Have you ever fancied making a pizza or baking bread in your garden? A cob oven is a simple to build, highly efficient oven which you can build in your garden from material you probably already have in your yard. And it makes the best pizza and bread you’ve ever … Read more
Archimedes of Syracuse was an ancient Greek mathematician, physicist, engineer, invetor, and astronomer. He is typically regarded as one of the leading scientists in classical antiquity. He is most known for his explanation of the principle of the lever and for the first theoretical calculation of the value of pi … Read more
Sustainable building is a growing movement. Its goals are to design and construct buildings that are resource-efficient throughout the lifespan of the building, from planning to construction and, eventually, to demolition. Green buildings must also account for utility, comfort and other normal aspects of building design. Sustainable building may also … Read more
Container gardening is great if you do not have any land to plant a garden or you just wish to add some texture and beauty to an area. An easy, healthy, and sustainable set of plants to grow in containers are herbs. They come in all shapes, sizes, and variety … Read more
If you have a backyard covered in grass, it may look a little boring. While large, grassy yards were once a sign of opulence and wealth, they’ve become something of a suburban paradigm. While large, grassy areas are fun to run around in, or entertain on, adding some biodiversity and … Read more
Fireplaces have been used to heat homes and dwellings for thousands of years. As our understanding of technology expands, so do the ways which we use existing resources to help keep our environment clean and sustainable. More recently, the wood burning fireplace has expanding into using clean burning ethanol fuel. … Read more
Clay, or “earthen” ovens are simple in design. Using wood to fire them and the insulating properties of bricks and clay to absorb and then radiate heat, you can cook anything in an earthen oven that you could cook in a conventional oven. One easy and common thing to cook … Read more
A cabin’s a fine domicile. No fantasy of a simple backwoods existence is complete without one, billowing woodsmoke in a gently falling snow. Abraham lived in one that he built. Look how he turned out. Henry David Thoreau built one and lived the ultimate self-sufficient story for his time. If … Read more
With environmental education and awareness came the need for more eco-friendly and sustainable building methods. It called for people to think out of the box and come up with what we are able to implement today. Alternative building methods have become more popular due to their often lower cost, novelty, … Read more
Good fences don’t just make good neighbours (if you believe that, anyway). In gardening, fences can find many uses. As a barrier, sure, but also as a means to increase growing area or trellis plants. They can also effectively mark a growing boundary, clearly demarcating the area where you want … Read more
An ingenious innovation by the Japanese, rain chains are a wonderful alternative to a rain gutter downspout. The Japanese have used rain chains for hundreds of years. Traditionally known as “Kusari Doi”, they were used to guide rainwater into large pots (ancient rain barrels) for household and garden purposes. Today, … Read more
“In a hole in a ground lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing to sit on or eat: It was a hobbit hole and that means comfort.” The famous … Read more
Tree houses are an unusual undertaking. Generally those who embark on building a home in the trees cite the closeness to nature and the minimal impacts on the ground surface as evidence of an eco friendly and sustainable lifestyle. However, the sheer human cost of lifting all building materials up … Read more
Compost tumblers are awesome. They create a compact, easy-to-turn space for your discarded food scraps and yard waste that will produce rich compost. Commercial systems can range anywhere under $1,000, which is outrageous. Smaller home versions can be found used at a discount or even free (check out Craigslist). This … Read more
English gardens are truly a work of art with a long history. The prize of royalty and estate holders, their manicured garden estates had styles with elaborate walls and sculptures, even mazes. Today, English gardens grow on a smaller scale as backyard gardens full of vivid flowers and lush greens. … Read more