Green Tomatoes – How To Ripen Them and How To Use Ones That Don’t

Those of us with relatively short growing season often find that growing tomatoes is a race against time. Even though I take steps to make green tomatoes ripen more quickly, we are always left with green tomatoes at the end of the season. But just because the tomatoes are not fully ripe, that does notContinue reading “Green Tomatoes – How To Ripen Them and How To Use Ones That Don’t”

Case Study: Sustainable Community of Kin Domains, Jamaica

The image above is part of a permaculture plan for a retreat of around 20 acres, and a further 30 acres divided into 15 two acre kin domains or family homesteads. A sustainable project in Hanover county in Jamaica. Designed to protect, restore and nourish people and planet on this 58 acre site. The siteContinue reading “Case Study: Sustainable Community of Kin Domains, Jamaica”

Preserving Food – Deciding What To Can

Canning your own home grown food can be a great way to enjoy the nutrients of summer over the winter months. It is of course important to make sure that you are canning safely, and adhering to guidelines to make sure that the food you preserve lasts and is safe to eat. But in thisContinue reading “Preserving Food – Deciding What To Can”

The Role of ‘Duty’ in Sustainability

The word ‘duty’ is often viewed as having negative connotations. It is often held in opposition to the ideas of personal freedom. Sometimes, people view it as an encumbrance – something that limits our potential and makes it more challenging to do what we want to do. But ‘duty’ is a concept that deserves toContinue reading “The Role of ‘Duty’ in Sustainability”

Sustainable Fashion: Repair

Of all the ‘R’s of sustainability, repair is one that is most often overlooked. The emphasis is often on reducing consumption, on reuse, and recycling. But when it comes to sustainable fashion, repair is another ‘R’ that can be very important. One of the complaints or ‘road blocks’ that comes up frequently in discussion isContinue reading “Sustainable Fashion: Repair”

Managing Risk – Creating Anti-Fragile Systems

Whether we are talking about businesses, communities or individual homes – risk is a big part of life. In these difficult times, risk is ever-present. We might not all be aware of it all the time, but we are all managing risk on a daily basis. Every time we take a decision about whether weContinue reading “Managing Risk – Creating Anti-Fragile Systems”

Sustainable Projects To Take on Before Winter

In a sustainable home, it is always a good idea to be one step ahead. There are a number of things you could do before the coldest weather arrives to boost your household sustainability over the winter. One thing you could do, of course, is add extra insulation to your home. The better insulated yourContinue reading “Sustainable Projects To Take on Before Winter”

Time Poor? Sustainability and Work/Life Balance

I have written before about how not having much money is not necessarily a barrier to sustainable change. But what about being time poor? One of the things that comes up time and time again when I speak to people about sustainability, permaculture and organic gardening is – time. Many people simply feel they doContinue reading “Time Poor? Sustainability and Work/Life Balance”

Back to ‘Business as Usual’?

As many people are being told to get back to work, it is important that we don’t just rush headlong into our old lives. We need to pause, reflect, and think about what ‘business as usual’ means. What was wrong with our former ways of life? And what might we be able to change forContinue reading “Back to ‘Business as Usual’?”

Case Study: Small Garden With Raised Beds

The image and simple planting plan above is part of an example permaculture scheme for a small domestic garden in England. The client requested that a lawn area be kept, so that it can be used for placing a trampoline for kids to use. But wanted to improve the garden and grow as some typicalContinue reading “Case Study: Small Garden With Raised Beds”