The accidental forager
Trejayne’s foraging journey began during the pandemic, when she was feeling the pressure of building a small glass-blowing business in isolation. ‘The stress was getting a bit too much for me, so I needed to go outside,’ she says. ‘I was born in Cornwall where I was surrounded by nature all the time, so I […]
Pockets of joy
Evergreen One of the first choices to make when thinking about what to put in your window box is whether you want something seasonal – bulbs and annuals that you change a couple of times a year – or more permanent. A mix of evergreens with flowers or berries planted in winter will bring warmth […]
Up, up and away!
There’s nothing quite like the spectacle of watching hundreds of hot air balloons rise majestically into the summer skies. After all, according to AA Milne’s Winnie the Pooh: ‘Nobody can be uncheered with a balloon.’ And thanks to a number of balloon festivals organised annually every summer, it’s a sight that everyone is welcome to […]
Cold treats
Strawberry yoghurt pops Makes: 10 30 strawberries 200g natural or Greek yoghurt 2 tbsp runny honey, or more to taste Ice lolly moulds Wash the strawberries and cut off their tops. Slice five of them and halve the rest. Put the halved strawberries into a blender along with the yoghurt and honey. Whizz until smooth. […]
Street party
What is the Big Lunch? How many of us could say we know our neighbours, or those in our local community? People we can share a pot of tea with, lend items or just say hello to in the street? Knowing and supporting those around us can offer a lifeline in times of need. Our […]
Wild colour: making natural dyes from plants
Have you always been creative, Rebecca? My love of crafting began in my childhood and I was forever sewing and making cards. As a teenager, I sold handmade cards in local craft shops. In my 20s, I would buy secondhand men’s shirts and transform them into dresses and skirts. This was in the early days […]
Perfect plant-based picnic recipes
The best picnic fare travels well, is quick to assemble, easy to eat by hand and can be happily made ahead. Here are three of our favourite plant-based picnic recipes. Baked pumpkin and quinoa salad Makes: 2–4 servings 2 pumpkin wedges 1 tsp olive oil 170g tricoloured quinoa 120g mixed lettuce leaves Goat’s cheese A […]
Want to learn how to live sustainably for free? Become a Wwoofer
Working Weekends on Organic Farms (now called World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, or Wwoof) was founded by Sue Coppard more than 50 years ago, when her experience volunteering on a biodynamic farm in Forest Row inspired her to give up her desk job. The organisation she began has since grown to 500-plus hosts in […]
How to build a glassware collection
Trinkets, treasures, decorative objects – the best collections begin by accident rather than design, and they start with love, whether that’s an attraction to the way something looks or a personal connection that serves as a reminder of a happy or comforting time – books you read growing up, toys you played with or a […]
Coastal foraging in the UK
Foraging often conjures up images of woodlands and fields, but the UK coastline boasts a plethora of delicious wild foods. From seafood to seaweed and coastal plants to flowers, many species thrive on the waterside. Before the rise of agriculture, our ancestors collected many ingredients near the sea – everywhere from sand dunes, salt marshes […]