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Saving our Oceans – The Effects of Veganism on Marine Life.

Animal agriculture has one of the worst effects on the ocean compared to any other human action. The oceans host a wealth of life that is being destroyed at an alarming rate. Vegan diets involve 75% less climate-warming emissions, water pollution and water and land use than those abundant in animals and animal products. 

Oceans cover 70% of the planet and produce more oxygen than the Amazon rainforest. Coral reefs are one of the victims of a warming climate as well as water pollution, and with them, an incredibly diverse ocean ecosystem is at risk.

Read on to learn how a vegan diet can help save the oceans!

Key Takeaways

  • Fishing Disrupts Marine Ecosystems: Overfishing and bycatch from commercial fishing operations disrupt oceanic equilibrium, threatening species and entire ecosystems.
  • Plastic Pollution from Fisheries: A significant portion of ocean plastic, including ghost nets, originates from the fishing industry, contributing heavily to marine pollution.
  • Animal Agriculture's Ocean Impact: Runoff from animal agriculture causes ocean dead zones and coral bleaching, exacerbating the decline of marine ecosystems

The Effect of Fishing On The Ecosystem

Fishing, whether pole fishing or ocean trawling, disrupts the delicate ecosystem of the ocean by removing both predators and prey, destroying the equilibrium. Over-demand for certain species can lead to population collapses, such as with bluefin tuna, Atlantic cod and sardines. As human populations continue to rise, unless the desire to eat fish decreases, the strain put on fisheries could reach a point of no going back as soon as 2050. 

Commercial fishing operations end up catching many species aside from their intended one, including sharks, dolphins, sea turtles and birds, many of which end up dying as a result.

Less demand for seafood driven by an increase in people adopting a vegan lifestyle can reduce the destruction caused by fishing and its unintended by-catch, allowing the ocean ecosystem to continue to exist with as little disruption as possible.

Plastic and Fishing

12.7 million tons of plastic are unceremoniously dumped into the oceans each year. Reducing the use of single-use plastic such as plastic bottles, straws, coffee cups and food wrappers can help. However, researchers believe that 75 - 86% of plastic in the Pacific Garbage Patch comes from fisheries in what are known as ghost nets, which are discarded fishing equipment.

So limiting the eating of fish will not only reduce the amount of fish being removed from the ocean and the subsequent upsetting of the ecosystem but will also reduce the amount of plastic entering the waters from fishing unused and discarded equipment. 

Fishing And Coral Reefs

A quarter of marine species live on coral reefs, and half a billion people globally rely on them for their livelihoods. Fishing negatively affects a whopping 55% of coral reefs. When certain fish species are overfished, algae can proliferate, smothering coral reefs and all life forms that depend on them.

Sharks are keystone species, having been around on the planet since before the dinosaurs roamed the planet and trees existed. Demand for shark fin has caused the five main species of reef sharks to decline by 65% in recent years. Sharks are integral in upholding the health and longevity of the reefs, yet are threatened by humankind.

Coral reef fishing even involves horrifically destructive practices such as using dynamite and poisons, as well as trawling. These practices cause the wholesale destruction of the entire ecosystem to satisfy the tastebuds of some and for the profit of a few.

Animal Agriculture and Ocean Health

Modern animal agriculture includes the use of large amounts of chemical fertilisers, pesticides and a plethora of other ecosystem-disrupting chemicals, many of which make their way to coral reefs and potentially cause bleaching. Animal manure also finds its way into the oceans, where it deprives the area of oxygen, creating dead zones where no life can survive.

As discussed in previous articles, animal agriculture is responsible for an alarming amount of planet-warming gases. When plants are eaten by humans instead of fed to animals, we can reduce the amount of agricultural land needed and the ecological damage caused. 

Fish farming accounts for a large amount of fish consumed globally and causes an overabundance of nutrients in areas that can choke other life forms nearby. Choosing a vegan diet can help mitigate ocean-bound pollution caused by land and sea-based animal farming.

  • Animal agriculture and fish farming contribute significantly to ocean pollution, dead zones, and coral reef damage through chemical runoff and waste. Shifting to a vegan diet can reduce this environmental harm and help protect marine ecosystems.

Microplastics and Personal Hygiene

Many people fail to realise, that every unnatural chemical soap, detergent, toothpaste and the like ends up in the waterways. Many even contain microplastics, many of which are far too small to be filtered out before being released into the oceans, where they can wreak havoc on the ecosystem for generations to come. The same can be said for clothes and textiles made from synthetic fibres. 

Veganism at its heart has a concern for the welfare of all sentient beings, and as such tends to favour ecologically sustainable practices. Whilst not all items that are labelled as vegan are ecological or sustainable, the broader ethics and philosophy favours greater awareness of the effects of the choices we make. 

FINAL THOUGHTS

Embracing a vegan lifestyle not only dictates what you ingest but has ramifications for the health of the world that we inhabit. Eating fewer animals, including fish can help reduce environmental pollution, such as agricultural run-off that kills whole ecosystems and also limits plastic pollution in the oceans. Vegan diets also are responsible for much less greenhouse gases which are known to destroy coral reefs which are fountains of biodiversity. 

Veganism and ecological awareness go hand in hand, and adopting the shift in consciousness required for a plant-based lifestyle can help reduce ecological damage to our oceans. 

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4 Ways to Enrich Your Soil to Grow Healthy, Nutritionally Dense Food

Anyone interested in growing a garden will have to learn different ways to increase soil fertility. The fertility of the soil is what allows plants to grow strong and healthy and fight off attacks from insects and diseases. Plants can only be attacked when they exist in suboptimal conditions.

Our job as gardeners and plant guardians is to provide plants with the optimal conditions for their growth. In return, they’ll reward us with a bountiful harvest of fruit, vegetables, or flowers depending on what we’ve planted!

Read on to learn how to enrich your garden soil and grow thriving plants and nutritional-dense food!

Key Takeaways

  • Compost Regularly: Add diverse compost to boost soil fertility and encourage microbial activity for healthier plants.
  • Incorporate Biomass: Use organic matter or nitrogen-fixing plants to naturally enrich soil and support crop growth.
  • Mimic Nature: Observe natural ecosystems to create a thriving, self-sustaining garden with minimal effort.

