Starting a conversation about my attempts to grow prickly pear go something like this: “I cut off one of the pads as a cutting,” says I. “To grow?” they ask, brows furrowed. “Yes…” Here it comes, but they mean well. “You mean prickly pear, that cactus weed? You want to… grow it!?” Shock, Horror, et […]
There was this little plum tree in the front yard that was no more than a stick in the ground – now 4 seasons later it provides a delicious plum that ripens just a few days before the birds realise! But not the only fruit at this type of year – the cherries were excellent … Continue reading
There is something of a tradition at my place now with freshly picked figs being scoffed in the backyard from the middle of summer. By mid January the fruit darkens a purple stain through the green skin. And there is the matter is getting to them before the birds, which according to my chickens (who … Continue reading
So you need food to eat in your forest garden, and you are growing all the regulars – apple, pear, citrus, fig, and so on. Then your shrub level (using Patrick Whitefield’s 3 level arrangements as per his How to Make a Forest Garden), is hard at work. All those empty spaces are getting filled with … Continue reading
Ground to Ground 