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Green Movies at Encounters Documentary Film Festival

By on August 19, 2010 in environment

For our Cape Town and Jozi readers – bring the festival to Durban next year! Buried in Earthskin DIR: Helena Kingwill / SA / 2009 / 50min Living at the end of the world, on the tip of Africa, very rarely do we feel threatened by nuclear contamination, yet this well-balanced, thoroughly researched and enlightening [...]

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Chemical Free Farming

By on July 2, 2010 in food, sustainability

Mr Kanjanga is a farmer from Ntcheu District in Phambala, Malawi. In 1975, having seen the deteriorating effect that the application of chemical fertilisers was having on his crops, he decided to return to the composting techniques he had seen used by his father in the 1930s. His crops started to improve so significantly that [...]

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Great new ideas for urban gardening

By on May 31, 2010 in food, sustainability

More than half of humanity now lives in cities, according to the United Nations Population Fund. This rapid and ongoing change presents a raft of new challenges, many of which create opportunities for resourceful entrepreneurs. Here are five concepts that target consumers’ increasing interest in growing their own food in the city: 1. REEL GARDENING [...]

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Winter Garden

By on May 12, 2010 in food, sustainability

I have recently planted my winter permaculture garden. This seems to be a really good time to grow veges in Durban. It is not too hot or humid and everything seems to thrive. I have planted various lettuce and salad greens, beetroot, radish, egg plant, cabbage and, of course, marigolds to keep the pests away.

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empty pot

By on March 29, 2010 in garden

A lovely young man lent me this enormous pot indefinitely and I would like it to make a statement at my front door. All the other plants are succulents. Should I stay with the theme or fill it full of colourful flowers. I would like to do it over Easter, any suggestions? – Helen McNulty [...]

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