Category Archives: growing things

Northern-facing and shade-tolerant edibles

I’m currently planning planting for two shady areas: our front balcony and our front porch. Both of them are north-facing, so I’ve been researching north-facing and shade-tolerant edibles which will grow in containers. Most edible plants do prefer full sun; … Continue reading

Posted in balcony, growing things, plants | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Replanning the herb garden

I took advantage of a brief sunny period mid-week to go out and rearrange the herb patch. Sadly I don’t have a very good before photo, but this one from this time last year is a reasonable representation: This is … Continue reading

Posted in growing things, herbs, the garden project | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

New year, new growth

I don’t really do resolutions per se (this post by Meg Barker is excellent on the matter). But if you looked out, on a bright, sunny New Year morning, at your patio (or balcony, or windowbox…) and thought about growing … Continue reading

Posted in gardening, growing things, permaculture in pots | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Book!

My book, Permaculture in Pots, is now out! It looks absolutely fantastic — everyone involved has done an amazing job, and I’m thrilled that it’s made it all the way to print now. Should you want a copy, it’s available … Continue reading

Posted in growing things, permaculture in pots | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Tidying up the garden for the winter

At the weekend I hoicked out the tomatoes (getting a fair crop of green tomatoes in the process), courgettes, gone-to-seed lettuce, and a bundle of unexpected carrots, to clear some space before winter. I also dug over the compost and … Continue reading

Posted in gardening, growing things | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Adventures in Parenting: food from the garden

It’s taken a looong time this year (possibly because of June’s dreadful weather), but finally I am regularly harvesting food from the garden*. Carrots (my first ever really decent carrot crop!), courgettes, little cherry tomatoes, chard, and the last of … Continue reading

Posted in food, growing things | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Fitting a water butt

If you grow plants and have access to a gutter downpipe, it’s well worth finding the space and time for a water butt. Rainwater is better for your plants than tap water*; and of course you help conserve water as … Continue reading

Posted in growing things, the garden project | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Flowers: permaculture and beauty

Permaculture isn’t only about the practical; or rather, “practical” covers more than you might think. Permaculture is all about sustainability, and that includes creating environments which are sustainable for humans in respect to all their needs. A garden needn’t just … Continue reading

Posted in growing things, the garden project | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Planting tomatoes for this year

It’s spring, so I’ve been doing a lot of planting in the garden. For once I actually have a month by month list, entered into my diary on a weekly basis, as the only way I’ll get things done on … Continue reading

Posted in growing things, the garden project | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Vegan chickweed pesto

There’s not that much growing at this time of year; but you will find fresh chickweed in UK gardens and allotments, even in the middle of the snow. It’s usually considered a weed, but in fact it’s edible, nutritious, and … Continue reading

Posted in allotment, chickweed, food, foraging, growing things, recipes, weeds | Leave a comment