Perseverance is Important in Permaculture and Sustainable Living

I am certain that I am not unique in having tried a lot of new things in my determination to live in a more sustainable, self reliant and eco-friendly way. Skill building and learning is an important part of making progress in this arena, no matter exactly what path we are on. In the pursuitContinue reading “Perseverance is Important in Permaculture and Sustainable Living”

Sustainable Zero Waste Tips for Gardeners

Many people are thinking about zero waste these days, but all too often, the progress made does not extend from the home into the garden. If you are someone who want to make sure that your garden is as low waste as your home, here are a few simple tips or suggestions: Make sure youContinue reading “Sustainable Zero Waste Tips for Gardeners”

Tips for Sourcing New Plants For Your Garden in a Sustainable Way

Now, while the summer season is in full swing, you should be making plans for your garden over the months to come. You might be thinking about ordering trees and shrubs to plant over the dormant period, buying seeds for winter cover crops, or even buying seeds in for next year. But while you mayContinue reading “Tips for Sourcing New Plants For Your Garden in a Sustainable Way”

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”

Fragrant Phacelia

The farm estate fields just across the road from our property are blooming beautifully at the moment with a cover crop including Phacelia. These look wonderful, and of course also bring benefits for bees and other pollinators. Phacelia is a wonderful plant for bees. The plants themselves seem to buzz loudly on a sunny day.Continue reading “Fragrant Phacelia”

Freezing Fresh Herbs for Later Use

Some herbs can be dried, but others are at their best when fresh. Fortunately, if you have a freezer, you can freeze fresh herbs in ice cube trays for later use. I like to do this in summer, while the annual herbs are still at their best, so I can pop out the herb iceContinue reading “Freezing Fresh Herbs for Later Use”

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”

Bolting: Is it Too Late to Harvest from Plants?

With heatwaves being experienced this summer in many regions, you may be coming up against the problem of plants bolting. Bolting is the name given by gardeners to the sudden and premature development of a plant to the flowering/ seed producing stage. It is, in essence, plants rushing to enter the reproductive phase of growth.Continue reading “Bolting: Is it Too Late to Harvest from Plants?”

Allelopathy and Mutualistic Symbiosis in Plant Interactions

Allelopathy is the biological term for plants having a (usually negative) impact on other plants growing close by by producing one or more biochemicals. The main time that we hear about allelopathy is when it comes to walnut trees or Eucalyptus . Though there are a number of other plants which can also act onContinue reading “Allelopathy and Mutualistic Symbiosis in Plant Interactions”

The Importance of Experimentation in a Garden

In a garden, it is important to experiment. While other gardeners, books, and other media can teach you a lot, learning second-hand is never enough to create a truly great garden. Even the very best gardens are a work in progress. All gardeners have to observe, experiment, and respond to change over time. It isContinue reading “The Importance of Experimentation in a Garden”