Potato Harvest and Tips For Good Yields

I’ve been harvesting a lot while taking a break from work this week, and harvesting potatoes reminded me of previous years’ experimentation and what has worked for me and what has not gone so well. Today, I thought I would share some of my tips to help you get good yields of potatoes: Should youContinue reading “Potato Harvest and Tips For Good Yields”

Tips for a More Sustainable Van Life

Speaking to a friend recently, we were discussing the growing trend for a more nomadic and less settled lifestyle. We were talking about how ‘van life’ can more than just pay lip service to sustainability. Obviously, those who decide to live in a van already negate all the emissions associated with a permanent abode. ButContinue reading “Tips for a More Sustainable Van Life”

Shrubs or Drinking Vinegars

Shrub is a term not just used to refer to the type of bushy plant. It is also a word used to describe a type of soft drink which was common in the US during the colonial era. Though drinking vinegars fell out of favour since the advent of modern refrigeration, this can still beContinue reading “Shrubs or Drinking Vinegars”

Why I Love Mange Tout/ Snow peas/ Snap Peas

I don’t have a huge amount of space in my vegetable garden, so I want the plants I grow to work hard for me and provide as high a yield as possible. I grow and have grown a number of different shelling or podding peas in my garden. But today, having just harvested a bigContinue reading “Why I Love Mange Tout/ Snow peas/ Snap Peas”

Sustainable Coffee?

Fairtrade? Rainforest alliance?… where should you turn when looking for a sustainable coffee for your morning cup? It can be challenging trying to navigate the minefield and find the most sustainable options for all the foods and drinks you enjoy. And when you do not live in a coffee producing area, it is worthwhile alsoContinue reading “Sustainable Coffee?”

There Is More to Productive Gardening than Just Food

As I have mentioned before on this site, a garden can be far richer in resources than many people imagine. And even if you do not have a garden, nature in your surroundings may afford more opportunities for foraging than you might think. When we look around us, we find that the plant life aroundContinue reading “There Is More to Productive Gardening than Just Food”

Creating an Artist’s Garden

A garden can obviously be highly aesthetically pleasing and still be useful and productive. I always work to make sure that I consider aesthetics in all my designs. But in one recent project (which I will share as a case study tomorrow), aesthetics were particularly important. This project was a garden for an artist –Continue reading “Creating an Artist’s Garden”

The Parts of Common Vegetable Garden Crops People Don’t Know They Can Eat

Are you accidentally composting parts of common vegetable crops from your garden that you could be eating? There are many plants which offer secondary yields – and other parts of a plant beyond the main harvested parts can often also become a part of your home grown diet. Some parts of common vegetable garden cropsContinue reading “The Parts of Common Vegetable Garden Crops People Don’t Know They Can Eat”

How To Break Away From Supermarket Shopping

Many people wish that they could break their reliance on supermarket shopping, but don’t feel that they can afford to do so. We’ve all become so used to the ease, convenience and affordability of supermarket food that it can be difficult to see how we can do without them. But with a little work, itContinue reading “How To Break Away From Supermarket Shopping”

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”