Compost

One of the most obvious ways to enrich your soil is to constantly feed it with compost.

Compost is partially or fully decomposed organic matter. Compost can be made by recycling any organic matter such as food or garden waste, manure, grass clippings, cardboard etc. This will break down into compounds which feed the soil microorganisms and ultimately provide food for your plants, which, in turn, feed you.

There are many different ways to make compost, from hot compost to cold compost, vermicompost (worm castings) bokashi (fermented food scraps) and beyond.

Composting different materials with different processes will achieve different chemical compositions in the compost, which will in turn favor different biological processes in the garden.

For example, a compost with a majority of brown, carbon elements such as woody material will create a more fugally dominant compost, best suited for trees. In contrast, compost with a higher amount of nitrogen will create a more bacteria-rich compost which will benefit annual crops.

However, the best compost generally is a balanced one. Your garden soil will be most healthy when it is exposed to the greatest amount of microbial activity.

  • Feed your soil regularly with compost to enrich it and promote healthy microbial activity; balanced compost, combining carbon-rich and nitrogen-rich materials, supports both trees and annual crops for optimal garden health

Grow Biomass

Biomass simply refers to organic matter.

Laying down organic matter in garden beds allows organic materials to break down and compost in place, meaning less effort on your part.

The downside of this is that it usually takes longer to break down than composting. Certain plants can be grown expressively to feed to other plants as green manure. This will depend on your climate but could involve grasses, native ‘weeds,’ or any fast-growing species in your area.

Nitrogen-rich plants including nitrogen fixers are also a good option, as they can be pruned and fed to your target crop. Their nitrogen-rich leaves will feed your other plants, and when pruned, they release more nitrogen from their roots which become bio-available for other plants in the area.

Biochar

Biochar is organic matter that’s undergone a process called pyrolysis (basically being charred with little oxygen) and gets turned into charcoal. Biochar is different to charcoal in that it typically has a larger surface area and is more porous.

A typical piece of biochar has the surface area of a football field!

After made, the biochar is  ‘charged’ where it is filled with beneficial microbial life which is then slowly released into the soil. Biochar is also known as terra preta, Portuguese for black earth and is considered a soil amendment rather than a fertilizer. 

Biochar increases the soil's ability to hold onto nutrients in a form that is easily accessible to plant roots. Not only that, but is known to help mitigate damages caused by droughts and floods and rid the soil of pollutants and heavy metals. 

Mimic Nature

The most ecologically efficient way to grow a garden is to observe nature and mimic her.

Observation is key, and with this approach; you’re likely to spend more time observing than doing, but you can be rewarded with a bountiful garden!

By observing and mimicking natural patterns, you can work on the side of nature as opposed to fighting against her. This way you actively take feedback and act (or not) following the natural systems that are taking place around you.

By doing things like leaving fallen leaves and weeds, and planting natives, you can help yourself to create microclimates suitable as nursery sites for young plants you want to focus on. Mimicking nature allows you to harness the natural propensity of life to move towards greater systems of complexity over time (syntropy). 

When we focus on harnessing this power, our workload becomes less because we stop fighting what the land and soil are already trying to do.

Last but not least, I’d be remiss not to mention worm farming here. Worms are the number one soil creators on the planet, and we can harness their soil-making powers in our garden by creating a worm farm so we can harvest vermicompost (worm castings) which is a valuable fertilizer and excellent for homemade potting mixes.

  • Mimicking natural patterns in your garden by observing and working with nature reduces effort and enhances productivity, creating microclimates, improving soil health with methods like worm farming, and harnessing nature's tendency toward greater complexity and balance.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Focusing on growing soil is the surest way to ensure you grow happy and healthy plants that are free from pests and diseases.

Regularly adding compost to your garden is a great way to boost the health of your soil. There are many different ways to compost, and the bigger the variety of composts you make with different methods, the greater the microbial life in your soil will be.

Aside from compost, you can use green manures or any organic matter as biomass, which will eventually break down and turn into compost.

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The Pros and Cons of Veganism on the Environment

Veganism has surged in popularity over the past decade, with approximately 1.1% of the world's population abstaining from consuming or using animal products for ethical, environmental or health concerns. Vegan diets generally use less water, produce fewer greenhouse gases, and on the whole tend to foster more compassionate, informed choices that can help elevate the general consciousness towards a more holistic mode of living.

A vegan diet is often hailed as being of huge benefit to the environment. Whilst this is generally true, there are a few caveats to take into account.

Read on for a more nuanced understanding of some of the pros and cons of veganism on the environment.

Key Takeaways

  • Vegan diets significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and water consumption compared to animal-based diets.
  • Sustainable sourcing and avoiding monocultures are crucial for maximizing veganism's environmental benefits.
  • Mindful consumption and supporting local producers are key to minimizing environmental impact, regardless of diet.

The Negative Impact Of Non-Vegan Food Production

Animal agriculture is responsible for a wide range of negative impacts on the environment. One of the most persuasive arguments for veganism for the more rationally persuaded lies in the undeniable benefit for the environment above an animal-based diet.

Animal farming, especially cattle, is responsible for large amounts of greenhouse gases such as C02 and methane and also requires large amounts of land and water. A reduction in the amount of animals farmed for human consumption could help with climate change mitigation.


Land Use

Animal farming uses large amounts of both land and water. Land is needed to graze animals, and if the land used was formerly ecologically diverse, and has been cleared, the biodiversity loss will be significant. Similarly, how the land is managed is significant, with the majority of industrialised agriculture having a devastatingly negative environmental impact.

Vegan thinking fosters environmental concern and respect for all forms of life regardless of size. A radical shift towards a vegan diet could free up large swathes of land formerly used for animal agriculture, and allow for regenerative agriculture and reforestation efforts to supplant destructive and cruel industrial agriculture.

On the other hand, there are some farmers employing regenerative agricultural models with animals helping to bring back fertility into formerly over-grazed areas. Grazing animals, if properly managed, can help bring back fertility into the landscape.

