A marriage of two minds on the roof terrace

It’s settled into an almost Japanese harmony…

The roof terrace stirs. Leaf is breaking free from pruned rose stems. The ‘Bengal Crimson’ has soft, new growth and flower buds, a red-fire haze on a green-leaf bush. Soon it will be covered in blooms. We don’t trim this rose at all. It’s settled into an almost Japanese harmony, and, anyway, flowers through the year.

We went bigger on bulbs this winter. Narcissi and tulips, taller French and assorted others. Mostly, I think, from Farmer Gracy (farmergracy.co.uk) – though Henri is known to add her own hidden orders. Normally I start by making my choice and she sorts through these, culls mine and then adds her own spin.

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* This article was originally published here

* This article was originally published here

A marriage of two minds on the roof terrace

It’s settled into an almost Japanese harmony…

The roof terrace stirs. Leaf is breaking free from pruned rose stems. The ‘Bengal Crimson’ has soft, new growth and flower buds, a red-fire haze on a green-leaf bush. Soon it will be covered in blooms. We don’t trim this rose at all. It’s settled into an almost Japanese harmony, and, anyway, flowers through the year.

We went bigger on bulbs this winter. Narcissi and tulips, taller French and assorted others. Mostly, I think, from Farmer Gracy (farmergracy.co.uk) – though Henri is known to add her own hidden orders. Normally I start by making my choice and she sorts through these, culls mine and then adds her own spin.

Continue reading...

* This article was originally published here

Fairfax County’s planning commission backs new rules to preserve River Farm

Fairfax County's Planning Commission gave approval to additional zoning regulations that, if enacted, would give the local government more power to ensure that any future use of River Farm is done in a way that protects its historic legacy. The Board of Supervisors, which encouraged staff to explore the initiative, will take up the proposal next month.

* This article was originally published here

* This article was originally published here

Fairfax County’s planning commission backs new rules to preserve River Farm

Fairfax County's Planning Commission gave approval to additional zoning regulations that, if enacted, would give the local government more power to ensure that any future use of River Farm is done in a way that protects its historic legacy. The Board of Supervisors, which encouraged staff to explore the initiative, will take up the proposal next month.

* This article was originally published here

Gardening columnist Adrian Higgins answered questions on planting veggies, preparing for cicadas more

He will be online to answer questions about preparing for spring, his new guide to popular common plants and all things gardening.

* This article was originally published here

* This article was originally published here

Tell us: how have you made the most of your front garden?

If you’re lucky enough to have a front garden, we’d love to know about your makeovers during the past year

For many people, front gardens have become a valued space over the last year. With governments encouraging us to stay at home, what might have once been simply a place to park the car or put out the bins has taken on greater importance – resulting in some impressive front garden makeovers.

Perhaps you’ve ditched the gravel driveway in favour of a lush lawn? Or maybe you’ve added eye-catching hanging pots and a stylish trellis? You may have even revamped the whole exterior, repainting your front door and installing new furniture. If you’re lucky enough to have a front garden, we’d love to know more about how you make the most of it.

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* This article was originally published here

He challenged himself to build an ADU for under $100,000. What's his secret?

Architect professor Alexis Navarro designed and built an accessory dwelling unit that is affordable and attractive. The result is inspiring.

* This article was originally published here

Gardening columnist Adrian Higgins answered questions on planting veggies, preparing for cicadas more

He will be online to answer questions about preparing for spring, his new guide to popular common plants and all things gardening.

* This article was originally published here

From veggie gardening to op-shopping, migrants are the quiet environmentalists | Sukhmani Khorana

Research shows ethnic minorities are often under-represented in the urban environmental movement, yet often practice sustainability at home

The organised environmental movement is largely a white, middle-class space. But our research shows migrants care for nature in other ways – including living sustainably in their everyday lives.

This is most obvious on the domestic front. From repurposing goods to keeping vegetable gardens and being careful with electricity use, migrants are highly likely to practise sustainable living – sometimes without even realising it.

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* This article was originally published here

* This article was originally published here

From veggie gardening to op-shopping, migrants are the quiet environmentalists | Sukhmani Khorana

Research shows ethnic minorities are often under-represented in the urban environmental movement, yet often practice sustainability at home

The organised environmental movement is largely a white, middle-class space. But our research shows migrants care for nature in other ways – including living sustainably in their everyday lives.

