Permaculture & organic

163 cards. Each one is a 40-second story with a five-minute read behind it.

Why undisturbed soil networks are the secret to moisture conservationExplore a mid-October tour of Homeacres, a productive market garden that utilizes no-dig principles to sustain vegetable growth through the changing seasons.
Can a single weekend transform a barren backyard into a food forest?Through a community event known as a permablitz, strangers and friends collaborate to build productive ecosystems. By providing free labour and expertise, volunteers help homeowne…
How one man transformed a dairy farm into a massive permaculture orchardDiscover how Pete and Sylvia turned a property with only three fruiting plants into a thriving 6-hectare ecosystem. This video explores sustainable orchard management and the dive…
How to maintain a lush lawn without heavy chemical useA beautiful lawn does not require excessive resources or harsh chemicals. By focusing on soil health, proper mowing heights, and targeted organic treatments, you can create a resi…
How the co-originator of permaculture approaches sustainable livingIn this extended interview, David Holmgren discusses the evolution of his permaculture practices and how his personal approach to land management has shifted over three decades.
How a simple hole in the ground feeds a forestIn a steep Sydney backyard, a gardener transformed a challenging slope into a self-sufficient food forest. By using permaculture principles, she turned waste and runoff into a pro…
How a single garden became a blueprint for sustainable livingDiscover Melliodora, the site where permaculture was born. This video explores how simple gardening practices can evolve into a comprehensive framework for reorganizing society an…
How a single red phone box and recycled materials transformed a suburban yardIn Mount Colah, a renovated home serves as a blueprint for ecological living. By repurposing everything from old doors to roof sheets, Mike has turned a standard property into a p…
Can you survive a full year eating only what you grow?In 2019, Sonia embarked on a radical nutritional experiment: a 100% garden-based diet. It was a feat of endurance that tested the limits of self-sufficiency, proving that while a …
How to transform a steep, challenging slope into a thriving, productive food forestHannah Moloney spent a decade turning a steep, thirty-degree Tasmanian slope into a flourishing food forest. By using terraces, swales, and strategic animal integration, she manag…
Can you design a garden that functions exactly like a self-sustaining wild forest?In the Yarra Valley, a dense one-acre food forest mimics natural ecosystems to produce food and medicine. By integrating over 300 plant species, this project transforms a former o…
Bindweed is a relentless garden invader, but you can defeat it without constant digging.Bindweed is a persistent perennial that smothers plants by competing for light and space. While its deep, rhizomatous roots make it notoriously difficult to eradicate, you do not …
Transform your overgrown garden bed into a thriving, productive space with these simple stepsIs your garden bed overrun by weeds or forgotten perennials? A neglected patch is not a lost cause. By systematically clearing invasive growth, harvesting hidden edible treasures,…
Why growing onions from seed beats sets for a healthier, more bountiful harvestWhile onion sets are the standard for convenience, starting from seed offers superior disease resistance and a wider variety of choices. By using a multisow technique, you can pro…
How to cultivate prize-winning roses using organic methods and precise pruning techniquesFor over 35 years, Diana and Graham Sargeant have mastered the art of organic rose cultivation at their Clonbinane farm. By prioritizing soil health and specific feeding routines,…
Why your garden soil thrives when you stop digging and leave it aloneConventional wisdom demands you till and turn your soil before planting. Yet, in a 25sqm no-dig garden, leaving the earth undisturbed allows soil inhabitants to flourish, naturall…
How a patch of lawn became a community lifeline through permacultureNine years ago, it was just a bare patch of grass. Today, the Seeds garden in Brunswick is a thriving hub of connection, using no-dig principles to bridge the gap between people l…
Maximising food production in a 25 square metre gardenExplore how a no-dig approach allows for efficient seasonal transitions. This video follows the progress of a small-scale vegetable plot, demonstrating how to clear and replant fo…
How to maximize food production in a tiny 25sqm gardenDiscover the efficiency of the no-dig method. This video demonstrates how a small, three-bed space can be fully utilized for continuous autumn harvests with minimal labor.