Water Use

Animal agriculture is water intensive, and with 1.8 billion people expected to face water shortage in 2025, this is becoming more pressing than ever. Producing a kilo of beef uses significantly more water than a plant-based alternative, such as legumes, grains, vegetables or fruit. This reduction in water usage could prove a vital difference for the many people living in water-scarce regions.


Why Veganism Alone Isn’t Enough

Whilst studies have repeatedly shown that vegan diets can have a lower environmental impact than omnivorous diets, it also depends on the type of plant-based food consumed, how and where it’s grown, packaged and where it’s consumed. 

As previously mentioned, veganism is about increasing the consciousness of mankind so we can make more compassionate choices. So it’s natural that how the food we eat is grown can have an important impact on the environmental effects of our food choices.

Importance of How And Where Your Food Is Grown

Whilst numerous studies have shown that meat-heavy diets have a greater environmental impact than plant-based ones, it also depends on the type of vegan diet and how the food is grown. It’s worth noting that a heavy reliance on crops grown in monocultures or imported from other corners of the globe can have a significantly negative impact. 

Monocultures often rely on heavy amounts of synthetic fertilisers which wreak havoc on soil health and people’s health. It can also destroy biodiversity and soil health, as fields are often left fallow when not in use, leading to the loss of topsoil which increases desertification. 

Those following vegan diets in colder climates may find that the food they consume is grown in far-off places, meaning large amounts of C02 are released during transportation. Focusing on locally grown and seasonal produce can eliminate this problem. However, vegans living in areas with long cold winters and shorter growing seasons may struggle to fulfill their needs with locally grown foods. 

Food Waste

Food waste is a problem facing the sustainability of our food production regardless of dietary choices, with about one-third of food produced being wasted. This involves a huge amount of resources such as land, water, labour and energy being used in vain, which in turn causes an increase in greenhouse gases, and waste being dumped into landfills, plastic packaging as well as waterways being polluted. 

Whilst all food production can lead to food waste, vegan diets, if not carefully managed, can contribute a lot due to the perishability of fresh produce. To counter this, proper food management practices at home such as meal planning can help, as well as either home or community composting initiatives. Managing food waste is equally as important for both vegan and non-vegan diets and needs to be taken into consideration if we are serious about creating a more sustainable food system.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Sustainable farming practices are vital for the health of the environment, whether you follow a vegan diet or not. Whilst vegan diets are generally considered better for the environment, making sure the food you consume is grown with responsible and ethical environmental practices is vital, regardless of your dietary choices as industrialised farming practices have little regard for the health of the planet or that of consumers. 

Focusing on decentralised and localised seasonal farmers and producers can ensure your food choices have the least negative environmental impact possible regardless.

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Understanding the Principles of Ethical Veganism

Ethical vegans oppose the exploitation of animals for human use, with their lives being viewed as being inherently valuable regardless of their utility for humans. Animals are conscious beings who feel pain and suffer, and consequently should not be abused, tortured or killed for our enjoyment or pleasure. 

Ethical veganism can also be rooted in environmental concerns. The foundations of ethical veganism are in making choices rooted in compassion, and respect for all life and the processes of life. 

Veganism is not merely some fad diet, or some obnoxious ideal touted by overprivileged youths, as some ill-informed commentators may have you believe, but is deeply rooted in ancient ideals of understanding and respect.

Read on to better understand the principles of ethical veganism.

Key Takeaways

  • Ethical veganism is rooted in compassion and the belief that all living beings have the right to exist free from harm. It promotes minimizing violence toward animals, the environment, and even oneself through conscious lifestyle choices.
  • Ethical vegans recognize the devastating impact of industrial animal agriculture on deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, and biodiversity loss. By rejecting industries that exploit animals, they contribute to a more sustainable and balanced ecosystem.
  • Ethical veganism extends beyond dietary choices, influencing clothing, cosmetics, entertainment, and consumer habits. It is a holistic approach to living that aligns with values of justice, sustainability, and respect for all sentient beings.

Compassion and Non-Violence

Compassion is the main driving force behind ethical veganism.

It is maintained that all living beings have the inalienable right to exist and that any action that violates this right should be avoided as an ethical imperative. Whilst avoiding all forms of violence is a near impossibility, our actions should aim to minimize violence to other life forms as well as ourselves as much as possible. 

Non-human animals are treated as having intrinsic value and are not used merely as a means to an end or as a commodity for human purposes.

The idea is to avoid the exploitation of animals as far as possible. This includes the consumption of animal-based foods such as meat, seafood, eggs, milk etc. as well as the avoidance of products tested on animals. It is also not merely limited to consumption but includes the avoidance of using non-edible products derived from animals for clothing, shelter, household use or any other function.

Environmental Responsibility

Ethical veganism is also firmly rooted in a holistic understanding of our place on this planet and accepts that our individual survival depends on the survival of the whole. The pervasive, often unconscious, worldview that pervades the modern world is one firmly rooted in the reductionist materialist paradigm, which sees the world as a series of unconnected phenomena, each of which can freely be used for any end.

Ethical veganism aims to recalibrate mankind back into its place as a connected part of the cycle of life that bears a responsibility to respect the planet and the life forces that sustain it. Animals are not viewed merely as a resource to be exploited but as having an inherent value in themselves.

Beyond Dietary Choices

Ethical vegans not only refuse to eat animal-derived products but also refuse their use for clothing, cosmetics, and household items. Leather, fur, wool, silk are avoided as are personal care items that include animal-derived products or are tested on animals. Forms of entertainment that utilise animals are avoided, such as rodeo, bullfighting, animal racing/ fights, etc. 

Ethical veganism serves to highlight animal rights and environmental justice. Ethical veganism recognizes the harm done to the environment through modern agricultural practices, in terms of the degradation of entire landscapes and its corresponding biodiversity through desertification, loss of top soil, water source pollution, and the emission of greenhouse gases. 

  • Ethical vegans live in alignment with their values by avoiding all forms of animal exploitation from food and fashion to cosmetics and entertainment—while also standing up for animal rights and environmental justice.

Away From Dogma and Towards Compassion.

