The "Отгледано с любов" Blog
90 posts on plants, permaculture, recipes, herbs, and community.
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Translation status
All 90 posts are now available in English. Most are translations of the Bulgarian originals — faithful to the content, but not the author's original English writing — and each carries a note to that effect.
Browse the blog by topic — see all tags.
2026
The Tomato, the Wondrous Vine from the Tropical Jungles
The tomato is, in its soul, a vine from the jungle — and if we plant it with respect for that nature of its, it will repay us generously. How I plant tomatoes horizontally, and
Perma calculator — transparent math, no hallucinations
What sits behind the svilena.me calculator — which numbers have a public source, which are measured live, why it''s free, and what was removed under the "no hallucinations" rule.
🌿 Rosemary — the Herb of Memory, Circulation and Clarity
Its benefits are numerous. It supports cognitive function — supports memory and mental clarity, improves concentration and alertness, provides…
Sgledniti 2026 — a tea house in nature
Svilena joins Sgledniti 2026 (29–31 May, Sofia region) — Bulgaria's living-traditions and nature-aligned-lifestyle festival. A small stand: garden tea, wood-fired coffee, and a
Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) — влашец
🌱 Chives (Allium schoenoprasum), also known as Siberian onion or salad onion, are a perennial green herb of the onion family with…
Why support Svilena Racheva''s project
Why svilena.me is not only market production. Behind the raspberry operation and the services lies nearly two decades of work toward sustainable living — and part of it has never…
For Strict GMO Regulations in Europe: TAKE ACTION!
The new GMOs in the EU and our right to know what we eat. Do you have a garden? Do you buy at the market? Do you give fruit to your children? Then this concerns you personally…
2025
Allelopathy: The Secret Language of Plants
In nature, plants do not merely coexist — they communicate with one another through invisible chemical signals that can change the fate of the whole garden.
Braising — Blog — Svilena Racheva
Braising is a cooking technique in which the ingredients are briefly seared over high heat, after which cooking continues with a small amount of…
Glyphosate — Sources of Information
Lately the debates among gardeners on social media about "glyphosate" — the most widely used herbicide in the world — have not died down, and the information…
The Jalapeño Is Older Than the Pyramids!
🧂🌶️ The jalapeño is older than the pyramids! It comes from Mexico, where the Aztecs used it more than 6,000 years ago, and its name comes from the town of Xalapa in the state…
How to See Off the Longest Night
Magical rituals for the coming winter solstice. The winter solstice — on 21 December 2025, which is also the longest night of the year — is the moment when…
A Tincture from Dried Herbs — тинктура
How to make an alcohol extract (tincture) from dried herbs: the key points. If you like preparing home-made tinctures, you have probably wondered whether…
Are "living" Christmas trees actually alive?
If you too feel sorry for the felled Christmas trees — the ones that grew for years only to decorate our homes for a few days and then be discarded — you may have considered a
2023
Maclura Fruit in Tincture and Salve — What It Helps With
Maclura — what it is and what its benefits are. Maclura pomifera, also known as the Osage orange or hedge apple, grows in parks.…
2021
The Killer Roundup — Blog — Svilena Racheva
I write this hoping that, before you shoulder the sprayer and "simply" get rid of the annoying grass, you will manage to understand that there is nothing simple in…
For the Soil — with Love! — бали слама
December 5th — World Soil Day! You may know that carbon is the main component of the soil''s organic matter, which helps its structure, its water-holding capacity, and its
2020
Congratulations to Us! — CSA — Дива кухня
Today is a special day! Something of an anniversary. Exactly twenty weeks since my Fridays began like this — in at least 20 shades of green. Snow, rain, blazing heat,…
Mustard Greens — от лехата до устата
Ever since I began bringing salads and greens to the market, it has struck me that the Bulgarian buyer still treats MUSTARD GREENS — this incredibly useful, peppery, crunchy
FROM THE BED TO THE MOUTH — Blog
As a natural continuation of your intention to take better care of yourself this year, make a decision to eat more vegetables! This means doing everything you can to…
From the Bed to the Mouth — от лехата до устата
Recipes inspired by the garden. As a natural continuation of your intention to take better care of yourself this year, make a decision to eat…
The CSA "Grown with Love" — Blog
Your garden. This is a story about the path of trust. Most of us know one another. Even if you have not come to the market to buy fresh greens,…
The CSA "Grown with Love" — пермакултурна пазарна градина
The "Grown with Love" Community-Supported Agriculture programme, or Your garden. This is a story about the path of trust. Most of us know one another.
