An expensive food shop has a way of following you home. You’ve put everything away, but you’re still thinking about the total on the receipt and wondering how much higher it might be next time. I understand the temptation to buy extra while you can. Having food put aside feels reassuring. But reassurance gets rather…
As someone who gardens in a normal back garden with an allotment on the side — and who has just spent the last few weeks clearing beds, building a polytunnel, and battling the first frost — I know how important it is to choose the right things to do in your garden before winter arrives….
When it comes to cleaning, it’s easy to fall into the trap of using chemical-laden products, but what if you could make your own cleaning solution from something as simple as ivy? That’s right — the ivy growing right outside your window can be transformed into a powerful, natural DIY ivy dish soap! For years…
Building a small-space homestead isn’t about land ownership or grand plans — it’s about learning what’s possible in the space you already have. After years of growing food, preserving, and building self-reliance from an ordinary UK home, we’ve learned that thoughtful planning matters far more than square footage. This guide shares a realistic, UK-specific approach…
For the past several years I’ve grown food in small UK gardens, raised beds, containers, and even troughs — often starting later than I meant to. I know exactly what it feels like to think you’re behind on spring gardening while everyone else seems weeks ahead. The good news? In the British climate, “behind” is…
Welcome, good lifers! If you’ve found yourself here, you’re probably a bit like us at Castle Good Life: juggling work, life, and an unwavering commitment to a homestead lifestyle. This week has been especially full of activity for us, but it’s reminded me of the small, intentional steps we take to keep our homestead running…
In a world where food prices are steadily climbing and sustainability is on everyone’s mind, managing food waste has become a shared concern for many households. Whether you’re looking to make your groceries last longer or reduce the amount of food heading to the bin, understanding how to keep food fresh is a key skill. …
Hello everyone! It’s been a while since I’ve been able to sit down and give you a proper life update. Honestly, the past month or so has been a bit of a whirlwind, and this post is going to be a bit of a reflective one, filled with both good news and some challenges. Let’s…
If you’ve ever foraged for wild herbs in your garden, you may have come across wild garlic—a pungent, aromatic plant often used in natural cooking. Its distinct scent and flavour make it a favourite for everything from pesto to soups. But what happens when your curious chickens peck at this fragrant greenery? As backyard chicken…
Starting an allotment is an exciting journey, but before the fun of planting begins, there’s some important groundwork to be done – quite literally. To prepare allotment soil properly is one of the most crucial steps to ensure your crops thrive throughout the season. When I first got my allotment; it felt like a blank…