Ethical veganism is not rigidly dogmatic and aims to guide individuals towards more compassionate choices and limit the damage we cause to our environment through the fulfilment of our needs and desires. The idea is to grow in awareness and work towards making choices rooted in compassion for all living beings, to the best of your abilities and capabilities in the present moment.   

Ethical vegans may also feel compelled, out of compassion, to share the potential health benefits of a vegan diet to those suffering from issues such as high blood pressure, heart disease, colon issues and certain types of cancers that can be treated with a plant-based diet. 

Clearing Misconceptions

Ethical veganism is largely about social justice and advocates for the rights of all sentient life, meaning its scope extends far beyond the plate. Its concern is much more about living in a fair and equitable world where every living being's right to life is valued as much as each other’s, than with expounding doctrines or laying blame.

Animal-based foods are deeply ingrained in many cultures, with many people believing omitting them from your diet will leave you with deficiencies in protein, omega fatty acids, iron, vitamin b12 and so on. However, with a little understanding and some planning it is easily possible to meet all your nutritional needs with a vegan diet. 

FINAL THOUGHTS

Ethical Veganism is about much more than dietary choices. It’s better considered a philosophical viewpoint rooted in a basic belief in the inherent value of all life. Compassion is the driving force behind ethical vegan principles which manifests in more sustainable lifestyle choices, justice for animals and greater respect for the environment and world that sustains us.

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7 Powerful Medicinal Plants You Can Grow in Different Climates

Herbs have been the primary source of medicine for thousands of years.  Long before the petrochemical pharmaceuticals began their reprogramming of the public psyche, people knew which herbs treated which common ailments, and how to grow and prepare them.

By growing your herbs at home, you can easily treat yourself and your family for common ailments and discomforts. Whether you live in the tropics, subtropics, or the temperate world, have large acreage or just a kitchen window, there are numerous types of medicinal herbs you can grow at home to boost your health.

Read on to learn more!

Key Takeaways

  • Learn Your Climate: Understand which medicinal herbs grow best in your specific climate for optimal success.
  • Choose Versatile Herbs: Plants like chamomile, thyme, and tulsi thrive in various conditions and offer a range of health benefits.
  • Embrace Self-Sufficiency: Growing medicinal plants promotes autonomy and supports natural, sustainable wellness practices.

Learn Your Climate

Learn which herbs grow best in your climate to ensure your best chances of success.

Temperate climates are defined by all four seasons, allowing growers to cultivate a range of medicinal herbs. Growers in the tropics or subtropics can  also grow a wide range of medicinal herbs in their gardens

Chamomile

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) is one of my favorite medicinal herbs and is perfect for a cup of tea in the nighttime to improve digestion and induce relaxation.

There are two main types of chamomile, Roman (Chamaemelum nobile) and German (Matricaria chamomilla) both have nearly identical benefits and growing requirements.

Roman chamomile, also known as Russian or English chamomile forms a dense ground cover and is a perennial, whereas German Chamomile grows upright and is an annual plant.

Roman chamomile has a sweet, fruity and warm herby scent. Whereas German chamomile has more of strong, sweet herbaceous and hey-like aroma.

Chamomile contains slightly more of the essential oil chamazulene.

Chamomile is easy to grow as well as beautiful!

The flowers are used medicinally and look similar to daisies and have a pleasant scent that is loved by pollinators.

Chamomile grows best in cool semi-shaded positions, with well-drained soil. The flowers can be harvested as soon as they open. It’s known for its anti-inflammatory, anti-septic and calming properties. Chamomile easily grows in USDA zones 4-9.


  • Chamomile is a versatile yet calming herb that is perfect for improving digestion and promoting relaxation, with both Roman (perennial) and German (annual) varieties offering nearly identical benefits. Easy to grow in USDA zones 4-9, its daisy-like flowers are loved by pollinators and valued for their anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.

Thyme

There are many different varieties of this popular medicinal herb you can grow, the most common being Thymus vulgaris.

Thyme is a sun and heat-loving herb that thrives in somewhat dry conditions and is a herbaceous perennial which can be harvested throughout the year in warmer areas. Thyme will happily grow in poor, rocky or sandy soil.

Thyme’s medicinal profile includes its ability to alleviate cough, reduce inflammation, boost immunity, lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels, aid digestion and calm digestive issues, amongst more.

Many different types of thyme will grow in zones 4-10.

Lemongrass

Growers in warmer tropical/subtropical areas can grow lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) which thrives in hot, sunny, wet areas, although also adapts to dier and shadier conditions.

Lemongrass has a wonderful citrusy aroma, which is known to repel mosquitos and other pests. Lemongrass is known to help alleviate digestive complaints, has antibacterial properties and is helpful in lowering stress levels. 

Lemongrass will grow best in zones 9-10.

  • Lemongrass thrives in hot, sunny climates (zones 9-10) and adapts to various conditions, offering a citrusy aroma that repels pests while providing antibacterial, stress-reducing, and digestive benefits.

Tulsi (Holy Basil)

Tulsi is a sacred plant in India and can be grown in harsh, dry conditions. Tulsi is known for its immune-boosting properties, respiratory benefits and its ability to reduce stress levels. 

Tulsi can be grown and harvested year-round in frost-free areas, zones 10-11, where it acts like a perennial, living up to 4 years. In colder climates, tulsi can be grown as an annual plant, or can be planted in containers and be brought indoors in the colder months.  

Lemon Verbena

Lemon Verbena is another of my favorite herbs that makes a delicious medicinal tea.

As the name implies, the plant has a lovely lemon aroma. Lemon Verbena is known to be rich in anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative compounds, making it useful in reducing inflammation in the body as well as oxidative stress. It’s known to help with digestive issues such as gas, and bronchitis, as well as with diarrhea and constipation and also in reducing stress.

Lemon Verbena will grow in sunny areas but prefers some afternoon shade/dappled light in hotter areas. It’s a perennial in warmer climes, but will go dormant in colder areas and grows in USDA zones 8-11.

