I wanted to share some amazing new things I’ve learned about water, hydration and fascia. We know that water can be a liquid, or a vapour or solid as ice. Did you know though, there is a fourth phase of water that has largely been over-looked? This fourth phase is a gel, an electric plasma […] Read more

 With spring in the air nature is waking up.  I love seeing dormant plants emerging with fresh new growth.  My patch of stinging nettle is in a large square pot so it can’t spread. If it is not respected and brushed lightly it will cause itchy, irritated skin.  ‘Urtica’ comes from latin meaning to burn. […] Read more

Spring heralds the start of a new growing season, a fresh start with plants waking up and producing colourful flowers or soft new leaves that renew our sense of wonder.  Inspired to offer something a little different and fresh I’m going to share some poetry. I’m noticing that there is an upsurge in people wanting […] Read more

Have you come across yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) yet? It is a juicy, crunchy, sweet tasting underground tuber, also known as Sunroot, Yacón Strawberry, Apple of the Earth, Arocona, Jacon, Jiquima, Sweet Fruit Root, Underground pear or Peruvian Ground apple.  It originates from the South American countries of Colombia, Bolivia and Ecuador. It has been grown […] Read more

This month I’m offering a book review of an amazing book called “The new wild”. I delved into it and found it a mind stretch because of Fred Pearce’s concepts of how nature works to always find balance. My flatmate Linda became interested to read the book and she was equally enthralled. I asked her […] Read more

I recently discovered a valuable plant in the garden I didn’t know I had. It’s Queensland arrowroot Canna edulis but it actually comes from South American and in Peru it is known as Achira where it was domesticated 5000 years ago.   I acquired the plant at a crop swap some years ago and we […] Read more

Choko Sechium edule. Is this highly underrated prolific producer of fruit on rampant vines a weed, a fruit or a vegetable?  Choko vines grow rapidly, scrambling and covering their support. I watched with curiosity as long searching tendrils appeared over the fence from the neighbour. Now the top of the fence is completely covered, the […] Read more

Oxtongue, or bristly oxtongue Helminthotheca echioides (formerly Picris echioides) commands respect. I got to know several of these plants when I lived at the farm on Belk Road South that popped up in my potted plant area.  When I really studied their form I found them very beautiful. I really love Oxtongue hence all the […] Read more

Have you tried adding edible flowers to your dishes since my last article? This month I’ll introduce a few more edible flowers. It’s exciting to learn that flowers we love to grow in our gardens turn out to be delicacies in our food and drinks as well as visually pleasing.  And it turns out our […] Read more

Chlorophyll is something we take for granted but it’s abundant all around us giving plants their green colour. It is an essential component of photosynthesis allowing plants to absorb energy from light. Then when we eat green leaves we get the benefit of that energy and vitality and it’s the closest, freshest way to eat […] Read more