical. It can alsoContinue reading “Reasons To Lose the Lawn (And What to Replace it With)”
Case Study: Losing the Lawn To Create a More Abundant, Productive Garden
In this case study, I want to share with you part of a design I created for one homeowner who wanted to overhaul her long, lawn-covered garden. It is designed to provide a restful and reasonably low maintenance space, which can be enjoyed by the family, and yet will allow for plenty of food production. Continue reading “Case Study: Losing the Lawn To Create a More Abundant, Productive Garden”
Why Do So Many People Have a Manicured Grass Lawn?
It is likely that most homes in your neighbourhood will have a lawn. But why? Have you ever stopped to consider why lawns are so popular? Short, maintained grass, it could be argued, feeds into our human urge to tame and control our surroundings. Short grasses make it easier to see any dangers coming. TheyContinue reading “Why Do So Many People Have a Manicured Grass Lawn?”
Green Recovery – Why Growth is Not Always Good
In the garden, and when it comes to your personal development, growth is almost always a wonderful thing. The image above shows my forest garden – growing strong. But the same thing, arguably, is not true when it comes to economics. I am by no means an economist, but I have recently been thinking aContinue reading “Green Recovery – Why Growth is Not Always Good”
Conversations About Sustainability
I am very lucky to live with people who are broadly on the same page that I am. But many people live with others who don’t think about sustainability all that often. Others may even come up against a brick wall when trying to talk about what’s best for people and our planet. So, howContinue reading “Conversations About Sustainability”
Why Every Home Should Have a Pantry
You are no doubt aware that what we choose to eat has a profound effect on how eco-friendly, ethical and sustainable our lives can be. Whether you are growing your own, buying local, seasonal, organic produce, or a combination of both, your choices are important. But it is important to remember that what happens toContinue reading “Why Every Home Should Have a Pantry”
Making Mistakes When Growing Your Own
Many people are growing their own this year for the first time. So I wanted to take a moment to talk about making mistakes. Of course, making mistakes is something we all do. On the road of sustainability, it is important not to become discouraged when things go wrong. This list of the 30 mostContinue reading “Making Mistakes When Growing Your Own”
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”
Case Study: Conceptual Permaculture Design
Permaculture design usually begins with observation of a particular site. Occasionally, however, it can begin with conceptual design. The image above shows a plan developed for a client who wanted a concept plan for a permaculture retreat somewhere in northern Italy. Unusually, the client has not yet found land for the project. But wanted conceptualContinue reading “Case Study: Conceptual Permaculture Design”
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”
Case Study: Catalonia Permaculture Design
Permaculture is not always about starting from scratch. This case study reflects this. As usual, I won’t share all the details of my work. But do just want to share this brief overview. The property is an old fruit orchard in Catalonia that had fallen into a wild and largely disused state. It is soonContinue reading “Case Study: Catalonia Permaculture Design”
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”
Tips For Small Space Gardening
The yield of a system is theoretically unlimited (or only limited by the imagination and information of the designer). (Bill Mollison, founding father of permaculture.) This idea can be an inspiration when it comes to gardening in small spaces. When you look at things a little differently, far more may be possible than you imagined.Continue reading “Tips For Small Space Gardening”
Sustainable Watering Solutions for an Organic Garden
There are a lot of new gardeners out there, tending their new food producing gardens for the first time. So today, I’d like to take a moment to go back to basics. Providing plants with the water they need to grow is, of course crucial. But many new gardeners make a few basic mistakes whenContinue reading “Sustainable Watering Solutions for an Organic Garden”
Everything Gardens – We Humans Are Not Alone
If you spend any time in a garden, or out in the natural world, you will very quickly notice that we humans are not the only ones who alter our environments. Gardening and growing are, in essence, our own ways of shaping our surroundings to meet our needs. If we are wise about it, weContinue reading “Everything Gardens – We Humans Are Not Alone”
Case Study: Desert Ecosystem Restoration
This case study is a project I am currently working on in Somalia. This site is located just south west of Garowe, in Puntland, north-eastern Somalia. The region has a hot desert climate, with hot to very hot temperatures (average highs of 29-41 degrees) year round and an annual average precipitation of just 133mm. InContinue reading “Case Study: Desert Ecosystem Restoration”