How to manage a productive 25sqm no-dig gardenDiscover the low-maintenance principles of a no-dig gardening system. This video demonstrates how to maintain a small, high-yield plot through strategic succession planting and mi…
What happens when you stop digging your garden for seven years?Explore the simplicity of the 'no-dig' method with Charles Dowding. This video demonstrates how a minimal approach to soil management can sustain a productive winter garden.
Can you grow heat-loving aubergines without ever digging or fertilising your soil?In cooler, oceanic climates, the secret to heavy-yielding aubergines isn't more chemicals or intense labour. By abandoning traditional cultivation, you can harness natural soil li…
How to achieve maximum growth without adding a single drop of fertilizerDiscover how the 'no dig' method transforms a garden into a self-sustaining ecosystem. This video captures six months of continuous harvest and regrowth at Homeacres, proving that…
The efficient art of harvesting through selective pullingDiscover how Charles Dowding manages spring onions and radishes in his small garden. This video demonstrates a streamlined method of multisowing and harvesting using no-dig princi…
How to maintain a 100% organic kitchen garden using only compostJoin Huw Richards for a late July tour of his organic kitchen garden. Discover the principles of growing an abundance of food at home through low-maintenance, organic methods.
Can a garden function like a forest? Exploring permaculture at RHS Garden BridgewaterSylvia Travers, Team Leader at RHS Garden Bridgewater, explains how the site integrates permaculture and agroforestry principles. This video offers insight into how these methods …
Transform your garden into a thriving ecosystem with these strategic flower choicesGardener Huw Richards explains how to select specific flowers that attract beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings. These plants serve dual purposes, acting as natural pest…
Why organic gardening can actually produce higher yields than conventional methodsOrganic gardening requires avoiding harmful chemicals, which presents unique challenges. However, by focusing on fundamental principles often ignored by other approaches, you can …
Can decoy plants protect your garden from pests without using harsh chemicals?Trap cropping is a long-standing organic strategy to manage garden pests. This guide explains how decoy plants function, when to deploy them effectively, and the nuances of using …
Why hosting a community apple day can transform your local food landscapeHuw Richards hosts a local permaculture group for an apple day, demonstrating how sharing resources like apple presses can turn surplus harvests into community connection. This ev…
Can a third of an acre really sustain a thriving, productive food forest?Huw Richards visits a compact forest garden in Hampshire, England, to demonstrate that significant food production and wildlife support do not require vast amounts of land. This v…
How to grow an abundance of food at home with expert guidanceHuw Richards shares his top recommendations for vegetable gardening literature. This video highlights essential resources for anyone looking to master organic growing, soil health…
Can you breed a unique apple variety from scratch in your own garden?Huw Richards launches a long-term project to cultivate 100 new apple trees from seed. By mimicking natural propagation processes, this series explores the journey from seed saving…
How to bridge the hungry gap with annual and perennial cropsDiscover how to maintain a steady food supply throughout the year. This video explores strategic planting options to ensure your garden remains productive even during the difficul…
Could sitting still for half a day save you five days of gardening work?Strategic gardening is about observing how your plot functions as a whole rather than just managing individual plants. By applying a measure-twice-cut-once mindset, you can identi…
Why January is the most underrated month for every home gardenerGardening is often viewed as a seasonal pursuit, but January offers unique opportunities for growth. This video reframes the coldest month as a vital period for planning and prepa…
Can you really grow an abundance of food in just one garden bed?Huw Richards explores the potential of small-scale gardening by demonstrating how to cultivate a continuous supply of produce from a single bed. This video highlights his month-by…
How to cultivate a productive home garden with expert guidanceThis video features a live discussion with Liz Zorab, focusing on practical techniques for growing abundant food at home. It serves as a resource for gardeners looking to improve …
How a small-scale Tasmanian organic garden produces abundant summer harvests in five years.Hannah visits a two-hectare organic market garden in Gardners Bay, Tasmania. Despite being only five years old, this small-scale operation has become a prolific source of diverse …
Why you should stop separating your garden into ornamental and edible zonesMany gardeners strictly categorize plants as either decorative or edible, but mixing them can transform small spaces. This video demonstrates how integrating herbs, vegetables, an…
