Alongside the Sea Squill (featured in August) the Ground Thistle is one of the only species to flower boldly at this time of year. Its first signs of life come as quite a surprise in the form of a bright pink flower emerging from the drab landscape and dried up foliage from the preceding season....
August is one of the toughest months for all wildlife and few plants have the resilience to survive the scorching heat and drought of the Maltese dry season. Annual species usually complete their life cycle before the heat while perennials adopt extreme strategies such as by having tiny but tough leaves, by going dormant in...
Win a bee hotel or get a free tote bag! Would you like to help us save bees and ecosystems while having the chance of winning a bee hotel for your own home or office?Over the past months Friends of the Earth Malta has been circulating the petition (read more here) as part of a...
Purple and lilac are once again the colours of this month’s featured flower thanks to the spectacular blooming of the Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus-castus) which occasionally has pinkish lighter flowers. Known with various names in both Maltese (Għadiba, Bżar tal-Patrijiet) and English (Chasteberry, Monk’s Peppers) this deciduous Mediterranean species is one of the only indigenous...
The purple reign is here – as the saying goes … it’s time for thyme! The Mediterranean Thyme (MT: Sagħtar) Thymbra capitata is a hardy low growing and aromatic shrub protected by law but not from the relentless winds and long droughts which dominate its preferred habitat. The expanses of garigue have by now dried up...
One can feel that Heaven is here on Earth, especially when we look at and consciously connect with Nature and its immense complexity and intelligence. Many of us who practise permaculture or organic gardening have known for a long time that being in Nature is healing and lifting the Spirit. Just this last year researchers from...
In recent years, EU citizens have become more sensitive to the effects of healthier food, especially from local and organic production chains[1]. It should be noted, though, that in general, healthier food products such as those from organic farming are not accessible to all populations. These products are often sold at a higher price than...
May: Yellow flowers of the month As if to remind us of the upcoming sunny days the month of May sees several shrubs dress up in bright yellow – the colour of warmth and joy and also a great favourite amongst pollinators. These small shrubs are typical of garigue areas and some go as far...
‘As humanity hangs at a precipice, we need shifts that can be made by each of us, with far reaching implications for the planet and all people’. Vandana Shiva We are all becoming increasingly aware of how our daily actions are contributing to the destruction of our planet. The younger generation holds a stronger desire...
