Orchards have always served communities as an integrated resource of produce. Mycorrhizal fungi networks increase a tree’s capacity to defend against harmful diseases and companion planting increases the likelihood of this unification. As we know from Forest Gardening, we are able to design layers of the forest – from shrubbery to tree tops – […]
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Orchards Against Climate Change: Nature-based solutions
Nature-based solutions (NbS) can play an important role in tackling the climate crisis. It is currently something of a buzzword among environmentalists in fact. In this blog, we unpack how and why NbS help mitigate the impacts of our changing weather patterns, and call for urban community-run orchards to be embraced as an exemplary NbS. What is a nature-based solution? Nature-based solutions (NbS) are actions that work with nature to address societal challenges (such as climate change). It is important that they provide benefits […]
Locking-down is Slowing-down: A new, national appreciation for nature’s rhythms?
“The rhythm we adopt when tending to plants is the perfect antidote to the instant gratification and high-speed consumerism rife within our pre-pandemic society.” – Jo Hooper and Nicole Thomas reflect on the recent surge in gardening and what this might mean for our wellbeing. We’ve living in a ‘Crop-Growing Revolution’, according to The Guardian. […]
The Landscape of Loneliness: Making Space for Nature
We may not give it our full attention, but the built environment around us shapes our mood, our thoughts, our health and our relationships. It’s not just the dimensions of our houses, flats and rooms, but the life between buildings – the public spaces. Green spaces especially are known to improve the quality of city […]