check out our blog posts
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check out our blog posts 〰️
Why Growing Your Own is a Radical Response to a Broken Food System
The UK food system is under strain like never before. From rising costs and supply chain disruptions to the growing pressure on farmers, we are witnessing the cracks in a model that prioritises profit over people, land, and health. Our farmers — once the backbone of national food security — are now navigating reduced subsidies, soaring input costs, and increasing barriers to land access...
Fruit Bush Care
Growing fruit bushes can be a rewarding and fruitful endeavour. From tangy raspberries to succulent blackberries, there’s a wide range of fruit bushes that thrive in our temperate climate. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the key aspects of caring for different types of fruit bushes, ensuring their health and productivity. So, grab your gardening gloves and let’s dive into the world of fruit bush care!
Building A Scarecrow
A short guide on building a scarecrow. Get ready to unleash your creativity and protect your garden with a DIY scarecrow! Here’s why you should give it a go and how to get started..
Raising Ducks
Raising ducks can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience. Whether you’re interested in their delightful quacks, their entertaining personalities, or the nutritious eggs they provide, ducks make wonderful additions to any back garden. In this beginner’s guide, we will explore various aspects of raising ducks, including housing, different breeds, food options, health problems, top tips, the benefits of keeping ducks, and the joys of raising ducklings.
Watercress – The Nutrient-Packed Superfood You Can Grow at Home!
If you’re looking for a nutrient-packed superfood to add to your diet, look no further than watercress. This leafy green is packed with vitamins and minerals, making it an excellent addition to any meal. And the best part? It’s easy to grow at home, even in a small space!
Different Soil Types
The United Kingdom boasts a range of landscapes, and with it comes a fascinating array of soil types. Understanding the soil in your garden is crucial for successful plant cultivation. In this blog post, we will delve into the various soil types found across the UK, explore which plants thrive in each soil type, and provide guidance on how to test and identify the soil in your garden.
Combatting Common Pests
Growing your own vegetables is a rewarding and satisfying experience, but unfortunately, it can also attract unwanted pests. Many gardeners turn to chemical pesticides to protect their crops, but these can be harmful to the soil and your health.
Luckily, there are natural techniques to combat pests in vegetable gardens that are just as effective and safe.
Making Your Garden Wildlife Friendly
It is important to encourage wildlife in your gardens, as everything has its place in the process of growing, whether as a companion plant, or encouraging pollinators, or providing a home for local creatures! Here are some of our top tips to have a wildlife friendly garden!
Keeping Bees
Beekeeping is a fascinating hobby that not only provides sweet, delicious honey but also helps pollinate plants and supports the ecosystem. In England, beekeeping has a rich history dating back to ancient times, and continues to be a popular activity for many hobbyists and professionals alike. If you’re interested in keeping bees, here’s a guide to get you started.
Dandelions: Pesky Weed or Helpful Friend?
Dandelions are often seen as an annoying weed that we try to get rid of from our gardens and lawns. However, dandelions actually have numerous health benefits and can be a valuable addition to any vegetable garden.
Raising Chickens
Keeping chickens has become a popular trend among people who want to have a sustainable source of fresh eggs, as well as a friendly and low-maintenance pet. However, raising chickens is more than just having a coop and a few birds in your garden. To ensure the health and well-being of your chickens, you need to provide them with proper housing, feed, and care. In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know about raising chickens, including housing, different breeds, food options, health problems, budget tips, why you should keep chickens, and raising chicks.
A Beginner’s Guide to Growing Strawberries
Growing your own strawberries can be a delicious and rewarding experience. With a bit of preparation and care, you can enjoy sweet and juicy berries all summer long. Here are some tips and tricks for growing strawberries..
Seeds of Currency
John Metcalf discusses the concept of seeds being used as a currency form in bartering and trading.
Mulching
Mulching is a simple yet effective gardening technique that can provide numerous benefits to your plants and soil. Mulch is a layer of organic material like leaves, grass clippings, or wood chips that is placed on top of the soil around your plants. Here are some of the key benefits of mulching..
Building a Good Compost Heap
A beginner's guide to building a compost heap, with top tips, budget ideas, and a step by step process.
Sowing and Growing in Autumn ‘Down Under’ 🇦🇺
Some growing tips for Autumn time in Australia, from a PFFA supporter.
Soil Regeneration
Looking after our soil is one of the key focuses when considering growing plants, John Metcalf takes a look into soil health and regeneration.
Our Children’s Role in the Grow Your Own Movement
The importance of children in the Grow Your Own Movement, how we can encourage them to get involved in growing & gardening & why it is important to get them involved.
The Art of Permaculture
‘Permaculture’, meaning Permanent Agriculture, is a solution to the destructive methods of industrialised agriculture. The ethics of Earth Care, People Care and Future Care form the foundations of the design principles. Bill Mollison, the man who coined the term ‘Permaculture’ (along with David Holmgren), after observing ancient cultures of the planet, created a set of ethics and principles in the 1970s that have been adapted over the years.