Reduce Food Waste – Make Full Use of Leftovers

I hope that those of my friends in the US celebrating Thanksgiving (or enjoying a meal with family or friends) are enjoying the holiday. But thinking about your celebrations, I was minded to write today about the importance of making full use of leftovers in order to prevent food waste. Food waste is, as manyContinue reading “Reduce Food Waste – Make Full Use of Leftovers”

How To Avoid Buying in Organic Materials to Make New Gardens

Many people establishing new garden areas immediately jump to purchasing organic materials such as compost, topsoil or wood chip mulch. But more often than not, it is possible to source materials for free, or even to avoid purchasing materials altogether by using what is already on site. One tool that is very useful for thoseContinue reading “How To Avoid Buying in Organic Materials to Make New Gardens”

Not Too Late To Get Growing This Year

While I would never advise hastiness when starting a new garden, it is not too late to get growing this summer. You can still think about sowing a range of quick crops for the rest of summer and autumn/fall. And if you put some protection in place (or live in a climate without freezing winters)Continue reading “Not Too Late To Get Growing This Year”

Low Maintenance Garden Design

Many people are worried about starting a food producing garden because they worry that they do not have the time. But even when you don’t have much time to tend a garden, it is still important to remember that you can still grow plenty of food. Low maintenance gardens can certainly still be both beautifulContinue reading “Low Maintenance Garden Design”

Case Study: Small Yard Food Production

This plan aims to show how food can be grown in this small space for a family of three, with minimal effort for maximum yield. The plan includes a range of small space garden solutions, and incorporates plenty of perennial plants in addition to space for annual fruit and vegetable cultivation. Thought was given toContinue reading “Case Study: Small Yard Food Production”

Case Study: Virginia Permaculture Design

In this case study, you can see my design for a domestic garden in Dayton, Virginia. Dayton is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. This is the broad concept plan and planting outline for the design. Further to this, I also provided the client with detailed planting plans for each of the main areas, and suggestedContinue reading “Case Study: Virginia Permaculture Design”

Reasons To Start Vermicomposting

Vermicomposting is composting with the help of special worms. But why is composting with worms such a good idea? Why should we choose vermicomposting rather than a different type of composting system? For Quick & Successful Compost Creation Setting up a wormery and enlisting wriggling helpers to aid in composting can speed up the processContinue reading “Reasons To Start Vermicomposting”

Zero Waste Gardening For Beginners

In your garden, as in your home, it is important to think about how you can minimise waste. Zero waste is about what we buy for use in our gardens. But it is also about how we use our gardens to minimise the amount we consume from the outside world, and the waste we generateContinue reading “Zero Waste Gardening For Beginners”

Additional Elements For a Food Producing Garden

For a typical food producing garden, creating the growing area or areas will be top of the agenda. But this month, as you are planning your new food producing garden, it could be helpful to think about other elements you should include. In addition to creating an area in your garden where you can growContinue reading “Additional Elements For a Food Producing Garden”

Uses For Cardboard in the Garden

Many people are buying things online rather than in stores at the moment – for obvious reasons. So it may be that you are finding that you have more cardboard to recycle. Before you put those boxes in the recycling bin, it could be a good idea to think how they might come in handyContinue reading “Uses For Cardboard in the Garden”