We did an experiment with felting a back to a recently shaved fleece. The wool came from a Ouessant sheep. Below is a photo series on how we created a sheepskin without having to kill a sheep.

The fleece we started with; fully detached from the sheep.

We mostly followed …

Let's start with a question I get every time I say that I collect nettle seeds: "Why?" Well, for sowing, of course! ;-) ... and other uses. So, why would you want to collect nettle seeds? Here are a few reasons (Source):

• nettles are a source of minerals: they contain iron, calcium …

Recently I got asked about about creating a garden with the specific aim of keeping starvation at bay. I came to the conclusion you need crops that contain at least sufficient calories to keep you going. So starchy, sugary, oily or protein rich.

Check out the table on the Potato …

Since mid 2017 I have been involved with gardening at the Proeftuin Meerhoven in Eindhoven, The Netherlands. This is a community garden maintained by volunteers in the neighborhood adjoining ours. We use the space with approval from the local council. The harvest from this garden has supplemented our lunches and …

This is a list of experiments Ina and I have been conducting in 2021.

• gardening
  • Arno taking over full responsibility for the allotment
  • Ina helps with voorcultuur, odd jobs
  • harvesting musterd seeds
  • cleaning musterd seeds
  • harvesting mirabels
  • more hedgelaying at the Proeftuin
  • more planting cuttings
    • raspberry
    • black and red currant …

This month I made mustard from mustard seeds grown in the Proeftuin. The recipe follows further down the page. But first a bit of botany.

Flowers of Sinapis alba (white mustard) being worked by a bee. Lower on the stem you can see the seed pods developing. As the plant …

A sample of the species I harvested. From top to bottom and from left to right, starting in the left top corner:

• leaf of Armoracia rusticana (horseradish / mierik)
• leaf of Galium aparine (cleavers / kleefkruid)
• leaf of Achillea millefolium (common yarrow / duizendblad)
• leaf of Claytonia perfoliata (Indian lettuce / winterpostelein)
• flower of …

Since Sunday 2017-07-30 I have been involved with gardening at the Proeftuin Meerhoven in Eindhoven, The Netherlands. This is a community garden maintained by volunteers in the neighborhood adjoining ours. We use the space with approval from the local council. In addition to helping with gardening, I learned a lot …

Below are a number of examples of growing complexity due to available energy surplus. As the available energy inexorably turns down we will be forced to live by the Permaculture principle of Use Slow and Small Solutions.

Car:

• 1800s: engine, brakes, frame, wheels, steering wheel;
• 2020s: as above but with …

I cannot say for certain when I became aware of Permaculture. There were hints, websites read, questions asked. My partner Ina has been an active participant in researching and proposing activities. She was instrumental in nudging me over a few thresholds. I am very grateful to have her in my …