Gardening Tips

We grow potatoes in the permaculture chicken yard, in plots the chickens prepare for us. They weed the ground, fertilise, and clean the mulch of pests. All we have to do is push the potatoes into the mulch, cover them, and leave them to it. 2021 has been the biggest drought in decades, yet with

Building a permaculture pond without a liner is a sustainable and eco-friendly way to create a water feature in your garden. Permaculture ponds, which mimic natural ecosystems, can serve as wildlife habitats, water sources, and even fishponds. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to build a liner-free permaculture pond: 1. Site Selection: 2. Determine the

Muscovy ducks are widely regarded as excellent additions to permaculture systems and gardens for various compelling reasons. Their versatility and valuable contributions to the overall health and productivity of garden ecosystems make them a popular choice for sustainable and regenerative agriculture practices. 1. Pest Control: Muscovy ducks excel at natural pest control within gardens. Their

Permaculture gardens, food forests and orchards often use nitrogen fixing trees and shrubs to supply the nitrogen needed for good production. This video shows 10 of the species we’re working with in the far north of Scotland to feed our food forests, swale systems, garden and orchard without inputs. Nitrogen-fixing trees play a crucial role

This video shows how to grow asparagus in a polyculture. Conventional gardening books will all suggest you can only grow asparagus in a heavily weeded garden bed, but it can grow happily in a polyculture, including grasses, if it’s managed correctly. Growing Asparagus the Permaculture Way: A Sustainable Approach Permaculture is a holistic approach to

Planting any reasonably sized permaculture system can become very expensive if you’re buying all the plants. Many of them can be grown very cheaply from seed or cuttings though, bringing the cost down. This is a quick walkthrough of some of the species we’re growing out ready for planting into the food forest systems here

You don’t need a padi field to see whether growing rice is right for you, you can grow a test crop in buckets. This is the method we use with new varieties, to produce a large enough batch of seed for the next year. We also use buckets to grow a few plants in the

Growing rice in Scotland can be challenging due to the climate, as rice is traditionally a warm-season crop. However, with some adjustments and careful planning, it’s possible to cultivate rice in a controlled environment such as a greenhouse or an indoor space. Transplanting seedlings into a paddy field may not be feasible in Scotland due

Comfrey is the classic mineral accumulating permaculture plant, used for organic fertilisers as well as animal feed. It’s an important plant for pollinators, and is easy to multiply from root fragments. Here is a method to do it without losing the flowers or unduly stressing the plant. You don’t need to cut your comfrey plants

Swales can be very suitable for a wet climate, especially if properly designed and managed. In fact, swales are often used as a sustainable water management technique in regions with high rainfall. Here’s why swales are effective in wet climates and an introduction to the concept of adjustable swales: Advantages of Swales in Wet Climates:

Propagating pineapple sage (Salvia elegans) is a straightforward process that can be done through stem cuttings. Here’s how to easily propagate pineapple sage: Materials You’ll Need: Step-by-Step Propagation: Pineapple sage cuttings can be potted up and grown as new plants, ensuring a continuous supply of this delightful herb. Enjoy the aromatic leaves and their culinary