How To Sequester More Carbon in Your Garden
Tree planting is the most common strategy used in carbon sequestration measures. But planting trees in your garden is not the only thing you can do to increase the amount of carbon captured and stored in your outside space. To play your role in tacking our climate crisis, you can also: Manage tree stands/ gardens/Continue reading “How To Sequester More Carbon in Your Garden”
Capturing Carbon By Planting Trees
An important part of tackling our climate crisis is, of course, reducing carbon emissions. But finding ways to sequester more carbon is equally important. When you think of capturing carbon, or carbon sequestration, one of the first things that springs to mind is likely to be trees. Planting trees is, of course, one important thingContinue reading “Capturing Carbon By Planting Trees”
Nitrogen Fixing Plants in My Garden
Nitrogen fixing plants play important roles in a permaculture garden. Certain plants form symbiotic relationships with beneficial bacteria in their roots. These plants help to maintain a natural balance in your garden. For a green and eco-friendly garden, synthetic nitrogen fertilisers are never the answer. Nitrogen fixing plants are an important part of organic gardeningContinue reading “Nitrogen Fixing Plants in My Garden”
Reducing Plastic Use in the Garden
First of all, let me begin by saying that I take a practical approach to reducing plastic use. I am of course fully aware of the problems with plastic. But I also know that it can be a very useful material. I do have plastic in my garden – most notably, my polytunnel. (Around fiveContinue reading “Reducing Plastic Use in the Garden”
You Have More Resources For Sustainable Living Than You Think
I am sure that some people, living in cities and coping with life in a tiny flat must look at my life and think – well, it’s easy for you. They look at the wealth of resources those with gardens have at their disposal. They imagine how easy it would be to live more sustainablyContinue reading “You Have More Resources For Sustainable Living Than You Think”
Comfrey – A Great Multipurpose Permaculture Plant
One of the most useful plants I grow is not one we eat. Rather, it is that workhorse of the permaculture garden – comfrey. If you are already into permaculture, you are no doubt already aware of the benefits of this perennial plant. But for those who are new to the concept, here is aContinue reading “Comfrey – A Great Multipurpose Permaculture Plant”
Case Study: Tropical Garden
The image above shows part of a permaculture design for a riverside plot in India, with an approximate location for a new home, with a natural swimming pool. A path leads down between fruit trees and a forest garden to a seating area and polyculture vegetable beds situated near the riverside end of the property. Continue reading “Case Study: Tropical Garden”
Eliminating Sustainability Blind Spots
As a consultant, I constantly come up against the problem of sustainability blind spots. People want to change. They want to live a more sustainable way of life. But they all have what I like to call ‘sustainability blind spots’. The truth of the matter is that, no matter how sustainable we believe ourselves toContinue reading “Eliminating Sustainability Blind Spots”
Planning and Sowing for Year Round Growing
One of the mistakes that people make when starting to grow their own is thinking too short term. Many enthusiastic new gardeners will sow plenty of seeds in spring – then lose that momentum when it comes to the summer months. But planning for year round growing means continuing to think about what we sowContinue reading “Planning and Sowing for Year Round Growing”
Sustainable Work – Make Money Sustainably From Home
Many of us are re-thinking the way we work right now. As someone who worked from home for years, I understand how challenging it can sometimes be. But I know how rewarding it can be too. Sustainable work from home can be great – in a range of different ways. I enjoy the freedom ofContinue reading “Sustainable Work – Make Money Sustainably From Home”
Grow Food More Easily – Don’t Fall For Low-Maintenance Myths
Even if you are not the most green-fingered person, you can grow your own. If you have a full time job and a busy life, you might think you don’t have time for a garden. Nothing could be further from the truth. You can create a low-maintenance forest garden that requires only minimal time commitment.Continue reading “Grow Food More Easily – Don’t Fall For Low-Maintenance Myths”
Where To Live Sustainably
We tend to talk a lot about how to live sustainably. But where we do so is also an important part of the puzzle. Where we choose to live can have a huge bearing on how sustainably we can live and how easily we can do so. You might not be able to change yourContinue reading “Where To Live Sustainably”
Keeping Chickens – Sustainable Solutions For Your Flock
One of the ways that I am boosting sustainability at home is by keeping a flock of rescue chickens. We could, of course, purchase eggs from one of our wonderful local farm shops or suppliers. (There are several great options in our area.) But we are lucky enough to have space for 15 hens orContinue reading “Keeping Chickens – Sustainable Solutions For Your Flock”
