Category Archives: Hands on

Gathering in ideas and materials from throughout the year, this final episode on practical skills encourages a stock-take of existing materials and projects, to see what you have in your stores and what you have enjoyed doing. It then suggests a few more ideas for crafts and outdoor work such as bare root tree plantingContinue reading “Practical 8”

When harvest is in full swing, the practical skills are linked to its abundance. In this episode, I start with simple seed savings and preserving methods, and then share some of the creative crafts associated with autumn that I did with my children.

One of the things that I appreciate about traditional crafts is the thriftyness of finding a use for every part of materials from nature. In this episode, I talk about the strawy parts of plants left over when seeds and bulbs are harvested. Lughnasa crafts often involved the use of these. I also share someContinue reading “Practical 6”

In the garden, this is considered the time of “hungry gap,” but wild perennials and tired brassica leaves can be turned into delicious pestos. In this episode, I also touch on homemade cosmetics to feed the skin like any other organ. I then delve into a fascinating world of taking care of our own shit,Continue reading “Practical Skills 4”

In keeping with the release date of Spring equinox, this episode gets into more detail about seed sowing and how to build herb spirals or herb walls close to your kitchen.

To support your hands on learning have a look through these resources. Mick Kelly of Grow it Yourself talks about making compost in this blog but also features it in the GIY TV show. However, be aware there are many different opinions about making good compost. So also have a look at no dig masterContinue reading “Practical skills in the Spring: compost and seeds”

How can I do it? What might I want to learn to begin again? This thread is about hands on know-how. When I was not good academically and clumsy in movement, I began to learn from a young age how to do things. I had my first garden as a tiny child and helped myContinue reading “Practical Skills”