March 22, 2021

Let Spring Be Your Guide

March 22, 2021/ Nat Mady

Spring is slowly awakening here in Hackney. The elder and hawthorn buds are beginning to unfurl, nettles are sending up fresh green shoots and the migratory birds are making their way back from warmer shores to nest. There will soon be lots to forage, from hawthorn flowers to dandelions and our senses will be drinking in many new sights, smells and sensations of the shifting season. This free downloadable nature connection guide will give you some inspiration and practical activities to try out this spring!

March 05, 2021

Garden talk: Why we all should be avoiding peat

March 05, 2021/ Camila Barboza

If you go into a garden centre looking for compost, you’ll most likely find a big range of options, but unfortunately, most of it is going to have one thing in common: Peat! But what is peat, and why shouldn’t we be using it in our gardens?

January 12, 2021

10 ways for everyone to connect to nature during winter lockdown

January 12, 2021/ Nat Mady

During this winter lockdown in the UK, we can continue to lean on nature as a guide, resource and support, and bring an awareness of each other, our environment and of the barriers many face to spending time outside. Here are some ideas for everyone to connect with nature, both outdoors, and from your home if you are isolating or have difficulty accessing a safe green space.

September 04, 2020

Introduction to Permaculture: Video Series

September 04, 2020/ Nat Mady

Permaculture is very much at the heart of what we do here at Hackney Herbal influencing everything from our strategy as a social enterprise to the design of our gardens and projects. This 4-part series introduces the ethics and principles of permaculture and explains how it can be implemented in different ways across home, work, lifestyle and community.

July 12, 2020

Herbs Throughout the Year // July

July 12, 2020/ Camila Barboza

The height of summer is here and with it comes an abundance of herbs from both cultivated plots or gardens and the wild spaces that surround us.

June 28, 2020

Virtual Herb Walk // Late June

June 28, 2020/ Camila Barboza

It’s time for another virtual herb walk, highlighting beautiful herbs that can be found in parks, roadsides and green spaces in general at the moment. This month we’re going for five gorgeous flowers: Linden, Yarrow, Mallow, St Johns Wort, and Mugwort.

June 12, 2020

Herbs Throughout the Year // June

June 12, 2020/ Camila Barboza

June is a pretty magical time of the year, the days are really long, plants grow at an astounding rate and there's an explosion of colour as flowers of the most diverse shapes and shades come into season.

May 29, 2020

Virtual Herb Walk // Late May

May 29, 2020/ Camila Barboza

Here are five of the many beautiful herbs and edible treats that can be found in London's green spaces at the moment. We invite you to turn your attention to them and enjoy their presence. Have a close look, touch, smell, take their essence in! If you're confident you know what they are, taste them! Gather a few and take them home to make tea, syrups, vinegars and other delights. Appreciate what they have to offer!

May 15, 2020

Everything that is elderflower and everything that is not!

May 15, 2020/ Nat Mady

At this time of year Elderflower is abundant in and around London. If you are outside of the city it’s coming to you soon! However if you are new to foraging this lovely flower then it is easy to get mixed up with the abundance of other creamy frothy flowers that are also blooming. Many of which are not edible and are in fact poisonous. Therefore it’s good to be really certain that you are picking the right thing. To help here are some pictures of elderflower and also a load of other flowers that are not elderflower.

May 14, 2020

Herbs Throughout the Year // May

May 14, 2020/ Camila Barboza

Whether you’re growing your own herbs or foraging for them, May is a pretty exciting month. In the garden, established plants and those started early in the season will be at their peak, but it’s still a good time to start new plants too! Foragers are also spoiled for choice at the moment, with an array of beautiful herbs present in any green spaces you find.