Growing, Adapting & Thriving with Liz Zorab

We live, work, and dream on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lands. We acknowledge them as holding deep ecological knowledge and their ability to live sustainably in harmony with the land. They and other ancient cultures are roots of permaculture—working with nature, fostering resilience, and ensuring balance for future generations.

In this episode, I chat with the lovely Liz Zorab about her journey through gardening, permaculture, and finding balance in self-sufficiency. From tackling poor soil to dealing with pesky garden invaders, Liz shares how she’s turned challenges into learning experiences—one plant at a time!

We dive into:
✨ Adapting to your environment and workingwith nature
✨ The ups and downs of moving to a new property
✨ Why starting small in permaculture is the secret to long-term success
✨ The magic of mixing beauty and function—ornamentals + edibles = chef’s kiss!
✨ How documenting your garden journey helps you see just how far you’ve come

Plus, Liz keeps it real about the importance of self-kindness when living a sustainable lifestyle. Because let’s be honest—gardening (and life) isn’t always sunshine and rainbows, but it’sso worth it.

Grab a cuppa and join us for this inspiring convo! 🌱✨

Key Takeaways

• Liz has lived in Wales for 25 years, currently in Carmarthenshire.
• She started exploring permaculture while living on an eight-tenths of an acre site.
• The climate in Wales is oceanic temperate, with high rainfall and mild winters.
• Gardening began for Liz at a young age, inspired by her father.
• Health challenges led Liz to focus on self-sufficiency and growing her own food.
• Self-sufficiency can mean different things to different people.
• Liz emphasises the importance of finding a balance in self-sufficiency.
• The move to a new property presented challenges, including distance to the garden.
• Liz's journey reflects a broader theme of adapting to life's changes.
• Community sufficiency is an important consideration in sustainable living. Weeds can be managed with persistence and planning.
• Soil quality is crucial for successful gardening.
• Adapting to the environment is key in gardening.
• Combining ornamentals and edibles enhances garden aesthetics.
• Starting small allows for manageable growth in permaculture.
• Documenting progress helps in recognising achievements.
• Flexibility in gardening practices is essential.
• Learning from mistakes accelerates gardening knowledge.
• Community support enriches the gardening experience.
• Gardening is a journey of continuous learning and adaptation.