  • Lemon Verbena, with its refreshing lemon aroma, makes a soothing medicinal tea rich in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, helping reduce stress, inflammation, and digestive issues. Thriving in USDA zones 8-11, it prefers sunny spots with some afternoon shade in hotter climates.

Peppermint

Peppermint (Mentha × Piperita) grows best in moist shaded areas and is suited for cool areas in the mountains, although it’ll also adapt to warmer locations. Peppermint has long been used for its ability to regulate stomach issues such as indigestion, gas,  bloating, and constipation as well as for its benefits for the respiratory tract.

Peppermint is a hardy plant that quickly spreads in a moist area with rich soil.

Comfrey

Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) also known as knit-back is a powerhouse of a plant with many uses, both for your health and for your garden. Comfrey is used on the skin to treat wounds and reduce inflammation caused by broken bones or sprains. 

The roots and leaves of comfrey produce allantoin, which helps new skin cells develop, making it a useful first aid plant to have in your garden.

Comfrey grows in moist areas in Europe and some parts of Asia. It has many functions, such as its ability to mine minerals from the subsoil, thanks to its long tap root and is used as biomass, mulch or to make liquid fertilizers. 

  • Comfrey is versatile plant known as knit-back, supports skin healing and reduces inflammation with its allantoin-rich roots and leaves. Thriving in moist areas, it also benefits gardens by mining minerals, providing mulch, and creating nutrient-rich liquid fertilizers.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Growing your own medicinal herbs is a powerful thing to do. Not only does it help give you and your family autonomy, but helps you keep your health and wellness in your own hands and not in those of big pharmaceutical companies. 

Whilst this list is only the tip of the iceberg, I hope it has inspired you to consider growing some medicinal herbs in your home, wherever in the world you are and however much space you have at your disposal.

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7 Things to Do With Garden Abundance: Food Preservation Techniques for Everyone

Garden abundance is the dream of every budding gardener out there.

Imagine having so much fresh produce, you don’t know what to do with it!? In temperate climates, the majority of your garden produce will come in the summertime.

Once the heat of the summer wanes and the days start getting shorter, you may wish for the bounty of summertime.

Plan ahead and consider preserving your garden harvest so you can enjoy it during the cooler winter months, when your garden may not provide as much.

Food preservation can be a daunting task for those new to it, but by learning a few simple techniques, you can prolong your appreciation of your precious produce throughout the year.

Read on to learn some ways on how to deal with your garden's abundance.

Key Takeaways

  • Preserve food with methods like fermenting, drying, freezing, and canning.
  • Share excess produce with friends, neighbors, or local charities.
  • Infuse oils, make tinctures, or create homemade gifts to enjoy your harvest all year.

1. Fermenting

A fun, easy and healthy way to deal with produce is to ferment it!

People have been fermenting food for thousands of years, and there are many ways to go about this process. Fermenting, also known as lacto-fermentation involves turning food sugars into lactic acid, which in turn prevents the production of unwanted harmful bacteria, thus preserving the food.

A simple method involves tightly packing vegetables in jars with salt and water and allowing them to sit for some time. How long you leave them depends on factors such as ambient temperature and your desired results. 

Fermenting food also improves the food's nutrient and enzyme profile, and also helps in its digestibility.  Just about any vegetable can be fermented, either singularly or together. You can also add herbs or spices from the garden for added health benefits or simply for taste.

  • Fermenting vegetables is a simple and healthy way to preserve produce, boost nutrients, and enhance digestibility—start by packing veggies in jars with salt and water, and customize with your favorite herbs or spices for added flavor and benefits.

2. Drying/Dehydrating

Most food, including herbs, spices, fruit and vegetables can be dried.

Drying removes all the moisture from food which is where the harmful bacteria and yeasts will grow and prevent their preservation. Many foods, such as fruit or vegetables can be dried directly in the hot sun and will be ready after several days. Things like herbs are best dried in the shade.

You can even build yourself a solar dehydrator, or failing that can purchase an electric one for indoor use, or even use an oven on low heat.

TIP:

  • Vegetables can be dried directly in the hot sun
  • Herbs are best to be dried in the shade

3. Freeze

If you have space and power, freezing is an easy way to preserve your food for the cooler months. Freezing is an easy and low-fuss way to preserve your food long after it’s been grown, and picked.

 Studies show that freezing actually retains foods' nutritional value. Frozen food can be cooked into soups, and stews, used in smoothies or countless other ways.

4. Canning

Canning involves a bit of work but allows you to turn fresh produce into shelf-stable food that will last a very long time.

There are two main methods for canning; water bath canning and pressure canning. If you’re new to canning, be sure to follow basic health protocols, such as properly sterilizing jars and other equipment you need to use

5. Water Bath Canning

This type of canning is ideal for acidic food such as tomatoes, fruit jams, jellies, pickles or chutneys. It’s the quicker of the two processes.

6. Pressure Canning

This process is better for things such as soups, stews, stocks etc. It’s more suited to low-acid vegetables.

7. Give it Away!

If you still have too much and don’t have the time or inclination to preserve it, I'm sure your family, friends and neighbours would be more than happy to take some of the abundance off of your hands! Sharing is caring, as they say! And what’s more caring than sharing rich, nutrient-dense food for your friends and loved ones to nourish themselves with? 

If you’ve got no one to give it to, consider donating it to people in need, to a soup kitchen, or barter it in your local community for other goods. If there’s no swap group in your area then consider starting one.

8. Bonus Ideas

Food can be infused in oil or vinegar which can later be used as a flavorful addition in your kitchen to spice up your winter salads, stews or anything else. If you’re feeling adventurous and have too many aromatic or medicinal herbs, consider making tinctures, creams, or even essential oils.

Whilst these may require more effort, (easily learnt) skills and some equipment, you can create value-added products to your produce to use yourself, give as thoughtful gifts to your loved ones or even sell should you want to.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Preserving the bounty of your summer harvests is a great way to enjoy the abundance throughout the year.

Preserving your food whilst you’ve got it and it’s at its peak allows you to enjoy it in the colder winter months when your favorite summer fruit, vegetables and herbs may have stopped producing.

