A herb spiral is a garden design element which allows us to grow a variety of medicinal and kitchen herbs in an economical and varied space. They are quite straight forward to build but a good herb spiral with a variety of species which keeps giving out every year takes a bit of forethought. Let’s
Humanure, a conflation between the words “human” and “manure”, is arguably the Holy Grail of off- grid living, and is right up there with recycling of grey (used) water in any homesteading project. You may grow all the luscious vegetables you want in a remote ornamental smallholding, but unless you recycle the main waste products
In the UK, we are coming to the end of another year’s growing season and whilst tidying away the aftermath, also planning ahead for the next year’s cycle. Probably the single most important intervention you can make in the garden is instituting an efficient compost system early on. When I moved in to my house,
In the UK, we are all appreciating the beautiful Autumn colours of our trees. From rich reds to rusty browns and burnished golds, we cannot help but feel serene, peaceful and tranquil in a grove of trees. Trees provide us with so many other benefits that perhaps we take for granted. These include the following:
Most of us enjoy looking at well-tended gardens, but while some people may think gardening is a back-breaking chore, others enjoy its benefits. These are many. The most obvious benefit of gardening is that it can be a great way to relieve stress. With so much going on in our lives, many people forget to
Hedgerows are seen as one of the defining features of the English landscape and are important habitats for wildlife, such as birds, small mammals and invertebrates. They are often the oldest remaining feature in the countryside, providing important evidence of its historical development. In ecological terms, the most biodiverse part of a habitat is often
Hedgelaying Once, in the days before wire, plastic and electronic fencing, nearly all farms used to practice hedge laying in order to keep the fields stock proof. Hedge laying involves partially cutting through the stems of hedge trees and shrubs, then laying them over at an angle, and weaving them together to produce a stock
By Andy Patterson, Tutor at ADL – Academy for Distance Learning If you have tried growing your own fruit and vegetables, you will have noticed that it is unavoidable that a glut of produce arrives in the autumn time. In the days before electricity and powered transport, and facing the bleak winter, remote farming communities
In plant life, as in human, there are some diseases which are difficult to eradicate, hence the adage “prevention is better than cure” comes to the fore. Plant infections – “pathogens” – come in viral, bacterial or fungal form, but many can be prevented by following some basic sanitary procedures. These procedures, one suspects, might
Currently there is a severe shortage of skills in horticulture:- this is good news for those looking to begin their career in the industry. This means that anyone with the right qualifications, abilities and attitude can expect an encouraging welcome from employers. A large number of sectors divide the horticulture industry, each requiring its own
Education opens doors to success windows of opportunity and in at least one case, gates to new possibilities. Such is the case with ADL success story Annabella Baker. Originally from Italy, but now living in the UK, Annabella faced a tragedy all too familiar to many when she lost her airline job during the Covid
Gardens are hard work. Behind every immaculate lawn and carefully tended flowerbed is a never-ending struggle between nature and gardener. Of course simply leaving the garden to its own devices isn’t really an option; Untended, plants will grow freely for the whole of spring and summer and even into autumn. Worse yet, an uncared for
Some stories of educational achievement soar into the heavens. Of individuals who through hard work and toil overcame the challenges in their life to achieve. Certainly, at ADL we’ve seen and helped many individuals achieve their dreams through completing a course which helped them get a place at university or begin a new career. This,
If you’ve been in the UK over the past weekend you might have noticed you had a day off on Monday (or looked on enviously as other people had a day off). The coronation of a new monarch in Charles the Third means a new era. One that the Monarch is especially keen does not
If you’re looking for a side business or career that combines a love for fitness and a mentoring role. personal training might be for you Personal training is at it’s heart all about being able to help people live healthier, happier lives. By combining physical exercise with essential lifestyle changes like diet they help their
Developed by Think Big Web Ltd.
