Inspired by a new tree mural in Finsbury, rumoured to be a Banksy masterpiece, Nettle set out to discover the hidden gems of nature-inspired street art.  If you want to liven up your balcony but don’t know where to start, gardener Robert Ridgewell explains everything you need to know about preparation, must-have tools, and top…

The Urban Tree Festival celebrates urban trees annually. We have ventured behind the scenes of this organisation.  Nettle Magazine speak to Andrew Stuck, inventor of the Urban Tree Festival, and dives into the behind-the-scenes of the celebration of urban trees.  Q: What motivated you to start the festival?   A: Previously, there was London Tree Week,…

London is one of the biggest cities in the world and with the sprawling big buildings and the hustle bustle of our everyday lives, there is another life that coexists. A natural life that hides beneath your carpets and within your walls. These little guests found in the nooks and corners of our houses and…

A common man with the most uncommon pets. Within an ever-changing world if one thing stays constant it is the companionship of our beloved pets. Whether it be the furry dogs or the purring cats, pet keeping has always been a common practice. But what if the options weren’t limited there?   In 2023, there was…

In the heart of London, a quiet but impactful revolution is taking place – urban beekeeping. This growing trend is not merely about harvesting honey; it’s a concerted effort to forge a sustainable relationship between the city and its often-overlooked pollinators.  The roots of this movement can be traced back to the early 2000s, a…

Seedlings of Change: Confessions of a Guerrilla Gardener  “In under two minutes, the sequence unfolds. Dig. Scatter seeds. Cover. This rapid routine is a testament to my burgeoning proficiency. As a novice guerrilla gardener, I find a rhythm in the silent rebellion against urban neglect. The cool, pliable earth beneath my fingers and the night…

An artist is crafting edible Landscapes in the Heart of the City Basil, parsley, and mint sprouts, nestled in small foam vases, gently sway along the water channel cut into a curved wooden table. Framed by green moss and flanked by rustic tableware, the setup blends natural charm with elegant simplicity. Currently being showcased within…

Have you ever planted? Do you love gardening? Nowadays, we can see community gardens roots everywhere in London, unlike the first function of ensuring food supply during war time, community gardens have turned into a place that embraces diversity, sustainability, and shared growth with distinctive features in a fast-paced metropolis like London, an international centre…

Explore Adrienne Lau’s innovative approach to sustainable urban design, and follow her journey from London’s bustling streets to Colindale’s bamboo gardens, reshaping urban spaces one project at a time.  In the bustling streets of London, the skyline is dominated not by a celestial display of stars but by towering structures crafted from steel and concrete.…

Hong Kong farmer, Yu-Wing Wong, tells Nettle how he overcame climate and soil differences, to promote home gardening and organic farming through seed sales and gardening classes “Work from dawn to dusk,” is an ancient Chinese proverb that describes the routine of farmers who live by nature’s cycles. Yu-WingWong, 56, is a Hong Kong farmer…