A controversial future, from a controversial past

This thread on HomeOne kinda went a bit off track compared to what I intended, but it makes great reading and you might just learn something ;)

What are weeds?

This one is the second of my HomeOne posts I wanted to share with you :)

According to my grandad, a weed is simply something that grows where you don't want it to. So, the most beautiful rose could be a weed, if it's growing in your brussel sprouts!

Lawns

This is the first of some informational posts I made on the HomeOne Landscape & Garden Design forum at the start of last year and have been given that date (just to confuse you!!).  They've been amended a bit, as my views on some things have changed a little since then, but in general they're the same.  You can check out the forum here.

Without wanting to be too controversial, there seems to be a lot of posts on how to grow a new lawn, revive an old one, what's the best grass, how to kill the weeds in it without the grass etc etc. So many people want a perfect area of flat, healthy green looking, grass with nothing growing in it. Especially it would seem, the dreaded 'clover'.

Will YOU be a Hummingbird?

Clip from Dirt: The Movie that I wanted to share :)

Worth a Read

Permaculture

There's a great free booklet available from permacultureprinciples.com, which is great for those who are curious as to what permaculture is all about.

Transition Towns

For the last 5 or 6 years, a grassroots network which started in Kinsale, Ireland and Totness, England, has been quickly spreading around the world.

The aim of Transition Towns is to use Permaculture and systems based methods, to effectively create sustainable communities which will carry the planet beyond the advent of peak oil.  Or, as Richard Heinberg would say, Peak Everything!

There are two key areas for which the local groups work to create and / or encourage the use of sustainable alternatives: food and energy production.

As gardeners, horticulturalists, agriculturalists... or just those who are concerned with what the future holds and want to ensure that it will be a positive one, I would urge you all to get involved.

Check here for details of your local group.

Can't see one?

Start one! :)

For further info visit the transitionnetwork.org website or, take a look at The Transition 1.0 movie:

Dirt: The Movie

I am really pleased to have found that William Bryant Logan's book, Dirt: The Ecstatic Skin of the Earth has been turned into a movie!

In the book, Logan mixed science and anecdotal evidence, with religious and spiritual beliefs.  For some, it made what could have been an enjoyable book a little difficult to stomach.

Dirt: The Movie however gets the balance far better.

With scientific fact, anecdotal evidence, interviews with people who work closely with the dirt and rely on it for their food...  Dirt: The Movie is interesting, and emotional, viewing.

I dare you to watch this movie and not come out with a mix of anger, enthusiasm and determination.

Here is a trailer for the movie, with other clips and info being added to YouTube as available.

You can also visit the website and purchase a copy of the video for your home, school or community.  The site will be adding packs of information and further resources in the future.

Now: Go and get dirty! :)