permaculture
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The rain has continued non-stop here and is expected to carry on over the next few days. The fear mongering powers that be told us to expect a terrifyingly hot dry season due to ever increasing climate change. Well we are 10C below the average temperature for this time of year, and the ponds are Read more
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A turn in the weather has put a pause on all outdoor work for the last couple of days. Buckets of rain and a massive temperature drop means muddy garden beds and cold soil. No matter, Wednesday was a trip into the city for supplies and a little get away. Thursday was very blustery and Read more
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Potato planting and other garden prep filled the morning, Yukon Gold and Russet varieties are going in this year. Before getting very far we were blessed with another drench of rain, sending us inside for a restful coffee break. Flower baskets are hung, and tomato plants are climatized in preparation for a permanent move to Read more
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For those of us who are familiar with more traditional gardening methods, transitioning to a permaculture lifestyle can feel somewhat overwhelming. It means a major shift from a consumerism mindset to adopting a holistic view to life that prioritizes sustainability, self sufficiency, and harmony with mother nature. But the transition should be viewed as a Read more
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It’s amazing what we can grow in the north here in zone 3. At Avril Cottage we have four very distinct seasons and summers are short and intense. The intensity means we can grow a surprising variety of plants and vegetables, but sometimes mother nature needs a little help. Take tomatoes for example. These were Read more
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Here at Avril Cottage, Spring makes a slow and welcome appearance. So many blogs and vlogs showcase their worlds in full bloom before the last of the snow has even left our gardens. The grassy lawn is visibly greener today, lush and thickening. The nourishing rain ended this morning, yesterday was spent indoors cooking, drinking Read more
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The rain has returned to the Canadian prairies, welcome and cleansing! The birds think so too. Here at Avril Cottage there is a fully modern kitchen, but you will not find a dishwasher anywhere in sight. Dishes are washed in small batches by hand which conserves both water and electricity. Outdoors, water barrels are located Read more
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Welcome to Avril Cottage! Here we practice frugal living, but frugality does not mean scarcity or deprivation. The world has us conditioned to believe we need all sorts of material things to be happy, but this is false–the corporate lie of commercialism. Look, the bumble bees are out and about in full force pollinating the Read more
Avril Cottage 