Case Study: New York State
I am currently working on a large design for a 52 acre site in New York State. The goals for this design very much adhere to each of the central ethics of permaculture. The broad goal was to maximise the capacity of the land in question to sustain wildlife and people, while minimising negative impactContinue reading “Case Study: New York State”
Catch and Store Rainwater in Your Garden
Fresh water is an important resource. And even in areas where there is quite a lot of it around, it pays to use it wisely. Learning how to catch and store rainwater in your garden is an important step in permaculture practice. How To Catch Rainwater Connect rainwater from the roof of your home. AndContinue reading “Catch and Store Rainwater in Your Garden”
To Build Sustainability, Build Personal Resilience
On the road to sustainability, it is always important to remember that change comes first from within. As we work to create more sustainable lives, we all need to begin with ourselves. Finding ways to build personal resilience is key. By personal resilience, I mean both our ability to ‘bounce back’ emotionally when things goContinue reading “To Build Sustainability, Build Personal Resilience”
Planting for Pollinators
Pollinators are so important. But many key species that we rely on to pollinate our crops are in threat. The more we can do to protect pollinators, the better. Bees, butterflies, other insects and a wide range of other wildlife is required for healthy, strong, resilient ecosystems. The best thing we can do for pollinatorsContinue reading “Planting for Pollinators”
Sustainability – In Praise of Local Pulses
This might not sound like the most interesting of topics. But pulses are a hot topic when it comes to sustainability and sustainable food. Your everyday food choices really can make a big difference. Whether or not you choose to go down the vegan or vegetarian route, eating more local pulses is a good wayContinue reading “Sustainability – In Praise of Local Pulses”
Which Composting Method Should You Choose?
If you don’t already make your own compost at home, now is a great time to start. Composting is an essential activity if you have a garden. It is crucial to ensuring productivity long term. When it comes right down to it, composting is simply nature’s recycling system. We simply take advantage of it toContinue reading “Which Composting Method Should You Choose?”
The Spring Harvest – What We’re Eating This Month
To inspire others to take their own home-growing further, every now and then, I would like to share some of what we’re eating from our own permaculture garden here in Scotland. So here are some highlights of the May harvest: Spring Harvest From the Veg Beds and Polytunnel: Lettuce (Various types) Perpetual Spinach Chard PakContinue reading “The Spring Harvest – What We’re Eating This Month”
Case Study: Sensory Garden For a Community Garden in Wales
This week, I want to highlight an element of a garden design that could be beneficial for those who are looking for a little calm and tranquillity in our current, often chaotic and worrying times. Above, you can see a sensory garden. This large raised bed garden was part of a community garden design inContinue reading “Case Study: Sensory Garden For a Community Garden in Wales”
Rethinking How We Grow & What We Grow
Rethinking how and what we grow is about growing our own at home or in community spaces, and choosing fresh, organic, local, seasonal wholefoods. But that is not all. It also involves thinking more deeply about our society’s food producing systems, and which foods are most sustainably grown in our bioregions, using which methods. TheContinue reading “Rethinking How We Grow & What We Grow”
The Plastic Pollution You Didn’t Know You Were Creating
Most of us are no doubt aware of the problems with plastic. Many are now trying to reduce their plastic use. Those interested in tackling plastic pollution are always trying to move away from disposable plastics wherever possible, and thinking twice before buying any new plastic items. It is a great idea to carry reusableContinue reading “The Plastic Pollution You Didn’t Know You Were Creating”
Boost Sustainability By Eating the Weeds
Whether you are currently growing your own or not, it is important to think about all the various crops you can grow where you live. But the potential of wild resources are often overlooked. It is also a good idea to think about how you can begin to make the most of nature’s bounty inContinue reading “Boost Sustainability By Eating the Weeds”
Fertilize Plants Organically For Free
In any organic garden, it is important to take steps to ensure the fertility of the soil and the health of the plants over time. You can fertilize plants organically for free by using readily available natural materials from your garden. Slow release fertilizers are added in a ‘no dig’ garden in the form ofContinue reading “Fertilize Plants Organically For Free”
Reduce Plastic Use – Make Your Own Biodegradable Plant Pots
