The difference between looking and seeing is precision. Not the exactness of measurement, nor the botanist’s skilled eye noting details, but something gentler. It … Continue

Most plant teaching uses the eyes as the sole means of getting to know a plant. The plant is over there, and we observe … Continue

British comedian Tommy Cooper is famous for saying, ‘pick a card, any card’. So today I want you to do something similar: ‘Find a … Continue

Around the time of the 17th century, the world as we knew it died. Prior to this, it was seen as a living intelligence. … Continue

In today’s world, we often turn to a search engine. We type in our questions and rely on others’ insights for answers. But some … Continue

For a long time, I walked through the landscape without really seeing it. The hedgerows were green. The fields were fields. I moved through … Continue

I had always felt most competent as a forager when I returned with something to show. Perhaps that’s why it took me so long … Continue

People often only learn a plant once. They discover it in summer when it is in full flower and recognisable. They note the leaf … Continue

I want to pick up where I left off in the last post. Because after I wrote that last piece, something nagged at me. … Continue

When did we stop seeing the world as alive? I come back to this question often. It’s a practical question. A serious one. Not … Continue