Useful Links and Information
Videos
- Ernst Gotsch, founder of Syntropic Agriculture shares this beautiful 15 minute video Life in Syntropy with us about his extensive work throughout South America and the world. His farming techniques mimic nature and restore ecosystems like you’ve never seen before. His Youtube channel also has lots of other informative videos including this brief introduction to his work, called Blueprint.
- If you would like to find out more about a Agroforestry, I found these videos by the Agroforestry Academy on Youtube really useful and easy to understand. Although they are based in Brazil, the principles can be applied to any zone, including our colder UK climate. These guys are legends!
- Charles Dowding started the ‘No Dig’ culture and he has gardened in the UK for decades. He has some great tips on how to maintain a thriving vegetable garden year round, with a big focus on soil health. Check out his Youtube Channel.
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Dr Elaine Ingham is a well known American microbiologist and has dedicated her life to soil health. Her Youtube channel has some fascinating information about the soil web and how reaching balance in our soils can naturally supress weed growth, stop pests and increase yield of crops. Watch this short video about the soil web here.
Books
- Chelsea Green Publishing is fantastic independent publisher of gardening, health and wellbeing, homesteading books and more. I’ve read a handful such as Perennial Vegetables by Eric Toensmeier, Gaia’s Garden by Toby Hemenway and Seed to Seed by Suzanne Ashworth but the options are plentiful and diverse.
- Masanobu Fukuoka’s One Straw Revolution was the first gardening book I read and is the life story of one man’s philosophy and natural farming techniques. It’s a must read.
Articles and online learning portals
- For a more local view on Agroforestry check out the Centre for Alternative Energy’s blog on The Edible Forest Garden here.
- If you love permaculture, I’ve just recently come accross this useful website Eco Design Hive. It’s based in America and set up by permaculturist Heather Jo Flores. There are some brilliant resources including free/ donation based permaculture design courses.
- For an amazing catalogue of information on all things horticulture visit The RHS website. I especially love the My Garden feature which allows you to add the plants in your own garden - giving you a detailed plan of what and when to take action.
Tools
- For amazing quality tools I love Niwaki. My favourite tool is the weeding hoe or the herbaceous sickle. Visit the Niwaki website here.
Seeds
- I can’t wait to get my seed order in from heritage seed grower Real Seeds in Wales. There are a number of heritage seed suppliers in the UK and I have read good reviews from this one. It’s not local but once established you can start saving your own seeds that will thrive in your area. I particularly like that they offer a low-wage/unwaged pack of seeds (10 or so varieties of veggies and flowers) for a reduced cost. I will be purchasing one this month (jan/feb).
Films
- The Biggest Little Farm is a real feel good film for the future and I can’t recommend it more if you need some good times in your life. Watch the trailer here.
- Kiss the Ground is a few years old now but very relevant to our current global situation. If you like a good documentary with a wholesome feel, this one is really worth a watch.