Grow Your Food in a Nook and Cranny Garden, part 2 (290)

"We're here to help form things. We have a food forest mimicking what the natural forest does." Ann and Gord Baird's edible gardens make use of less-than-ideal growing spaces on their rocky knoll. Nook and cranny gardens optimize micro-climates — water catchment for … [Read more...]

Grow Your Food in a Nook and Cranny Garden, part 1 (289)

"Chickens are naturally forest birds." A tour of Gord and Ann Baird's edible landscape starts at the off-grid chicken house and yard, containing fruit trees that provide a protective canopy against flying predators. Roof rainwater becomes drinking water for the chickens, … [Read more...]

This Old House — Rethink, Reuse, Remodel (195)

Turn a century-old Seattle house into an efficient, energy-producing home using repurposed materials. Owner-builder Jim Bristow's creativity extends to reclaiming dead spaces, jacketing his house with exterior insulation, and modernizing the kitchen with sleek previously … [Read more...]

How Much Food Can I Grow Around My House?

In summer 2006 Judy Alexander embarked on an experiment to see how much food she could grow, and how many neighbors could benefit, from the garden around her house. Check out her homegrown rainwater collection and irrigation system — watering her 60+ edible crops. Meet the … [Read more...]

An Innovative Program Helps Residents Protect Their Water

Water is a precious resource we can't live without. Pat Pearson educates Olympic Peninsula citizens with a "Water Matters" campaign and "Shore Stewards" program for shoreline residents. New homeowners receive a "Welcome to Your Watershed" packet, while volunteers build … [Read more...]