contents GARDENING SPECIAL • JUNE/JULY 2009 ISSUE 29

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MAIN FEATURES 10 NURTURE IN NATURE

Exploring eco playgroups and how to set up your own. 14 FESTIVAL TIME

We track down the best summer festival fun and give away loads of family tickets. 18 BORN FREE

The story of an unassisted lotus birth.

BUMPS & BIRTH 23 MEDICINAL HERBS

Plants, breastfeeding and how to make mother’s milk tea. 26 WHEN TO WEAN

Iris Coates explores the culture and traditions of baby food and weaning.

FAMILY LIFE 13 SUNDAY SELECTION

Fun things to do on Father’s Day. 25 SPIRITUAL PARENTING

Natalie Fee seeks lessons in the everyday.

4 The Green Parent

82 SMALLHOLDER’S DIARY

Janet Ross asks can you keep free-range hens and grow your own vegetables?

LEARNING 30 ON THE BOOKSHELF

Great green reads for the whole family. 32 NATURAL LEARNING

Gill Kilner discovers a wealth of learning opportunities outside her back door. 33 MAKE YOUR OWN

Step-by-step instructions on how to make a mini garden.

HEALTH & BEAUTY 49 CHILD HEALTH

How to treat colic naturally. 50 NATURAL BEAUTY

Moisturisers tried and tested by our readers. 51 YOUR HEALTH

Organic goodies for men and summer skincare sorted.

35 GARDENING SPECIAL 36 GETTING STARTED Great ideas to encourage

a love of natural gardening in our children. 38 PERMACULTURE PARENTING Working on a

green allotment plot with the whole family. 43 WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE Discover ideas

for attracting wildlife into your back yard. 45 LITTLE GREEN FINGERS A selection of seeds,

tools and gifts especially for children. 46 THE COMPOST DOCTOR All your composting

questions and queries answered.

 GARDENING SPECIAL 

GROW YOUR OWN Ideas and

activities 36

I M A G E : O R G A N I X . C O M

PAGES OF G REEN

IDEAS AND

STORIES

How to create a creature friendly garden 43 ATTRACT WILDLIFE

PLUS PERMACULTURE 38 | TO OLS FOR KIDS 45 | COMPOST D OCTOR 46

Gardening Special | The Green Parent 35 MEET OUR READERS This issue we have five lovely readers to test out natural products and give us their opinions on green gardening.

LIZ PILLEY, 35 is married with two children; a daughter, Freya, six and a son, Heath, four. She lives in Surrey. Describe yourself: intense, introspective, loving Favourite film: Shakespeare In Love Best place in the world:

Home, or by the sea Most memorable experience: The birth of my children - each in a different way Hobbies: I always have a book in my hand, and I’m often writing something Pets: a cat named Storm Edible treat: Green and Blacks milk chocolate.

HELEN ARTHUR, 37 lives in Suffolk with her family. She is married with two children; Sam, six and Grace, four. Describe yourself: positive, responsible, friendly Favourite book: The Memory Keeper’s Daughter Best place in

the world: my living room with a hot cup of tea Most memorable experience: Giving birth to my children Hobbies: I’m a governor at my son’s school. I also enjoy baking and reading Pets: two goldfish Edible treat: My Mother-in-Law’s apple pie.

FRANCES LAING, 45 lives in Cheshire with her husband and their child, age 3. Describe yourself: feisty, loyal, durable Favourite film: anything with/by Jodie Foster Best place in the world: My allotment (of

course) Most memorable experience: Chaining myself to a gas rig in the Wadden Sea with Greenpeace Germany in the 1990s Hobbies: organic fruit and veg growing Edible treat: Tomato salad with home grown garlic and just-picked-salad-leaves.

AMANDA COLNAGHI, 35 lives in Hampshire with her husband and their three children. Describe yourself: The Eternal Dreamer Favourite read/film: Lord of the Rings Best place in the world: Lake District Most

memorable experience: The birth of each of my children. Hobbies: Not much time for hobbies! Looking after our animals and home educating my girls Pets: dog, three cats, tortoise, hamster and three chickens Edible treat: honey roast cashews.

JULIE HOLLINGWORTH, 31 lives in Leeds with her partner and their two children, Sam, seven and Georgia-Rose, four. Describe yourself: intuitive, determined, nurturing Favourite film: Forrest Gump Best place in the world: Anywhere

beautiful, remote and devoid of trafic! Most memorable experience: Holding our two beautiful babies for the first time. Nothing comes close. Hobbies: Making music, reading, cooking, Geocaching, having fun with the kids. Edible treat: Chocolate.

69 ECOSOURCEBOOK In this edition our Eco Source Book is full of ideas and activities for every aspect of family life. Discover natural painting tips, find out which sling is best for a newborn and enter all our amazing competitions for your chance to win great green goodies.

ecosourcebook

Everything you need for green an d ethical living

WIN jigsaw puzzle s

page 70

SLING ALONG

Which carrier is best for your

newborn baby p74

INSPIRING

STORIES Families doing great

things

L E A R N I N G

E T H I C A L F A S H I O N

B U M P S & B I R T H

R E A L N A P P I E S

E C O L I V I N G

FOOD & DRINK 53 WHAT’S IN SEASON?

I M A G E : C L O S E P A R E N T . C O M

What’s inside? 70 learning c ardboard playhouses and fun jigs aws to win 72 fashion affordab le

organics for babies and first sh oes 74 bumps and birth labo ur kits and babywearing 76 re al

nappies win real nappy sets and treat sore skin 78 eco living ou tdoor eco paint and tips on cuttin g

your carbon 80 health and b eauty rose scented beauty good ies and body butters to give awa y

GREEN TRAVEL 63 FAMILY RIDES

ecosourcebook | The Green Parent 69

Free from recipe and snack foods tested. 54 FROM A TO ZUCCHINI

Simple seasonal recipes with courgettes.

HOUSE & GARDEN 56 SECRET LIFE OF PLANTS

Discover a waterside family cycling route.

REGULARS 7 YOUR LETTERS 9 OUT AND ABOUT 64 NEXT ISSUE 65 ASTROLOGY 66 SUBSCRIBE

H E A L T H & B E A U T Y

Discover the medicinal properties of the fennel plant. 57 HOME NEWS

What to do in the garden and recycled furniture. 59 A GREEN BATHROOM

Ideas and advice for keeping your bathroom green and clean.

ETHICAL FASHION 61 WHAT’S NEW

Gorgeous clothing for adults and children made from the world’s most sustainable plant - bamboo.

COMPETITIONS Email your details to competitions@ thegreenparent.co.uk 17 Festival ticket giveaway 70 win jigsaw puzzles 72 organic tees to win 74 handmade playthings 76 big nappy giveaway 78 eco picnic mats to win 80 win natural body butter

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The Green Parent 5