This archive brings together practical, experience-led articles from The Backyard Farmer, covering gardening, DIY, indoor growing, foraging, reviews, and sustainable living. Each post is written with real-world use in mind — focusing on working with nature, building practical skills, and making sustainable choices more accessible.
I’ve tested four Hiltwood natural soap bars in normal everyday use — including after muddy days working outdoors — to see how they actually perform on scent, lather, cleansing and skin feel. Hiltwood makes its soaps in the UK using natural ingredients, and the range
Vegan soap contains no animal-derived ingredients, while cruelty-free relates to animal-testing standards or policies. The two claims are related but not interchangeable, so it is worth checking both when choosing a soap bar. I selected these options based on clear vegan labelling or certification, UK
Handmade soap is easy to find in the UK, but quality varies. Some brands focus on simple everyday bars, while others lean into botanicals, stronger scents or gift-ready presentation. For this guide, I’ve compared UK handmade and artisan soap brands on ingredients, usability, value and
Choosing a truly 100% natural soap UK option should be simple, but it rarely is. Many bars marketed as “natural”, “pure”, or “eco‑friendly” still slip in synthetic fragrances, detergent‑based ingredients, artificial colours, or palm‑derived additives. And because there’s no legal definition of “natural” in UK
Introduction Switching to DIY natural cleaning products is one of the easiest ways to create a healthier, greener, and more affordable home. Because most homemade cleaning products rely on simple, natural ingredients, you can quickly reduce chemicals, cut plastic waste, and save money without sacrificing
Introduction Cooking from scratch is one of the simplest ways to save money at home while still eating well. Homemade food tastes better, cuts out preservatives, and reduces waste—all without the premium price tag. Here’s the straightforward version of why it works: By choosing ingredients
Choosing a truly natural soap shouldn’t feel confusing. Yet with terms like organic, natural, handmade, and even organic soap UK used so loosely, it’s easy to feel unsure about what any of it really means. Most of us simply want cleaner ingredients, gentler formulas, and
Palm oil shows up in far more everyday products than most people realise—food, cosmetics, detergents, candles, and especially soap. However, the environmental cost behind this convenience is significant. Because palm oil is linked to large‑scale deforestation and biodiversity loss, more people in the UK are
Introduction: The Harmful Environmental Impact of Styrofoam Styrofoam pollution, also known as Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) pollution, is everywhere—from takeout containers to shipping boxes. But while it’s convenient, its environmental impact is alarming. It is commonly found in packaging, food containers and insulation. Environmental Impact Why
Introduction: Preworn Denim in Bulk: The Best Kept Secret Looking for the ultimate secret to saving money and living sustainably? It’s preworn denim in bulk! Whether you’re: bulk preworn denim offers a stylish and practical solution. This trend not only offers affordable options but also
If your Amazon Smart Plug has stopped responding, do not factory-reset it straight away. Start by checking whether the problem is the wall socket, connected appliance, Alexa or the plug itself. A few simple checks will usually identify the fault without wiping the setup. Model
The best Amazon Smart Plug uses are simple ones: controlling lamps, hard-to-reach indoor lights, Christmas decorations and other low-risk appliances that safely restart when power returns. Alexa Routines can then switch them on or off at set times or as part of a wider household