Reading Time: 3 minutesThis essay reflects Sophia’s journey from gardening with ornamental plants to adopting a native plant-focused approach. Initially, Sophia believed her choice of ornamental plants was beneficial to local wildlife, but their perspective shifted after encountering the work of entomologist, Dr. Doug Tallamy.
Reading Time: < 1 minuteIn this post we share our enthusiasm for “Slow Down: 50 Mindful Moments in Nature”.
Author Rachel Williams invites readers to embrace the beauty and tranquility of the natural world. Each page presents a new moment for readers to pause, reflect, and appreciate the wonders of nature. Freya Hartas’ stunning visuals bring readers from vast mountains to delicate flowers, from cascading waterfalls to intricate animal patterns.
Slow Down serves as a reminder to savor the present moment. It encourages readers to engage all senses, to find solace in the gentle rhythm of nature, and to cultivate a deeper connection to the world around us. With its simple yet profound messages, “Slow Down: 50 Mindful Moments in Nature” is a source of inspiration and a gentle guide to finding inner peace through nature’s embrace.
Reading Time: 3 minutes“The Seed Underground: A Growing Revolution to Save Food” delves into the world of heirloom seeds and the critical role they play in ensuring food security and biodiversity.
Author Janisse Ray brings readers along a thought-provoking journey through her personal experiences with seed saving and introduces us to a network of passionate gardeners, farmers, and activists who dedicate themselves to preserving rare and endangered crop varieties. She sheds light on the challenges faced by industrial agriculture and emphasizes the need for grassroots efforts to protect our food heritage.
A winner of the American Horticultural Society Book award and is a prestigious Nautilus Book Awards, The Seed Underground is a compelling call to action for everyone, urging us to reconnect with our food sources and support the movement towards seed sovereignty.
Reading Time: 2 minutesAdam Alexander is a Welsh gardener and award-winning film & television producer who brings us along his journey to collect and preserve rare and endangered heritage and heirloom vegetables.
Alexander’s passion is in engendering a feeling of connectedness to the land. He achieves this by reintroducing people to their own food culture & heritage and provides encouragement to eat more locally-produced food.
The Seed Detective is a story of “globalization, political intrigue, colonization and serendipity – describing how these vegetables and their travels have become embedded in our food cultures.”
Reading Time: 3 minutesIn this post we share photos from Zilker Botanical Garden, Austin, Texas, United States of America.
Zilker Botanical Garden is a delightful space across 26 acres in the heart of Austin. The garden is a paradise for nature enthusiasts. Three areas of the garden are particularly interesting: the Heritage Live Oaks, The Hartman Prehistoric Garden (featuring a variety of vegetation that existed during the time when dinosaurs roamed), and the Isamu Taniguchi Japanese Garden (which offers winding pathways and a place of tranquility).
Reading Time: 4 minutesIn this post we share photos from Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is a marvel that combines natural beauty with adventure. At the heart of the park is the famous Capilano Suspension Bridge, an engineering masterpiece that stretches 137 meters across the roaring Capilano River and surrounded by towering Douglas fir trees.
The park offers a number of other attractions including the Treetops Adventure, an intricate network of suspended walkways that leads you through the forest canopy with a bird’s eye view of the stunning coastal rainforest below. For those seeking more adventure, the Cliffwalk hangs on the edge of a granite cliff face, and offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Capilano River Canyon. Visitors can also learn about rich indigenous culture and history of the region.
From the moment you step foot in Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, you’ll be immersed in the perfect blend of natural beauty and exhilarating attractions. Whether you’re a nature lover, an adventure seeker, or simply looking for a unique experience, a visit to this iconic park is worth the short drive from downtown Vancouver.
Reading Time: 4 minutesIn this post we share photos from VanDusen Botanical Gardens, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
VanDusen Botanical Garden is a stunning oasis nestled in the heart of Vancouver, British Columbia. Sprawling across 55 acres, this world-class garden invites visitors to immerse themselves in nature.
With 7,500 unique plant and flower species and varieties, visitors flock to VanDusen Gardens to admire the diverse range of plants and flowers on display. From vibrant rhododendrons and exotic ferns to delicate cherry blossoms and aromatic roses, the garden is a feast for the senses throughout the year. Different themed gardens such as the Asian Garden, Mediterranean Garden, and Sino-Himalayan Garden showcase plants from specific regions, providing a unique and immersive experience.
If you find yourself in Vancouver, don’t miss the opportunity to visit VanDusen Gardens and indulge in the natural beauty that awaits you.
Reading Time: 4 minutesIn this post we share photos from Ueno Park & Ameyoko Shopping District, Ueno, Tokyo, Japan.
Reading Time: 3 minutesIn this post we share photos from Filoli Historic House & Gardens, Woodside, California, USA.
Filoli Historic House & Gardens was built in 1917 as a private residence and was later turned over to National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1975 for the public to enjoy.
This stunning country estate sits on 654 acres in California’s northern coastal range. Visitors can spend an afternoon meandering through a 54,000 square foot Georgian revival-style mansion, 16 acres of exquisite English Renaissance gardens, a 6.8-acre Gentleman’s Orchard, and hundreds of acres of Natural Lands with 5 distinct ecosystems and a 1-mile Estate Trail (Filoli, 2023).
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