Many years ago we bought a large zinc tub at a flea market. When my kids were young, I would put it in the garden, fill it with water and let them splash to their hearts’ delight. But when they outgrew this kind of entertainment, I started using the tub for growing edibles. Every year I came up with a different planting, creating a new miniature garden – one year I grew a succession of salads, another year a colourful mix of edible flowers. Instead of growing just one kind of vegetable or herb, I often plant polycultures that will provide a varied harvest. Because the tub is literally just thr ..read more

Since I live in the Netherlands, the largest producer of cut flowers worldwide, growing my own flowers for cutting might seem like bringing coal to Newcastle. But because I do not like the way most of the flowers for the market are produced (forced in large-scale greenhouses and often sprayed liberally), I still prefer to grow flowers myself – organically. Besides, store-bought cut flowers can hardly compete with the easy charm and variety of flowers you can grow in your garden. Growing flowers will not only allow you to fill your vases and make your plot prettier, but many of them are also a ..read more

Permaculture Week is a celebration and deep dive into the world of permaculture. From people care community and education, to design and landscape regeneration. In celebration, we (Permaculture magazine) have an exciting week of collaborations with a selection of permaculture practitioners from around the world. Each day one of these ‘permies’ will be live on our instagram (HERE) exploring their journey into permaculture and how they work with it daily. We want to showcase the wide reach and diversity of permaculture. Throughout the week we will also be featuring some special offers on our key ..read more

I remember the first time I read the French edition of Living with the Earth: I wrote immediately to the Permanent Publications team and said you have to translate this book, its inspirational and I believe one of the best books I’ve read. Finally volume one is available in English, and readers will love it! Living with the Earth is a three volume set, written by the owners of the renowned Ferme du Bec Hellouin in France. The authors are known for their first title, Miraculous Abundance, a collection of thoughts on how they chose to change their way of living and start their adventure at the f ..read more

This book is a fantastic reference for anyone with an interest in herbal medicine, forest gardening, agroforestry or permaculture. Introductory chapters are followed by profiles of 80 healing trees and shrubs that can be grown in the UK, many of them native plants. The introductory chapters cover sustainable harvesting and reconnecting with the medicinal forest, and trees and shrubs that can be used for infections, anxiety, pain and inflammation, digestion and to increase resilience. There is also a useful appendix where you can look up ailments to find the trees and shrubs that can be used in ..read more

Pippa Chapman, garden designer and author of The Plant Lover’s Backyard Forest Garden, talks about her most favourite combinations of plants for perennial food gardens, large or small, that are both beautiful and tasty. She offers ideas for ground covers, shrubs, nitrogen fixers, pollinators, flowering edible bulbs … Pippa also encourages us to plant for the pure joy of plants, their beauty and scents, and for year-round interest for both humans and to provide food for insects and birds. Forest gardens can provide food and functions but they are also important habitats for nature as well as sa ..read more

Organic gardener and homesteader, Liz Zorab chats to Permaculture magazine’s editor Maddy Harland, about what it is to be a seasonal gardener and shares some of her tips for winter gardening. Liz’s gardening cycle starts in the autumn, rather than the spring, and she uses the shorter days to dream and imagine the following year’s garden and any new projects. Liz shares how following the rhythms of Nature has improved her health and made gardening more enjoyable. Early mornings in the garden are bliss, even just to sit and embrace the colours and the sounds of life around, and taking time in wi ..read more

Organic gardener, homesteader, YouTuber and author, Liz Zorab, shares her top tips for growing your own veggies and how to get started in your own garden. Liz grows her own fruit, veg, flowers and herbs at her smallholding Byther Farm, and documents her journey at Liz Zorab – Byther Farm. Over the years Liz has created several new gardens, each time she’s moved home, and here she shares the best ways to get started, including: *How to prepare the ground *How to feed the soil *How to reduce weeds *What veggies to grow *And how to choose produce and varieties to give year-round food. The post To ..read more

Jessica Woodford was inspired by Rob Hopkins, The Time Traveller’s Tale, which is featured in the our Autumn 2023 issue – PM117 Rob Hopkins says “It is my strong sense that it is not enough to just talk about extinction and collapse, we also have to express something beautiful for people to run towards.” I’ve Been to the Future I’ve been to the future – 2030 Where London streets are lined with fruit trees Community gardens, bees and birdsong The roads are clear, clean and safe Children outside playing The fresh and earthy scent Of London’s food forest fills the air The government lost their po ..read more

Trees and shrubs can be used for a wide range of ailments and health boosting benefits, including helping with heart health and circulation. Trees and shrubs can also be used in counteracting symptoms arising from hormonal problems from menstruation to menopause. And there are possibilities in resisting stress and the onset of dementia, as well as helping to increase stamina. Degenerative and chronic diseases are a challenge for many today and we discuss how reducing inflammation can help prolong an active lifestyle and help in beating the diseases of ageing. Circulation and heart health So ho ..read more