Question: How did you know what poultry breeds to buy and look after? I bought this book for our daughter Liliana when she was about 7 years old. The descriptions helped us decide what breeds suited us best, keeping in mind the size of our henhouse and the areas they have to free range. Hundred’s […]

Question: How did you go about planning the garden. ~ I’ve put together some tips for you. Follow the seasons. Grow what grows well and source the rest as local as possible. Learn from people who just get on with gardening and share their knowledge generously. The time you share with them is gold and […]

I initially planned our garden based on Permaculture Principles plus good old fashioned common sense. Those broad plans have stood the test of time. But getting to know the land, our circumstances changing, illness and injuries, work and study commitments, plans evolve with experience and time. And let’s not forget buidling in resilience due to […]

Keep a look out for bare rooted fruit trees, berries and roses sold barerooted, usually in bags full of some type of sawdust medium. Late Autumn through to mid Winter are when they are in the nurseries or on mail order and at their prime to be taken home and planted. Late Winter is when […]

Potatoes I love growing potatoes, especially Dutch Creams and Nicola’s. It’s the whole planting process through to Bandicooting them when the first potatoes are ready and the final harvest. I also love growing fruit trees and berries. There is something so honest about walking through our small fruit tree orchards or along our Food Hedges […]

It’s a good question. The short answer in no. BUT Our garden saves us money rather than spend it. Hand on heart with supermarket organic prices we wouldn’t be able to afford or source all of the organic produce that we grow. PLUS We have created so many family memories in the garden. So many […]

Someone asked me if they should make changes to their initial garden plans. My answer: Go with your gut feeling. You know your land better than anyone else. The longer you live somewhere the more your garden knowledge and garden evolves. My rule is if I keep thinking about a new idea and the initial […]

If someone offers you free fruit or gives you permission to forage on their land, treat that as a valuable exchange. Do something in return for that exchange. This is how respectful friendships form, especially in rural communities if you are a new comer to a rural area or town. ~ It’s become an old […]

Picking Autumn roses with our Lil. A little vase of flowers for next to the bed. Would you like to join me? I’m hoping to post a photo each day in May. A moment captured during the day, calming, peaceful, that captures my heart. Uplifting, something positive as we move into the colder months in […]