This is most obvious on the domestic front. From repurposing goods to keeping vegetable gardens and being careful with electricity use, migrants are highly likely to practise sustainable living – sometimes without even realising it.

Continue reading...

* This article was originally published here

From veggie gardening to op-shopping, migrants are the quiet environmentalists | Sukhmani Khorana for The Conversation

Research shows ethnic minorities are often under-represented in the urban environmental movement, yet often practice sustainability at home

The organised environmental movement is largely a white, middle-class space. But our research shows migrants care for nature in other ways – including living sustainably in their everyday lives.

This is most obvious on the domestic front. From repurposing goods to keeping vegetable gardens and being careful with electricity use, migrants are highly likely to practise sustainable living – sometimes without even realising it.

Continue reading...

* This article was originally published here

* This article was originally published here

From veggie gardening to op-shopping, migrants are the quiet environmentalists | Sukhmani Khorana for The Conversation

Research shows ethnic minorities are often under-represented in the urban environmental movement, yet often practice sustainability at home

The organised environmental movement is largely a white, middle-class space. But our research shows migrants care for nature in other ways – including living sustainably in their everyday lives.

This is most obvious on the domestic front. From repurposing goods to keeping vegetable gardens and being careful with electricity use, migrants are highly likely to practise sustainable living – sometimes without even realising it.

Continue reading...

* This article was originally published here

Left high and dry by a climbing sunseeker | Brief letters

Child poverty | Royal coverage | Washing lines | Wordplay | International Women’s Day

Schools and their communities recognise the importance of nutrition in learning (One in five UK schools has set up a food bank in Covid crisis, survey suggests, 4 March). Teachers know that brain development before birth and in the early years is affected by diet. It’s not simply a question of being hungry, but needing fuel for the brain. Yet again children are having their life chances limited and their health undermined by the reluctance of our government to provide an adequate benefits system.
Carole Coleman
Copley, West Yorkshire

• I despair that even the Guardian is contributing to the feeding frenzy that is the alleged quarrel between sections of the Windsor family (Report, 5 March). Please limit your coverage of this matter to a Lucy Mangan review of the Oprah interview. That’s bound to make me laugh at least.
Anne Cowper
Bishopston, West Glamorgan

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* This article was originally published here

* This article was originally published here

Left high and dry by a climbing sunseeker | Brief letters

Child poverty | Royal coverage | Washing lines | Wordplay | International Women’s Day

Schools and their communities recognise the importance of nutrition in learning (One in five UK schools has set up a food bank in Covid crisis, survey suggests, 4 March). Teachers know that brain development before birth and in the early years is affected by diet. It’s not simply a question of being hungry, but needing fuel for the brain. Yet again children are having their life chances limited and their health undermined by the reluctance of our government to provide an adequate benefits system.
Carole Coleman
Copley, West Yorkshire

• I despair that even the Guardian is contributing to the feeding frenzy that is the alleged quarrel between sections of the Windsor family (Report, 5 March). Please limit your coverage of this matter to a Lucy Mangan review of the Oprah interview. That’s bound to make me laugh at least.
Anne Cowper
Bishopston, West Glamorgan

Continue reading...

* This article was originally published here

DIY Pom Pom Rug

Do you love soft, squishy rugs? Add some fluffy, cute accent to any room with this DIY pom pom rug that is insanely easy to make! You can catch the full tutorial on how to make this rug here. 

 

* This article was originally published here

DIY New Neighbor Welcome Gifts

Considering twice as many people moved at the start of COVID-19 than any other timeframe and isolation has impacted everyone’s mental health, I thought you would love these neighbourly printable greeting cards.

The post features basket tags, greeting cards, a neighbourhood recommendation sheet, and pet goodie bag tags to help welcome new neighbours and to brighten the day of an existing neighbour.

* This article was originally published here

* This article was originally published here

DIY New Neighbor Welcome Gifts

Considering twice as many people moved at the start of COVID-19 than any other timeframe and isolation has impacted everyone’s mental health, I thought you would love these neighbourly printable greeting cards.

The post features basket tags, greeting cards, a neighbourhood recommendation sheet, and pet goodie bag tags to help welcome new neighbours and to brighten the day of an existing neighbour.

* This article was originally published here