Recently my mind was drawn to think again about the important issue of land reform – a key issue where I live here in Scotland. In Scotland, land is a pressing political issue, since so much of the land here is in the ‘possession’ of so few. One of the many reasons why this isContinue reading “Too Little Land… or Too Much?”
Tag Archives: gardening
Sourcing Seeds For Your Sustainable Garden
If you have decided to sow some seeds this year, but have not yet sourced your seeds, time is of the essence. It’s certainly not too late to get growing if you have not done so already. As many of you already know, growing at least some of your own food and other resources atContinue reading “Sourcing Seeds For Your Sustainable Garden”
The Importance of Patience in a Garden
I have been approached several times in the last few days by people looking for advice because their seeds have not germinated. But some were just expecting results too soon. In one case, a gardener was concerned because carrot seeds had not germinated a week after sowing. In another, a gardener was concerned that theirContinue reading “The Importance of Patience in a Garden”
Purple Sprouting Broccoli – a Great Value Crop
In my garden, one of the plants I am really enjoying eating at the moment is purple sprouting broccoli. We eat the fresh young heads raw in salads, as well as cooking them and adding them to a wide range of recipes. Purple sprouting broccoli is often overlooked by gardeners, in favour of the green,Continue reading “Purple Sprouting Broccoli – a Great Value Crop”
Maximising Photosynthesis With Living Paths
As you plan your garden, pathways are easily overlooked. It is important to choose the right path options for the right places. In permaculture, the focus is often on maximising the potential of the space, and making the most of your own time by positioning pathways and garden elements efficiently. But it is also importantContinue reading “Maximising Photosynthesis With Living Paths”
Things You Don’t Have to Buy if You Have a Garden
Even those of us who have gardens and tend them do not always use them to their full potential. A garden is an amazing resource. And when you have a garden, it can make it a lot easier to reduce your consumption and live in a more sustainable way. So, today, I thought I wouldContinue reading “Things You Don’t Have to Buy if You Have a Garden”
Chickweed: A Weed You Want in Your Garden
I know that most gardeners moan at the sight of even a single weed, and rip them all out as soon as they appear. But my garden has lots of weeds – and I love them. Yes, even in the vegetable beds. While not all weeds, of course, are desirable, there are plenty of weedsContinue reading “Chickweed: A Weed You Want in Your Garden”
Hedging Bets and Avoiding Losses in the Garden
This week, I have been very grateful for the fact that I have built up some resilience in my garden systems, and have been careful, through permaculture approaches and careful planning, not to put all my eggs in one basket. We have had a very late and rather unexpected cold snap, with night time temperaturesContinue reading “Hedging Bets and Avoiding Losses in the Garden”
Managing Time Effectively in a Busy Gardening Period
April is one of the busiest times in the gardening year where I live. And it is the same for many others too. There are so many seeds to sow this month, others to pot on or harden off and plant out, perennials to plant out and some to divide, general garden maintenance jobs, and,Continue reading “Managing Time Effectively in a Busy Gardening Period”
April Sowing, Growing and Harvesting
This is a busy time of the year in the garden. Though I have to be careful here about not planting anything out or sowing too early, before the last frosts, there is plenty going on. I have held off on some sowing and planting outdoors this week because some relatively late frosts are expectedContinue reading “April Sowing, Growing and Harvesting”