How a 270-square-foot garden produced 364 pounds of vegetables in one seasonCharles Dowding demonstrates the productivity of a no-dig, 25-square-meter garden in Somerset, UK. Filmed in October 2020, this update highlights succession planting techniques th…
Maximize your harvest by rethinking how you manage small vegetable garden spacesCharles Dowding demonstrates how to achieve continuous vegetable yields in limited areas through close spacing and a no-dig approach. This video explores the effectiveness of surf…
Transitioning your garden from summer harvests to winter salads in one simple stepCharles Dowding demonstrates how to efficiently clear summer crops and prepare beds for winter planting. By utilizing no-dig methods, you can quickly transition your garden space …
The mechanics of a no-dig vegetable garden in early springStep inside Charles Dowding's Somerset garden to see how his 'no dig' method functions during the transition into spring. This tour reveals the practical reality of managing compo…
Should you keep wooden borders in your no-dig garden beds?Wooden edges can be helpful when starting a garden, but they may not be necessary forever. This video demonstrates the process of removing five-year-old timber sides from a no-dig…
How to maintain a productive, weed-free vegetable garden well into the autumn monthsAchieving a year-round harvest does not require constant soil disturbance or heavy fertilizing. By utilizing successional planting techniques in a no-dig system, you can maximize …
How a tiny 25-square-meter garden produces hundreds of kilograms of fresh winter vegetablesIn a small Somerset plot, the no-dig gardening method proves that limited space is no barrier to high yields. By avoiding soil disturbance, this garden minimizes weeds and maximiz…
How to harvest fresh greens from your garden even in the depths of winterCharles Dowding demonstrates that a productive garden does not need to hibernate. By utilizing no-dig methods in a temperate climate, you can continue harvesting fresh greens thro…
Why your garden mistakes might be the most valuable lessons you learn this seasonCharles Dowding reviews his August 2020 garden progress at Homeacres, highlighting specific errors alongside successful crops. This video serves as a guide for gardeners to distin…
Is organic gardening about avoiding chemicals or actively building vibrant, infectious soil health?Charles Dowding explores the dual definition of organic gardening. While many focus on the absence of synthetic chemicals, Dowding argues that the true potential lies in the posit…
Mastering no dig gardening techniques during the peak of summer growthCharles Dowding provides a guided tour of his Homeacres garden, demonstrating how to maintain productive beds during high summer. This video offers practical insights into managin…
Why a no-dig approach creates a thriving, low-maintenance vegetable garden in SomersetCharles Dowding demonstrates how his no-dig gardening method fosters rapid early summer growth. By minimizing soil disturbance, he maintains a healthy, weed-resistant environment …
Why your next raised garden bed should ditch the wooden sides for goodCharles Dowding demonstrates the practical benefits of removing wooden borders from raised beds. By observing his no-dig garden in southwest England five months after removing the…
Seven essential tools to streamline your no-dig gardening success this seasonCharles Dowding shares his personal recommendations for seven gardening products that simplify maintenance at his Homeacres site. This guide explains how these specific items func…
Why killing weeds in the dark can actually improve your soilDiscover the mechanics of no-dig gardening. This video demonstrates how to use mulching and smothering techniques to eliminate weeds while simultaneously nourishing the soil ecosy…
Why no-dig gardening is a simple and rapid way to grow your own parsnipsCharles Dowding explains how to prepare beds for parsnips without digging. This method simplifies the process of sowing and growing, though you might still need a spade for the ha…
Why you should pull your potatoes instead of digging them out of the groundCharles Dowding demonstrates how to harvest potatoes by pulling stems rather than digging. This method works specifically for no-dig gardens where compost is applied to the surfac…
How to harvest fresh salad leaves all winter from a single sowingCharles Dowding demonstrates how to achieve continuous winter salad harvests in unheated structures. By timing sowings to your specific latitude and climate, you can maintain prod…
Can winter vegetables thrive in January? A look at no-dig gardening in SomersetCharles Dowding demonstrates the resilience of his no-dig garden in Somerset, UK, during early January. Despite the short daylight hours, recent mild weather has encouraged unexpe…
A late April tour of the no-dig garden at Homeacres with Charles DowdingCharles Dowding walks through his no-dig garden in late April, showcasing crops that survived the winter alongside fresh spring plantings. This tour highlights the practical reali…

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