When are we going to stop sending our food waste to landfills, where it emits dangerous methane gas contributing to climate change? One local entrepreneur is doing just that and enabling the return to the eons-old circular systems by which nature has always recycled organic matter, hereby challenging our wasteful linear ways of thinking about and treating our planet's … [Read more...]
Soil: the law of return
The thin mantle of Soil that covers our Earth is what feeds and nurtures us. We are innately and inextricably connected to soil for our survival, for like humans it contains the universal life-force without which we would not survive. Only a fertile soil contains the billions of amazing and diverse creatures and microbes, from earthworms to fungi, which provide the energy … [Read more...]
Hang up your heels for gumboots
The Miss Earth South Africa Women Empowerment and Leadership Programme once again promises to be one jam-packed with environmental milestones, sustainable achievements and green dreams as the organisation embarks on their annual search for South Africa’s next green beauty. Young women between the ages of 18 and 26 are invited to submit their applications for the 2014 … [Read more...]
Time to shed the waste dinosaur
National Recycling Day is this weekend on 14 September. What are you doing with your “waste?” Do you still have such a word in your vocabulary? At the Green Times we regard it as a dinosaur – it’s time is up. Nothing can be wasted as there are limited resources on this planet. So we can speak about resources, or materials instead. Everything should remain in a cyclical system, … [Read more...]
Foxglove organic stories Part 7: Clearing the wattle
In the midst of a dry winter, Sue and her family take it upon themselves to rid Foxglove Farm of their resident alien trees and make compost for the months ahead. Since winter has been neither very cold nor wet, we have continued to clean up, remove aliens and make compost. At the moment we are up to our elbows in wattles. Most people see wattles as only a problem but we see … [Read more...]
Foxglove organic stories Part 6: Up to our elbows
After sending home the last of their volunteers for the winter, Sue gives us the lowdown on what lies ahead for Foxglove Farm, as they brace for a period of maintenance and marvel at some impressive potatoes. We have had the last of our volunteers for the year as it is getting too difficult to keep them warm. Not that it has been so cold but we have had our days- even a bit … [Read more...]
Greenwashing: how do we use this concept for good?
The concept of greenwashing is one that I have long refrained from discussing, preferring rather to encourage the developing green market and not to fuel fires of mistrust. Not because it’s not important, on the contrary. South Africans need to understand what constitutes a responsible consumer and how they can contribute towards a better world. But it is also a term that may … [Read more...]
Grow your own food step 4: Veggie planting and managing pests
Our next garden lesson involves the planning and planting of your seedlings, in your veggie beds. Just to revise… some plants that are not suitable to transplant are: carrots, radish, beetroot, peas, beans, corn, pumpkin, melons & butternut. These are generally to be planted straight into the veggie beds. Veggies suitable to be transplanted from a seed box or tray are … [Read more...]
Green coffee goes the extra mile
The latest diet fad to hit the country is the green coffee bean! Klaus Becker, Managing Director of Caturra is taking “green” coffee to an all time high here in South Africa. In the long run this will be worth its weight in gold for the planet. Caturra has recently rolled out its compostable packaging for its complete range of espresso, filter and organic coffees. The new … [Read more...]
No recycling depots in Parys
My wife and I relocated to Parys, Free State from Johannesburg just over a year ago. We were attracted by its quirky atmosphere with an eclectic mix of art galleries, antique shops and top-class restaurants on the one hand and the “vetkoek dens” and “tuisnyverheid” emporiums on the other. The folk are very friendly and you would expect nothing less from a community that boasts … [Read more...]
Realizing the full potential of your Garden
It’s not so long ago that our gardens were productive as well as aesthetically pleasing, containing a veggie garden, a small orchard, and herbs and medicines too. How wonderful, but perhaps too much hard work? Or so thought some, as gardens moved away in disdain from anything productive or working class, to the opposite extreme of being purely decorative. Some modern gardens … [Read more...]
Grow your own food step 1: compost making
Essential in growing your own food is to keep it green all the way. So we will always be utilising waste items for all the processes which we teach. You don’t need to rush out and purchase special equipment. Use what you have or scout the junk yard or any place where you see waste piled up – you will find useful items to help you in your food growing endeavours. What do I need … [Read more...]
Green guerrillas inspire Fish Hoek’s earth buddies
Akim Riemer wears doc martins, a ragged vest, a green bandana and dark glasses. There is a raw energy here that wants to spread like wildfire. I don’t need to see his eyes to know that they flash with insight and delight with his every new idea. Riemer believes that the core element to sustain a new earthy project at Fish Hoek Primary school is RAW ENERGY. It will come from … [Read more...]