What Is Lemon Basil, and Does It Have a Place Here?
I am not surprised that many people at the farmers'' market hear of lemon basil for the first time, since, after all, its homeland is Indonesia. There they use it for…
Sautéed Mustard Greens — от лехата до устата
This recipe uses MUSTARD GREENS, this incredibly useful, peppery, crunchy vegetable, also known as leaf mustard — but in the same way you can prepare…
Greens with Garlic and Ginger — от лехата до устата
Dark-green leafy vegetables (greens) are one of the most nutritious things you can eat — they are incredibly rich in vitamins, minerals, including calcium, and I just love them!
2019
What We Don't Know About Root-Vegetable Tops
Many root vegetables — carrots, turnips, radishes and beetroot — are grown for the roots, while their leaves are thrown away or composted. What a shame to…
MISSION — Blog — Svilena Racheva
"A society can exist indefinitely only if it adapts to Nature and does not destroy it." — Sepp Holzer, a pioneer in the field of permaculture.
At Our Stand! — от лехата до устата
Come today to the Roman Wall farmers'' market from 9 to 14h (usually by 12 we have sold everything and left), where the Grown with Love garden will…
A LITTLE PERMA-GARDEN — Blog — Svilena Racheva
"Life in the village is hard" — everyone knows this, which is why the trend is for villages to empty out as locals rush to become city dwellers and seek the easier path.…
IN THE MEDIA — пермакултура — устойчив живот в природата
Over the years, the media''s interest in us and in our choice of lifestyle has not stopped growing. Back when few had heard of permaculture and a sustainable way of life…
ABOUT US — Blog — Svilena Racheva
My name is Svilena Racheva, I am a mother of 5 children, and for 11 years I have been living in Bulgaria again, having lived outside the city since my return from the USA.
On Pickles and Traditions, or What Is This Kimchi!
The new batch of KIMCHI comes tomorrow to "Roman Wall"! Grab your empty jars or containers and I will be waiting for you after 10 o''clock…
2018
CAMPS — Blog — Svilena Racheva
NATURAL ENGLISH LEARNING! WILD CAMP (a forest day-school with English). Suitable for children aged 6 to 12: riding, communicating with the horses and caring for them in…
BOARDING FOR HORSES — Blog — Svilena Racheva
Our extensive pasture is divided into many paddocks fenced with electric tape, which allows your horse to graze freely. We offer subscriptions for natural hoof care…
A Spring Menu — рецепти — Дива кухня
Spring is such a season that, with its arrival — in sync with the new life being born — the natural changes we see everywhere awaken in us the desire to renew and cleanse
ABOUT THE MISSION — Blog — Svilena Racheva
I would like to introduce myself first. My name is Svilena Racheva, I am a mother of 5 children, and since 2008 I have been living in Bulgaria again, having spent all the time
2017
Dedu — the stallion turns 6 today
Dedu Delup, alpha stallion, leader of the herd of the Happy Horses Estate.
Not Exactly Grandma's Cold Frame
In all the yellowed little books — whether for the amateur gardener or the professional vegetable grower — the so-called cold frame is cited as a common method for extending…
PRICES AND SERVICES — Blog — Svilena Racheva
Horse activities and riding lessons take place by appointment. To book — 0888247444, Nikola Miladinov (riding instructor). Riding lessons…
2016
Wild Spring Creamy Salad — от лехата до устата
At this time of year, while we wait for the first lettuces and radishes from the garden, I roam the meadows around and gather whatever edible thing I see, for the first…
Come to Nature — Let Us Create and Be Merry
"Look deep into Nature, and then you will understand everything better!" — Albert Einstein. Our friends — friends of Nature, of children, of horses, of beauty! Here by…
FOR SALE! Geodesic dome-home and horse property
Geodesic dome-home and horse property for sale. Over 100 m2 of living space on a 1950 m2 property, with a sand riding rink and stables for five horses, plus a tack room.
