Abylene Chalmers

OK, so this might be a point of contention with many gardeners I talk to, but I don’t like, use, or agree with fancy irrigation systems. In my mind, they’re one of the main reasons so many gardens fail, and why so many gardeners become disconnected from what they’re actually trying to grow. I know, I know - some of you are probably wondering in disbelief how on earth it’s possible to maintain a thriving garden without drip feeders, built-in timers, or soak hoses. Aren’t those things...

The humble carrot is something we all like to have on hand, as they are very versatile in the kitchen and used in so many recipes. But the heavily sprayed sickly-sweet carrots found in supermarkets bare no resemblance to their earthy and complexly flavoured homegrown counterparts, and given that carrots are one of our nations most eaten foods - and they are often heavily sprayed with pesticides - we really should be trying to grow as many as possible to at least ease the burden of toxins on...

For those gardening in the Southern Hemisphere, late November is undoubtedly one of the busiest times of the year, with pretty much all our summer crops either in the ground and needing watering and attention, or about to be planted. But with the festive season just around the corner, and the end of year wind down already in motion, it’s a busy time in general, so allocating even just ten minutes a day towards growing your own food can feel daunting. I work with women who want to overcome...