There are many ways to preserve food, no matter if you choose tried and tested methods used throughout the ages or go for a more modern approach, there are food preservation techniques for everyone to use and spread the bounty of your harvest throughout the year and through your community of friends and relatives.

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Taking Care of Pests Naturally

There’s nothing worse than planning and planting a garden full of hopes and dreams, only to have it overrun by various pests and plagues. Fortunately, by following nature's lead, there are many ways that we can avoid outbreaks of crop-ruining infestations. Looking at natural systems, we can see that plants exist in polycultures and don’t require anyone to go around spraying toxic chemicals or manually removing unwanted bugs by hand.

By following some basic principles, we can make sure we collaborate with nature as opposed to working against her. Read on to find out about some easy ways you can help take care of pests naturally and achieve the thriving, beautiful, ecologically diverse garden you’ve always dreamed of.

Key Takeaways

  • Build Healthy Soil: Use compost to nurture soil and grow strong, resilient plants
  • Companion Planting: Pair plants to repel pests and enhance growth.
  • Diversify Plantings: Dense, mixed planting confuses pests and supports predators.

Grow Soil

Growing healthy soil is the most important thing you can do if you aim to grow a natural, organic garden. By growing healthy soil, you give plants the best chance to express themselves to their full potential. Focus on feeding your soil, and the soil will take care of the health of your plants.

By adopting a more holistic purview, we can see the garden as a single organism that functions through the cooperation of all its parts, as opposed to separate, isolated instances of plants and pests.

Let’s look at some of the ways that you can go about growing soil in your garden.

Compost

There are innumerable ways to make compost. Compost is simply decayed or decaying organic matter that is used to build and regenerate soil. Compost adds nutrients to your garden and also helps in retaining water. When plants can keep themselves healthy, it becomes very difficult for them to suffer attacks from disease or pests, as they have built strength and resilience from their surroundings.

Different types of compost made from different materials and different methods will provide a different array of microbes for the soil. By using different composts made from different methods, you can ensure that your soil has the widest range of life in it, making it strong, healthy and capable of growing resilient and bountiful plants. 

Generally speaking, good compost needs a balance of green and browns, (carbon and nitrogen,) Annuals tend to prefer a bacterial-dominant compost which will have been made with a greater amount of greens, whereas trees require a fungal-based compost, which is made from more carbon-based compost. However, the wider the spectrum of microbes you can feed your plants, the better off they’ll be!

Companion Planting And Intercropping

Companion planting involves planting numerous plants together that can work in harmony; each providing a different function for the other.

Examples include things like basil or marigolds close to tomatoes, broccoli with nasturtiums, dill, or chamomile.

Hot peppers work well planted with many different plants because capsaicin serves as a deterrent for many insects.

Companion planting is a dynamic living process, and many factors can affect its efficacy. These are just the tip of the iceberg!

Perhaps one of the most famous companion planting systems is what is known as the Three Sisters. 

The three sisters are responsible for the proliferation of life in the land known nowadays as the Americas. 

The Three Sisters are corn, beans and squash. Corn grows upright, providing a stake for the beans to grow up. The beans, in turn, being a legume, fix atmospheric nitrogen into the soil, making it available for the corn and the squash. 

The squash acts as a ground cover, retaining moisture for the other two. When eaten together, the three sisters provide a complete diet. Strong-smelling perennial herbs or aromatic plants such as thyme, chives, lavender etc. are also useful in repelling pests.

Plant Densely in Mixed Beds

By simply planting a dense mix of plants together you can confuse pests that may be looking for something in particular. Monocultures are more susceptible to attacks than polycultures, as the vast array of scents, flowers, textures, colours, and shapes can throw insects off. They also provide a wider ecological habitat, which can provide a home for predator insects such as ladybirds which can eat unwanted insect visitors to your gardens. 

In short, by mimicking natural systems and shying away as much as possible from single-species gardens, we can give our gardens the best chances of providing the ecological niches necessary to harbour predators of unwanted pests.

As Bill Mollinson, one of the founders of permaculture said, ‘You don’t have a slug problem, you have a duck deficiency.'

FINAL THOUGHTS

Taking care of pests naturally is done by creating, as best as you can, a healthy and fully functional ecosystem. This can be done by carefully observing the way natural systems work and emulating them in your garden.

Examples include but are not limited to building soil fertility with compost and mulch and making sure the soil is always covered and never exposed, to maximize the life in the soil. Companion planting can help confuse and distract pests by taking them off the scent of your precious crops.

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Grow Ginger and Turmeric Anywhere

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) and turmeric (Curcuma longa) have long been utilised for their health benefits, especially in Asia. They can be used in food preparation, as teas, or as supplements. Some of the benefits include aiding digestion, reducing inflammation, reducing inflammation, pain relief, for joint and heart health. Both are known for being powerful anti-inflammatories, and for their ability to reduce oxidative stress.

Aside from their impressive array of health benefits, ginger and turmeric are beautiful plants that can be easily grown, even if you live outside their preferred growing range. Ginger and turmeric can be grown in garden beds as annuals, in pots or containers or even inside if they can receive enough sun.

Read on to learn some of the ways you can cultivate these powerful plants yourself!

Key Takeaways

  • Ginger and turmeric are tropical plants that can grow in most climates with the right care.
  • They require loose, well-drained soil, consistent moisture, and partial shade.
  • Harvest ginger in 8–10 months and turmeric in 10–12 months for fresh, organic rhizomes.

What Are Ginger And Turmeric?

Ginger and turmeric are part of the Zingiberaceae family and are perennials, though often grown as annuals. Coming from the tropics, they prefer a warm and humid environment and grow in partial shade, naturally being understory plants. 

They are grown for their roots, known as rhizomes, which can either be used fresh or dried and ground into powder. Both are especially popular in South Asian cuisines and have a long history with Ayurveda, (traditional Indian Medicine.) Whilst primarily grown as medicinal and culinary plants, they both are incredibly beautiful and lush and produce mesmerizing flowers.

Turmeric contains curcumin, which is known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. Ginger contains gingerol, which is known to reduce nausea and problems with digestion. 

Growing Conditions

Growing your own ginger and turmeric can help lessen your reliance on shop-bought products, which are often shipped long distances.

