Using Wood Chip in the Garden

Wood chip is a useful material in the garden. And after spending quite a lot of time this weekend shredding pruned branches etc. and spreading some to refresh some paths around our property, I thought I’d share this link to an article a wrote just over a year ago about how to use this inContinue reading “Using Wood Chip in the Garden”

Garden Plans for the Weekend

What are you doing in your garden this weekend? It is good to have some kind of a plan in place – jobs you’d like to get round to – even if things do not quite turn out as planned. Of course, the garden jobs this week will depend very much on where you live.Continue reading “Garden Plans for the Weekend”

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”

Creating a Garden For Mental Health

There are many reasons why gardening and growing your own are good for you. Growing your own food can help you eat more healthily, and get some gentle exercise perhaps. But gardening is also extremely good for mind as well as body. It can help you improve the state of your mental health. Growing yourContinue reading “Creating a Garden For Mental Health”

Have You Started Sowing Yet?

Winter is, of course, still in full flow. But here though there is snow on the ground outside – actually quite a few inches – I have quite a few seeds germinating and seeds growing on my windowsills. Some will stay indoors for quite some time. While others will head out into the polytunnel someContinue reading “Have You Started Sowing Yet?”

Bring Colour and Cheer to Your Garden

Most of us have had a difficult year, and are surrounded by uncertainty. But having a garden means we have the opportunity to shape our immediate environment to bring some cheer. Obviously, as a permaculture designer, I know that there are many other things that a garden can provide. But sometimes, it is nice toContinue reading “Bring Colour and Cheer to Your Garden”

Tips For Small Space Gardeners

Those who were interested by my last case study may also be interested in this article I wrote for those who are tackling the problem of lack of space: How To Get the Most From a Small Garden Of course, my goal here is not to give a ‘one size fits all’ solution, but ratherContinue reading “Tips For Small Space Gardeners”

Overcoming Obstacles in a Kitchen Garden – A Few Examples

One of the key roles of permaculture is showing how, by following certain ethics and principles, we can work towards overcoming obstacles – in food production and in other areas of our lives. Today, as many work towards creating their kitchen garden, or making a plan for the coming year, I thought it might beContinue reading “Overcoming Obstacles in a Kitchen Garden – A Few Examples”

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”

Do You Need a Greenhouse or Polytunnel?

If you are new to growing your own, and plan on creating a new food producing garden, one thing that you might be thinking about is whether you need a greenhouse or polytunnel. The answer, of course, will depend on your specific situation and needs. But in many temperate climate situations, I would most definitelyContinue reading “Do You Need a Greenhouse or Polytunnel?”