Apples – Thinking Beyond Crumble and Pie

As our apple harvest begins, I have started making use of some of our cooking apples. We have six apple trees here, five of which have done well this year, and so we soon tire of traditional recipes like apple crumble and apple pie. To be honest, we don’t very often eat desserts through theContinue reading “Apples – Thinking Beyond Crumble and Pie”

Case Study: Community Garden

This case study (from last month) is a concept for an existing community garden in north eastern Scotland, which wishes to improve the smaller existing space and expand into an adjacent site. The area shown to the west of the site, with the annual beds, currently has a number of raised beds. This design maximisesContinue reading “Case Study: Community Garden”

Soil Health and Fungal Ecology

A lot of people have been talking about fungi recently – some introduced to the topic by a recent documentary film. Fungi are amazing organisms and we should pay them more attention – for a range of reasons. Fungal ecology is important in a garden, but it is an element which is often overlooked. AContinue reading “Soil Health and Fungal Ecology”

Tips for Choosing Fruit Trees for Your Garden

As I wait for the fruit to ripen on the plum and apple trees in my own garden, I thought this would be a good time to share a few simple tips for choosing fruit trees for your own garden. Think about which fruits you actually like to eat. (I am not a particular fanContinue reading “Tips for Choosing Fruit Trees for Your Garden”

Case Study: Wisconsin Permaculture Design

This Wisconsin property, in Juneau County, is in USDA zone 5. It has largely Boone-Tarr soils, c. 6-15 percent slopes, some with high runoff and excessive drainage. Mean annual precipitation is 28 to 33 inches. Mean annual air temperature: 46 to 52 degrees F. Frost-free period: 135 to 160 days. Most of the property isContinue reading “Case Study: Wisconsin Permaculture Design”

Grow More Fruit in Less Space

As you may have gathered from previous posts, I love to grow plenty of fruit in my garden. In my forest garden, I have many fruit producing plants – from trees, to shrubs – even fruiting ground cover plants. And I have plans to add even more. I recently purchased a few extra additions (includingContinue reading “Grow More Fruit in Less Space”

Fireweed – A Useful Summer ‘Weed’

In various parts of my property, and along the roadsides close by, one of the most noticeable and abundant weeds at this time of year is Epilobium angustifolium or Chamaenerion angustifolium, known in the UK as rosebay willowherb or bombweed and in the US as fireweed. I welcome this weed into my forest garden andContinue reading “Fireweed – A Useful Summer ‘Weed’”

Lammas Harvesting and Planting

On Lammas, or Lughnasadh, it seems fitting that I spent some of my day in the garden. But on this traditional holiday of the harvest, I have not just been harvesting, but also planting too. This time of year is a time of year when many new gardeners who sowed in spring will be harvesting theContinue reading “Lammas Harvesting and Planting”

Case Study: Subtropical Australia Permaculture Garden

This higher level concept plan is for a garden in greater Brisbane, Australia. The clients were keen to develop a plan that would allow them to make the most of their garden – currently mostly laid to lawn. They wanted a lush and tropical feel and a space that they could use for recreation –Continue reading “Case Study: Subtropical Australia Permaculture Garden”

Case Study: Walled Garden Forest Garden Design

This is a small portion of my design for the larger Mediterranean site, for which I earlier shared the overall concept plan. This is the concept for the renovation of the existing (but dilapidated) walled garden on the property. (just under 1 acre in size) The goal is to turn the overgrown and neglected spaceContinue reading “Case Study: Walled Garden Forest Garden Design”