Over the past few months we were creating more awareness about the great eco-friendly cleaners one can use in the home. We told the story of our friend who uses his grey water from his washing to water his lawn and garden plants. And why he uses the Better Earth laundry gel for his laundry. I wonder whether people realise just how toxic some of the normal chemical laundry … [Read more...]
Food Gardening Part 4: The art of companion planting
Companion planting is the art of combining different plant species in a group so all the plants in the group benefit from each other. A group of mutually beneficial companion plants are known as a guild. Companion planting brings a range of benefits to a food garden. It can improve soil fertility, attract beneficial creatures to the garden, help repel pests and diseases, … [Read more...]
Insects – an organic food gardener’s best friend
The idea that insects are a good thing for a food garden might seem contradictory. After all, most food gardeners have battled against caterpillars chomping leaves into lace, aphids sucking the life out of plants, or cutworms decapitating newly planted seedlings. But there is a whole host of beneficial insects out there and encouraging these into your garden is vital if you … [Read more...]
How to multitask with natural cleaners
We enjoy lots of feedback about our products and more often than not it is complimentary, which is pleasing and rewarding. Every now and again our customers tell us about other uses for our products which we hadn’t thought of. Sometimes the ‘other’ uses are quite unique to the customer needs and sometimes also quite surprising. Below are some of the more interesting ‘other’ … [Read more...]
The search for a toddler-friendly floor cleaner
Potty training… when will it end? Our toddler is two and half and we have a new baby on the way. Clearly we are not fans of sleep. We tried to time it so that we only have to change one set of nappies, but it seems that was more wishful thinking than anything based in reality. Which is worse - nappies or messes? I was really looking forward to our toddler being out of … [Read more...]
Award-winning soil documentary to have gala screening at Labia
An exclusive gala screening of award-winning documentary Symphony of the Soil is being hosted by the Labia Theatre, Cape Town at 6.30 pm on Sunday 14 August to raise funds for Soil for Life. Join dedicated eco-warrior and MC Nik Rabinowitz for an entertaining ‘green’ evening and help change the world one garden at a time. US based film-maker Deborah Koons Garcia has … [Read more...]
Food Gardening part 3: Planning a food garden
The key to having a successful food garden lies in being realistic about what you hope to achieve, given the resources you have available. These are some things to think about that will help ensure success. All food gardens require regular attention in the form of weeding, watering and other small tasks that ensure the crops grow well. The amount of attention a food … [Read more...]
Sustainable Food Gardening Part 2: Composting for food gardens
To grow healthy food we must create soil conditions that enable plants to get the best possible nutrition in their growing cycle. Compost is one of the most important tools organic food gardeners can use to improve soil fertility and plant nutrition. Good compost reduces weeds, improves soil humus levels, structure and fertility, improves soil drainage, helps retain soil … [Read more...]
Friendlier sprays appropriate for a natural getaway
My friend Paul one day found himself in a tricky situation. He was at home getting ready for his date to arrive. They had planned to meet each other downstairs and they would then take one car to the restaurant. He had just exited the bathroom when she unexpectedly knocked on his door. She had left work a bit early and was ready to go, but desperately needed the loo before they … [Read more...]
Keep your house clean the natural way
We have a two year old who loves to draw. She draws every day and can spend ages on one of her masterpieces. She draws circles, hearts, triangles, dogs, cats and people. Of course all of these look like spirals and scribbled lines to me but who am I to judge. I once went to a modern art gallery in Madrid and saw a 2metre x 2metre grey painting on sale for €9,000. It was just … [Read more...]
Why your life depends on healthy soil
In the first of a series of articles on growing your own food, Valerie Payn starts at the root of the matter – how human health depends on fertile soil. “Healthy societies depend on healthy soil, healthy soil depends on healthy biology, and healthy biology depends on what goes into the soil,” said Sir Albert Howard, one of the 18C founders of the organic movement who became … [Read more...]
Keeping your greywater clean and useful
My wife and I were chatting recently about using more greywater in the garden. She told me about a conversation she overheard, where a woman was asking what ‘greywater’ actually was and it got me thinking. Firstly, how often does my wife eaves drop on other people’s conversations… and secondly; perhaps a vast majority of people are not only unaware of the benefits of using … [Read more...]
Rekindling our sacred connection with the soil
We are at the cusp of empires falling and worlds colliding. While this may be a bold statement. In the seeming chaos of collapsing economies, unprecedented and endless wars, unpredictable weather patterns and huge animal die-offs, our most appropriate response appears to be some sort of foundational re-structuring. We find ourselves at the foundations of a new reality, a New … [Read more...]
