Thursday 30 October 2014

What Would Mother Nature Say...

Hello! Hello!  What would Mother Nature say to humankind if she could speak our language?  This is something that came into my mind: "Work with me and flourish.  Work against me and vanish."  As we all know she is 'speaking' to us - but are we listening?

I feel great sadness to see how we treat this planet earth and its inhabitants.  The earth is not a home only for humans, its also a home for all other living species and organisms.  We've been given a huge gift by being a part of nature and it's our responsibility to respect and conserve the environment we live in.

"The greatest thread to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it" - Robert Swan

It's about you and me as an individuals, changing our ways and asking questions to find answers instead of blaming others.  Taking actions every day instead of just talking about climate change.  We all as individuals have the power to change the world into a place we want to live in.  

Choosing the way we live and consume is a powerful act that nobody can ignore. Being a role model to our children so they adopt a meaningful way to live so they can pass it on to their children.

And I don't mean going back 'to anything' - but choosing to live more sustainable and regenerative way, so that this earth is better place tomorrow than it was today for all living species on the earth.

What could you change in your every day life that would have a positive impact on the environment?

Would you consider to do any of these: Do carpooling or using public transport, grow some of your food, shop locally, composting, insulate your house before having an air-con, harvesting rainwater, recycle water, practising zero waste, reduce plastics, avoid buying packaged items, reduce - reuse - recycle, up-cycle etc.

There are so many things that we can do as individuals to make a positive impact on our environment and feel great about it.

Do we really need to buy everything we want? How about buying a second hand item instead of a new one?  Could we swap and share items?  How about start cooking at home? 

Changing our ways is not hard - it's just choosing a 'habit' over another one -  and it can be a lots of fun too :-) 

Here is a great video from ConservationDotOrg tittled with Nature Is Speaking - Julia Roberts is Mother Nature.  Enjoy!

 

http://youtu.be/WmVLcj-XKnM 


Did you enjoyed this video?  Do you agree with a message?  Let us know - we would love to hear your thoughts :-)

Heli Iso-Aho

www.twitter.com/GrowOwnFood  

Wednesday 22 October 2014

Building A Raised Garden - How To Make A Keyhole Garden?

Hello! Hello!  Building a raised garden has many advantages and can be build many different ways.  Today we are going to show you how to make a keyhole garden.

What is a keyhole garden?

A keyhole garden is a simple way of growing your vegetables and recycling your kitchen waste in the same place.  A great advantage with this method of growing food is you don't need much space. 

Also if you live in the hot climate this vegetable gardening method is even more beneficial for you as it is more drought tolerant than a conventional garden bed.

Other benefits of a keyhole garden:
  • A centre compost basket provides nutrients regularly to your plants
  • By having a heat drawing outer wall materials your soil can be warmer than outside the beds
  • Garden has a great access to harvest from all sides
  • Easy to harvest garden by being high of the ground
  • Using recycled materials to build your keyhole garden makes it very affordable - you can use what ever materials available at home e.g. bricks, rocks, timber, bamboo, sheeting etc.
  • If you have pets, this garden system protects more your plants from trampling pets 
To show you how much fun growing your own food can be, I found this great video on How To Make An African Style Raised Bed from Send A Cow .

Enjoy!

http://youtu.be/ykCXfjzfaco 


So what do you think?  Are you ready to start your own keyhole garden yet?  Let us know what you think in the box below and please share this post if you found it helpful :-)
 

Heli Iso-Aho

www.twitter.com/GrowOwnFood  

Thursday 16 October 2014

Is Urban Homesteading Just A Myth? - What Is Urban Homesteading?

Hello!  Is urban homesteading just a myth or is it really something that can be done?  

What is urban homesteading?  To me urban homesteading is about a lifestyle of self-sufficiency and living low impact, sustainable lifestyle in your suburban home.  E.g growing your own food and preserving it for your family.  Harvesting rain water.  Using alternative energy methods such as solar, hydro or wind. Using alternative transportation when ever you can (bicycle, walking).

Wouldn't be nice to have a life where you can 'go grocery shopping' for the most of your food in you backyard.  Knowing that your food is fresh, healthy and a taste of food is unlike anything bought from shops.

To live life that is more simple by working with your community. Sharing, bartering and swapping products with your friends and neighbours.  Selling your surplus food and buy products that you need and cannot produce yourself.

This family from USA shows you how they are living a simple, low impact life in their suburban home.  We found this story to be so inspirational and fun.  

Have a cup of your favourite drink and enjoy this award winning film from Urban Homestead titled with Homegrown Revolution - The Urban Homestead Dervaes .  

This film made my heart sing :-)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IbODJiEM5A


So, what do you think about a self-sufficiency?  Would you do something like this?  Please leave your comments below.

Heli Iso-Aho

www.twitter.com/GrowOwnFood

We hope you found this post inspiring! If so, please be sociable and share :-)

Wednesday 1 October 2014

Dandelions And Permaculture - Why A Permaculturist Loves Dandelions?

Hello! Permaculture people love dandelions - why do you think that is?

Have you ever blown puff balls of dandelion seeds?  I remember that it use to be one of my favourite past time activities as a kid.  Friends and I use to pick dandelions and blow 'puff balls' in to the wind.

I was never told then that dandelions were edible and they had so many great advantages.

What is a dandelion?

A dandelion is a herbaceous plant that is found as a 'weed' all over the world.  See description here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taraxacum

Benefits of dandelions

  • Edible, highly nutritious plant (vitamin C and A. B-6, Iron)
             -- mostly used are leaves, flowers and roots e.g makes a great tea
             -- young leaves and flowers in salads
             -- roots great for roasting and eaten as vegetables
             -- obviously using dandelions only were they haven't been
                 subject to sprays and pesticides

  • A tap root of dandelion brake up compacted soil and allow better water penetration and also aerates the soil.  Also a taproot delivers nutrients and minerals from the deep down on to the surface for other plants that have shallower root system. 

  • Bees love its flower

Disadvantages

  • If you love your lawn then you probably don't like dandelions, as they spread quickly by seeds.  But even then you should thank dandelions by telling you that the soil under your lawn may be compacted and needs aeration.

But who wants to have a 'perfect' lawn anyway :-)

Here I found a couple of great videos for you to enjoy!

The first video is from Paul Wheaton titled with Dandelions In Permaculture and the second video is from Neil Bromhall titled with Time Lapse Dandelion Flower To Seed Head .

Hope you will enjoy them as much as we did :-)

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnYle_Zkgfs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQ_QqtXoyQw

So, what do you think of dandelions now? :-)  We'd love to hear your thoughts in the box below.



Heli & Allan
     


We hope you found this post helpful! If so, please be sociable and share :-)