Plastic waste is a major problem. Most of us are now aware of the massive ocean gyres… the dangers to wildlife… the huge landfill sites filled with non-compostable waste. Gardening is a great way to become more sustainable in your daily life. But gardening traditionally involves using a lot of plastic. Fortunately, there are plentyContinue reading “Reduce Plastic Use – Make Your Own Biodegradable Plant Pots”
Grow Your Own Without a Garden
I realise that I am very lucky to have a garden. While many who want to live a more sustainable lifestyle dream of a rural idyll, not everyone has some outside space to call their own. But that does not mean you can’t get growing. You can grow your own in a tiny courtyard orContinue reading “Grow Your Own Without a Garden”
Case Study: Kansas Garden
I won’t share full details of my permaculture designs on this site. But I do want to give an occasional glimpse into the varied work that I do for gardeners and growers around the world. This case study is an example of one part of a permaculture design I completed for a client in Kansas. Continue reading “Case Study: Kansas Garden”
Zero Waste – What It Really Means
The first introduction to zero waste that most people get is the idea of reducing plastic use, and reducing the amount of plastic waste that we bring into our homes. Reducing non-biodegradable waste is, of course, very important. But it is important to remember that plastic waste is not the only type of waste weContinue reading “Zero Waste – What It Really Means”
How To Make A New Growing Area in Your Garden
I am often asked about the best ways to turn an area of lawn into a new growing area. When people make new growing areas, they often cut off the turf to get started. But I would highly recommend ditching the spade, and adopting a no dig approach. There are several different ‘no dig’ optionsContinue reading “How To Make A New Growing Area in Your Garden”
Attracting Wildlife in Your Garden
Many of us are turning our attentions to our gardens right now. But many new gardeners forget that they are not gardening alone. As organic gardeners, we are aided in what we do by many creatures that share our space. Attracting wildlife, and making a wildlife friendly garden is one of the top things weContinue reading “Attracting Wildlife in Your Garden”
Tips For Self-Sufficiency in Your Garden
The more you can be self-sufficient in your gardening endeavours, the more sustainable your efforts can be. So let’s take a moment to look at some of the ways you can boost self-sufficiency in your garden: Make your own compost. Harvest rainwater and manage water effectively. Fertilise your garden organically and for free, with naturalContinue reading “Tips For Self-Sufficiency in Your Garden”
Starting a Garden Need Not Cost The Earth
If you are starting a garden, one of the most common mistakes is spending more than you need to spend to establish it. Permaculture teaches is that it does not need to cost the Earth to start a garden – either literally or metaphorically. We can keep things sustainable and eco-friendly, while also spending veryContinue reading “Starting a Garden Need Not Cost The Earth”
The Benefits of Forest Gardening
Forest gardening is one of my specialities. I have turned a mature garden on my own property into a forest garden, and design forest gardens for others around the world. Many people are starting new gardens right now. When most people get started, they tend to focus on creating a traditional vegetable patch or kitchenContinue reading “The Benefits of Forest Gardening”
Sustainability Begins At Home
One of the services I offer is help for individuals to create their personalised sustainability plans. At times when so many of us are stuck at home, it can be difficult to imagine how we can still make a change in the wider world. But sustainability begins at home. Each small, personal change we makeContinue reading “Sustainability Begins At Home”
An Introduction To Permaculture
There are literally thousands of introductions to permaculture online – I myself have written a number of them. But in this post, I want to do something a little different to the norm – I want to talk about how permaculture really makes a difference. Permaculture is Practical If you are in any way familiarContinue reading “An Introduction To Permaculture”
What Does Sustainability Mean?
Sustainability means adopting a way of life that is kind to people and planet – not just in the present day, but also thinking about the generations to come. It involves finding ways to meet our needs today without trashing our future. Sustainability is a Journey Not a Destination Sustainability is often misunderstood. Often, peopleContinue reading “What Does Sustainability Mean?”
Coronavirus Discounts
During this Coronavirus crisis, it is vital to remember that we are facing two crises, not just one. The climate crisis has not gone away. Now, it is more vitally important than ever that we keep sustainability and sustainable food production on everyone’s minds, and high on the agenda. Since the start of this crisis,Continue reading “Coronavirus Discounts”
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