Hazel is a multi-purpose champion of a plant that is super easy to grow, produces delicious nuts, pliable wood that can be crafted into a variety of products, provides early fodder for bees and an encouraging spectacle when flowering during the mid winter.

New to permaculture? Not sure where to start? Here are five must-reads: * Permaculture magazine Every issue is packed with inspiring stories and how-to articles. All subscriptions come with FREE digital access to every single past issue PLUS a subscriber-only, reusable 25% discount code for all our permaculture books.

Chris Hope explains the medicinal benefits of the thistle, an abundant 'weed' with many uses.

Permaculture is an innovative framework for creating sustainable ways of living. It is a practical method of developing ecologically harmonious, efficient and productive systems that can be used by anyone, anywhere.

Originally from Asia Minor, the fig is probably the oldest cultivated fruit in the world. There is evidence to suggest that some 10,000 years ago some of us were planting figs directly outside our caves presumably to be able to slip out for a figgy delight without worrying too much about getting torn to shreds by a sabre tooth tiger.

Hugelkultur, pronounced hoo-gul-culture, means hill culture or hill mound. Instead of putting branches, leaves and grass clippings in bags by the curbside for the bin men… build a hugel bed.

Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) is a small European tree with early sprays of fragrant flowers followed by red berries, significant for wildlife and all parts can help to relieve anxiety and benefit the circulation.Alternate names: English hawthorn, whitethorn, haw, oneseed hawthorn. Parts used: Flowers, leaves and fruits (berries) are all used. A …

The raspberry, with its botanical name Rubus idaeus, belongs to the rose family, which includes around 3,500 species.The raspberry is a hardy, deciduous climbing shrub that come in a variety of colors, including red, purple, yellow or gold and black.

Transformative Adaptation (TrAd) helps us to transform our civilisation to be in readiness for the future and makes life worth living. Impacts beyond 1.5 o C, the agreed maximum limit-target for global overheating, are already here.. In this context, adaptation, preparedness and resilience-building are no longer optional.

Paul Alfrey from the Balkan Ecology Project gives the history of comfrey along with its multiple uses (as medicinal, biomass, mulch) and how he has created a comfrey patch to increase fertility in their market garden.