Co-operative living offers a not-for-profit way to avoid the property casino – here's how one group did it. Read more
Magazine
Building houses from straw is proving an attractive proposition to some councils and residents, thanks to their energy efficiency. Read more
View a gallery of straw homes here
You'd like to produce your own food, but when you try to put your name down for a council allotment you are told the waiting list is really long. Why? And is there any point in waiting? Read more
Agricultural researchers believe that building indoor farms in the middle of cities could help solve the world's hunger problem. Experts say that vertical farming could feed up to 10 billion people and make agriculture independent of the weather and the need for land. There's only one snag: The urban farms need huge amounts of energy. Read more
Photo Gallery: Feeding the World with Vertical Farms
With global population expected to surpass 7 billion people this year, the staggering impact on the environment is hard to ignore. Read more
The era of cheap produce is over. So what next? Robin Barton meets the farmers, producers and scientists with the future of our food in their hands. Read more
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) throws open the gates of the Chelsea Flower Show today with a message for Britain's gardeners: the humble urban backyard can help save the planet. Read more
Alys Fowler discovers how to make a cage out of willow sticks to help beans and peas flourish in communal gardens.