It can also ensure that your produce is organic, making sure that you reap the numerous health benefits. 

Ginger grows best with an average temperature of 70–85°F (21–29°C) and takes 8-10 months to fully mature, but can be partially harvested after 4 months.

If you live in USDA zones 8 or higher, you can easily grow ginger and turmeric in the ground. If you live further north, fret not, you can still grow these powerful plants yourself, with a little bit of extra care!

Both ginger and turmeric grow best in loose, well-drained soil. 

The richer the soil the better, but turmeric has some tolerance for poor soil. In fact, I put some homemade compost on some new garden beds I was starting that had very poor soil and turmeric sprouted from the compost! It's the large green lead with the red line in the middle. it sprouted right through a patch of lemon thyme!

How To Plant Ginger and Turmeric

First, select organic roots as non-organic ones may be sprayed with chemicals that stop them from sprouting. Make sure each rhizome has ‘eyes,’ which are the knobbly points where the shoots will emerge from. Bigger pieces can be broken into smaller ones and separated. They can be planted in late winter or early spring when temperatures are warming up. Indoors or in a greenhouse with stable conditions they can be planted year round.

For container growth, make sure you have a big container, ideally 12 inches deep, with good drainage to prevent rot. The rhizomes should be planted about 1-2 inches deep, with the eyes facing upwards.

Maintenance

Growing Ginger And Turmeric in Temperate ClimatesGinger and turmeric like consistent moisture, so try and keep the soil moist, but not wet. If your climate is dry, or you are growing inside, consider misting the plants.

In the warmer months, increasing the watering, whilst reducing it when the cold weather and dormancy period sets in. 

Feed with organic compost, or homemade plant amendments, to increase plant growth and health. Mulch with whatever organic matter you have, such as grass clippings or other plants you’ve pruned, wood chips, straw etc.

Both are relatively simple to grow, provided the soil is loose enough and provides adequate drainage. 

Protect plants from extremes of heat, sun and cold.

Growing Ginger And Turmeric in Temperate Climates

If you live outside of the tropics or subtropics in a cool temperate zone, ginger and turmeric can be grown in pots or containers and protected before the frosts arrive. You can place them inside a greenhouse if you have one. If you don’t have a greenhouse you can bring them inside during the colder weather and place them close to a bright window where they’ll receive adequate sunlight. 

Naturally ginger and turmeric are both understory plants in their native ranges. However, the further you are from the equator the more light they may need. Similarly, in hot desert climates, they’ll appreciate even more shade. Take feedback from your plants themselves to see how happy they are, they will let you know!

Harvest Time!

Ginger will be ready in 8-10 months. Telltale signs that your ginger is ready to harvest will be the yellowing and dying back of the leaves. Turmeric will typically take 10-12 months and will show similar signs when ready. When it’s time to harvest,  carefully dig up the roots with a garden fork or spade. If you leave a portion in the ground or container, it’ll continue growing and give you a harvest next time around!

FINAL THOUGHTS

Ginger and turmeric are powerful medicinal herbs with numerous benefits for both your health, kitchen and garden. Whilst growing these plants will certainly be easier in topical or subtropical environments, gardens in cooler temperate areas can still grow them with a little extra effort and be rewarded with healthy, organic, homegrown food/medicine too!

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How To Garden The Lazy Way: Working With Nature and Not Against Her

Cultivating the earth is sometimes thought of as a laborious and difficult task. But what If I told you there’s a way to garden the easy way, making sure nature takes care of all the hard work for you, leaving you to enjoy the (literal) fruits of your labor?

By aligning your efforts with nature, and not against her, you can save vast amounts of time, effort, and money, not to mention your back!

Read on to discover some of the ways to garden the lazy way!

Key Takeaways

  • Use no-dig methods to save effort and preserve soil health.
  • Mimic natural ecosystems with mulching, native plants, and companion planting.
  • Focus on perennials and efficient watering for a low-maintenance garden.

No Dig Methods

If you’re thinking about starting a vegetable garden, then consider using the no-dig method. No dig method, also known as lasagne gardening, amongst other names, avoids digging the soil, which kills off life by exposing the microbes and all other microorganisms to the sun, thus making the soil less fertile.

Digging often involves ploughing which is incredibly labor-intensive and destructive. No dig methods involve layering cardboard on top of the soil, then a thick layer of compost, topped with mulch such as straw.

You can then plant directly on top of this, without having to break your back! By doing so, you are preserving and enhancing the life that’s already in the soil, thus reducing your reliance on external fertilizers.

Mimic Nature

Natural systems such as forests, produce all their fertility on site, without the need for digging, fertilizing or pest control. Seek to mimic how forests create fertility by utilizing mulch. Forests gain fertility through the decomposition of falling leaves, branches and other organic matter. Seek to emulate this in your garden by covering your garden beds with mulch. 

You can use fallen leaves, garden trimmings, grass, or whatever you have. Soil is alive and always likes to be covered so it can move to systems of greater complexity in a process known as syntropy. You can even grow certain plants solely to feed to the soil, such as cover crops, nitrogen fixers, biological accumulators, or any fast-growing species in your climate that can produce a lot of biomass that you can use to feed the soil. 

You can use these specifically for chop and drop, where plants are cut and ‘dropped’ to feed the soil and the target species in that area. 

Embrace Weeds

Weeds can play an important function in the garden if managed properly. Learn the weeds that grow in your area. Some can help in reducing erosion, in fixing nitrogen (like clovers), in attracting pollinators, or by providing other functions such being medicinal/edible or are biodynamic accumulators (e.g. dandelions).

Knowing the life cycle of the weeds that appear in your garden, you can harness their power to fuel the plants that you want to grow.

Native Plants

Native plants are those that are already adapted to your natural climate and will grow with no external support. You can use these to create microclimates for more delicate plants you may want to grow. You could also use them for biomass for mulching, to make compost, for the benefit of local flora and fauna or simply for something easy to grow in the garden.

Perennials

Perennials are plants that live more than a year. The majority of most commonly enjoyed vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, aubergine (eggplant) etc are annuals, meaning they (usually) live just one year, and die back in the winter. This means that they have to be planted each year if you want to enjoy them time and time again, which involves a certain amount of effort.

