There is no escaping the fact that the planet is now in dangerous territory relative to high “greenhouse gases” and the consequent increase in surface temperature. Changing the way you use your tiny piece of land can help make the needed change. I find this 3 minute video does a great job of getting the [...]
Invasive species?
I am asked regularly “What can I do about dandelions?” Thistles, orange hawkweed and knapweed are just a few more species that threaten to take over. I have no answer but I do know I personally can’t just standby and let the invasion be so complete that no ‘natural’ or indigenous is left. I do [...]
Permaculture the way forward . . .
I was fortunate growing up spending my summers in the wildness of coastal British Columbia. The impression of the natural world stays with me in all that I do and this embrace is what some are calling permaculture. It is how I see myself, maybe others, fitting. To increase my awareness of permaculture I took [...]
Raised beds naturally . . .
For those of us with less than ideal growing seasons, warmth is a key to achieving any kind of harvest. Short of growing under glass or plastic, planting in a raised bed is the way to get the soil warm. I simply dig or hoe my garden soil into hills — no lumber needed. This [...]
Having garden weeded for free . . .
In exchange for a cat free environment these migrant workers get a free meal and I receive a weeded garden: click on link or picture to start 50 second video . . . 2013-04-23 09.51 – Wi-Fi
Time to Plant!
Save time and money by planting some seeds under florescent lights in your home. Window sills don’t cut it — way too little light. Hang the florescent light about 12 inches above the flat of seedlings; as they grow lift the light. One package of dozens, if not hundreds of seeds, is cheaper than one plant [...]
Root crops — easy winter storage
This time of year the potatoes I store in my root cellar are growing ‘hairy eyes’. Lately I’ve been trying the ‘old-timers’ root cellar and it works to perfection. Just dig a hole in the ground, put in your crop and cover with hay, or some sort of mulch (snow works great). This photo is of [...]
Oregon – BC connection . . .
Having just spent the winter in Portland Oregon (back to university and a permaculture course) I was aware this journey was not original. There is a long history of trade. Besides Oolichan (an oil rich fish) and obsidian (rock equivalent of steel) they traded names (Motherstone. p.138) “It is one of the great ironies of [...]
Garden harvest – part of a circle of time
The harvest is over and time for thinking seeds is now. Planting for some can start in a couple of months. I continue to find Michelle Obama’s lead, in terms of ‘First Family’s’ use of the White House grounds, heartening. Her comments about how good home grown food tastes is note worthy and reason for [...]
Building a stream and pond
Much work; but the results so far are beginning to show much promise. This stream and pond are connected. At the stream’s source, we’ve created a musical series of waterfalls; at the pond is a peaceful stillness.