By focusing on perennials like fruit trees, perennial vegetables, flowers and other types of plants, you can eliminate the need for planting year after year, reducing your garden workload.

Companion Planting

Companion planting involves planting things together that mutually benefit each other. Common examples include marigolds with your tomatoes to repel pests, and nasturtiums to distract aphids from other crops. Companion planting aims to create mutually beneficial relationships within the ecosystem. This can involve things such as attracting pollinators or predatory insects, repelling pests, providing protection and creating microclimates, amongst others. 

Plants are part of the natural world and the natural world is all about relationships, so planting things together makes perfect sense. Companion planting allows you to harness the power of nature by forming plant guilds, (or consortiums) that serve to help each other out.

Efficient Watering Techniques

Plants with similar water needs should be grouped together for ease of watering. Placing individual plants in separate positions can make watering a headache.

Grouping your plants together can help ease your watering regime, whilst also providing benefits to each other. Consider harvesting rainwater and setting up and self-watering system. Drip irrigation is considered the most efficient method, and is especially useful in areas with low rainfall or periods of drought.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Permaculture teaches the art and science of learning to observe and replicate nature. By working with nature and not against her, we can set our gardens up for a higher chance of success than if we were to work against her.

Some simple methods to lessen your workload and increase your benefits/harvests include utilizing no-dig methods, and mulching, whilst embracing the plant life that’s already in your space and using it to your advantage. Focusing on perennials over annuals, and by efficient watering methods, you can be sure to get the most out of your garden with the least amount of effort!

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How To Save Water In Your Garden: Water Harvesting and Recycling Techniques

Gardening is a powerful and healing thing to do, both for yourself and the planet. All life on this planet is dependent on the presence of water, yet 2.7 billion suffer water shortages for at least one month of the year. Growing a garden requires a certain amount of water, and your success in the garden depends a lot on how you are able to manage this vital resource.

With this valuable and essential resource becoming more and more scarce globally, figuring out ways to incorporate water-saving techniques into your garden practices can be a valuable way to create a more biodiverse atmosphere for you to enjoy. Harvesting and recycling water will not only make your garden more ecologically friendly but can also reduce the amount of work you have to do.

Let’s look at some of the ways you can save, harvest and recycle water in your garden!

Key Takeaways

  • Harvest Water: Collect rainwater using barrels or swales to conserve water and reduce reliance on municipal sources.
  • Use Mulching: Retain soil moisture and boost fertility by covering the soil with organic materials like wood chips or compost.
  • Recycle Greywater: Reuse household water safely to nourish your garden and reduce water waste.

Harvest Water

Water is a vital resource and is free! You can collect rainwater from your roofs or any other surfaces you may have, including the ground, patios, walkways, and solar panels, or you can even create surfaces specifically for the purpose!

Collecting and saving rainwater is especially important in areas prone to drought and water restrictions in the hot dry months. It can also reduce your water bill and can help in times of emergency. 

Collecting rainwater can be as simple as installing a few rain barrels along with some guttering should you need it. You’ll want to add a mesh layer to the rain barrel if it’s open-topped to stop debris and insects. Consider adding a spigot for easy access to your water.

"If you only do one thing, collect rainwater."

— Bill Mollinson, Founder of Permaculture.

Swales

If you have some land and want to regenerate it, building swales is a great way to help water infiltrate into the land. This can help replenish the groundwater where you live, boosting biodiversity and resilience for future generations. 

So what are swales? Swales are channels dug on the contour of the land. This allows rainwater to move slowly through the land and be absorbed.  It can also help reduce the damage done by erosion, where nutrient-rich topsoil is taken away which reduces fertility.

Mulching 

Mulching involves covering the exposed topsoil. This helps the soil retain moisture thus increasing microbial activity and ultimately fertility. The soil is alive, and exposure to the sun’s rays reduces the amount of life in the soil. It is said that one handful of healthy soil can contain more microorganisms than there are people on this planet! 

Mulching can be done in any number of ways, depending on what you have access to. Wood chips are a good option if you can source them; being high in carbon, when they break down they feed the mycelium in the soil, giving you rich fertile soil.

Wood chips aren’t the only option, and mulching is best done with whatever organic material you have access to. Here you can see I’ve mulched this avocado tree with trimmings from the passion vine that was growing up and around it, as well as the jasmine, creeping fig and many other species growing close by.

As I don’t want the passion vine to take over my avocado tree, I regularly prune it and feed it to the soil around my avocado tree (which is both very hungry and thirsty) By mulching with what’s at hand, I keep my work levels down, helping retain moisture whilst simultaneously adding nutrients to the soil. 

You can also mulch with stray, for example, as well as compost. Compost will also help improve the soil's water-retaining capacity. Just be sure to cover the compost with an extra layer of mulch to keep the microorganisms in it alive so it can do its job for you.

The passion vine recently reached the end of its 6-year life cycle, so I’ve pruned it and used it as a mulch elsewhere in the garden too!

Grey Water Recycling

Grey water refers to the water from showers, sinks and other semi-clean household water. With some organic treatment, this water can be used again to feed your garden. After the initial set-up, you can even arrange it so that certain areas of your garden are self-watering. This is especially useful if you have thirsty plants and live in a dry climate. 

Greywater systems can be set up in several ways, but common methods include using different-sized rocks and gravel to filter the water and aquatic plants such as reeds amongst others. The plants feed on the microbes in the water, leaving it clean and ready for another use!

FINAL THOUGHTS

Water is a vital resource that needs to be properly managed to make sure your garden is as ecologically sound and biodiverse as possible. Managing water resources is especially important in hot and dry climates prone to droughts. By collecting rainwater, you can lessen your reliance on city water, adding resilience in the case of summertime water cuts or droughts.

Mulching helps plants retain water, thus lessening your irrigation needs, bills and workload. Grey water can be recycled and reused. If you have land you can consider digging swales to maximise the absorption of rain, whilst reducing erosion and building biodiversity. 

These are only the tip of the iceberg!

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