Help Happy Horses — Blog — Svilena Racheva
The other day our jeep burned down. Our own one, the red one. The same one we used to transport the horses in the horse trailer, and the bale platform. Or the timber…
Horse-Riding Course for Actors
Historical films are in fashion again — be ready for the next casting! Add this important skill to your CV! The Happy Horses Estate is proud…
A Ship-Bed — Blog — Svilena Racheva
I want to share with you something beautiful that we created this winter in Sofia. This was to be the second winter our family would spend in…
FAMILY PORTRAITS — Blog — Svilena Racheva
In this post you will find more information about each of our horses individually, along with a short story of how each became part of our family.
We Are Looking for Helpers, We Offer Horse Riding in Exchange
We offer riding lessons for you or your children, in exchange for help in creating and managing the "Happy Horses in Yarema" project. We at Happy Horses have always…
In Radish Season — готвени репички
In my opinion, in Bulgaria we have given radishes a very boring fate. If not for the odd green salad, we probably would not even glance at them. The truth, however,…
2015
KOHLRABI (Brassicaceae) — алелопатия
Planted with onions or beetroot, it grows very well and helps their growth too. A surprisingly good companion for cucumbers, since they draw nutrients…
Alchemy in the Raspberry Workshop
In recent days I had the joy of experimenting in the workshop with making fruit leathers from blueberries and lingonberries. Thanks to a pile of scientific…
AMARANTH (Pigweed) Amaranthus retroflexus
This "weed", found everywhere, is in fact quite useful for loosening the soil, for crops such as carrots, turnips and beetroot. It helps…
ANISE (Pimpinella anisum) — алелопатия
This piquant spice/herb is a relative of dill and caraway. It is used to flavour liquorice, sweets, alcohol and so on. As a tea it helps treat sore throat,…
Aromatic Pumpkin Curry — Рецепта с тиква
An extremely easy, very fragrant and tasty recipe suited to the autumn season. You will need: 2 tbsp butter or ghee, 1 onion, 2 cloves of garlic, 2.5 tbsp…
ARTICHOKE (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus)
The artichoke is in fact a thorny weed that has been cultivated for food! This gourmet vegetable does well planted next to asparagus, sunflower, corn and tarragon.…
ASPARAGUS (Asparagus officinalis)
Parsley planted with asparagus aids the growth of both. They also respond well to basil, which in turn is a wonderful companion for tomatoes. Tomatoes…
SWEET POTATO (Ipomoea batatas)
Sweet potatoes have a very high energy value, exceeded only by beans and peas. They are susceptible to fungal diseases such as root rot.
BUSH BEAN (Phaseolus vulgaris)
All bush varieties do well if there is the occasional celery or celeriac among them — say, 1 for every 6-7 bean plants. It also…
POLE BEAN (Phaseolus) — алелопатия
Summer savory, when grown nearby, improves the flavour of green beans and protects them from pests. The antibiotic properties of onion, garlic, leek, and…
BASIL (Ocimum basilicum) — алелопатия
Basil helps tomatoes cope with pests and diseases, and improves their growth and flavour. Grow it alongside them.
BROCCOLI (Brassica oleracea) — алелопатия
Like all members of the cabbage family, broccoli grows wonderfully in the company of dill, celery, chamomile, sage, mint and rosemary.
BRUSSELS SPROUTS (Brassica oleracea L. var. gemmifera DC)
Like most brassicas, this crop is subject to attack by all sorts of insects. Aromatic herbs such as dill, mint, celery and sage help in the fight against…
WATERMELON (Citrullus vulgaris)
Watermelons, like the other members of the family, are protected from pests by plantings of nasturtium around them. In the planting hole, when you set out the watermelons,…
TOMATO (Lycopersicon esculentum)
Tomatoes and all members of the cabbage family repel one another and need to be kept apart in the garden. They also dislike potatoes and fennel.
Stalk Celery (Apium graveolens)
Celery thrives with leek, tomatoes, cauliflower and cabbage. It and bush beans support each other. It is good to grow celery in a circle, so that its freely…
DANDELION (Taraxacum officinale)
The dandelion loves good, deep soil, like clover and alfalfa. The soil around dandelions is attractive to earthworms, because this plant is…
PEA (Pisum sativum) — алелопатия
Peas grow very well with carrots, turnips, radishes, cucumbers, corn, beans and potatoes, as well as most aromatic herbs.
JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE (Helianthus tuberosus)
Also called the earth apple, it is in fact a kind of sunflower that comes from America, and its underground part was traditionally used as food by Native Americans. It can…
CAULIFLOWER (Brassicaceae) — алелопатия
One of the main pests of cauliflower — the small white cabbage butterfly (Pieris rapae) — can be repelled if celery or stalk celery grows nearby…
POTATO (Solanum tuberosum L) — алелопатия
A good companion for potatoes — improving their flavour and yield while protecting them from the Colorado beetle — is flax.
CHINESE CABBAGE (Brassica chinensis)
This really easy-to-grow vegetable, gaining more and more popularity here, is one of the oldest crops cultivated in China. Planted in the autumn…
Chilli peppers (Capsicum spp.)
The Aztec "chilli," or hot peppers, were known as far back as 700 BC, but their place of origin is still a mystery.
Carrot (Daucus carota) — алелопатия
Onion, leek and herbs such as rosemary, wormwood and sage repel the carrot fly, whose larva often attacks the shoots of young plants.
Benefits for the Child from Horse Riding and Being Around Horses
Why encourage your child to discover the world of horse riding? What child does not love horses? Boys and girls all over the world dream and play at riding…
Plant Guilds, or Allelopathic Interactions Between Plants
Plant guilds are a key concept in permaculture, meaning a group of different plants planted together so that each one performs a certain function…
Celeriac (Apium graveolens rapaceum)
Planting winter vetch before planting celeriac is useful for enriching the soil, so that it is loose and rich in potassium. Leek, which…
BEETROOT (Beta vulgaris) — алелопатия
Beetroot, in all its variations (leaf, sugar, salad and others), thrives next to bush bean and kohlrabi, but does not do well next to climbing bean.
Instead of a Product Catalogue
For our creations we use wild-growing herbs and cultivated raspberries of the Bulgarian variety Lyulin, picked from the Happy Horses Estate plantation in the heart of…
CABBAGE (Brassicaceae) — алелопатия
The family includes cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, kale, collard, kohlrabi, Brussels sprouts, mustard, leaf mustards, even turnip and radishes.
2014
The "Forward to Nature" Agency
In our view, the urban environment — a hub of culture, art and economy — has, through the recent years of industrialisation, gradually lost the charm of the cities of old…
Lyulin Raspberries. A Bulgarian Variety
Here I have copied information from AgroNet about the everbearing raspberry varieties (those that fruit twice a year), and in particular about the Bulgarian variety Lyulin, from
The Rules at the Happy Horses Club/Dome
The time has come for this post too. A few simple rules for our guests at the dome, which over the years have proved necessary to observe. They are simple,…
SEEKING VOLUNTEERS! — Blog — Svilena Racheva
We are Svilena and Nikola + our 6 kids — a family that lives and makes a living in a sustainable way, close to Mother Nature. We own land in one of the most beautiful places in
2013
07.11.2013 — Blog — Svilena Racheva
Good morning from Happy Horses. My dear Smehurko, I want to begin, because the sun is shining strong and warm even though it is November. The air is clear and…
The Idea! — Blog — Svilena Racheva
As most of you know, we live and raise our children in nature, trying to do it in accordance with its laws while also doing the work we love.
How Community Is Made — Blog — Svilena Racheva
Since I have declared to the universe that I will either do things in the best way I know and always give the very best I am capable of, or else not take them on at all…
What Is a Cooperative? — Blog — Svilena Racheva
What follows is rather dry information on what a cooperative really is. We were drawn to the principles and values voted by the International Co-operative Alliance.
Ship's Log, 8.11.2013 — Blog — Svilena Racheva
Good morning, friends. Recently, with friends from the valley, we discussed my favourite topic lately — the early Bulgarians. I would like to recommend the book by Spas…
SHIP''S LOG — Blog — Svilena Racheva
The Happy Horses ship''s log — an interactive, electronic daily journal of the life of the horses and their friends among people.
The Moon in Libra = Flower Power
Today and tomorrow the moon moves through the sign of Libra. As you know, it is an Air sign, which means that this is the best time to sow…
The GARDENER''S LUNAR CALENDAR
Today and over the next two days, the moon is in the constellation Leo. This is a fire sign. It is suitable for sowing and planting fruit-bearing plants. For example: tomatoes.
A Lunar Calendar for the GARDENER 😃
Today and tomorrow the moon is in the constellation Virgo. Virgo is an earth sign. The days are favourable for sowing root vegetables and plants such as carrots, onions, radishes.
We Can Do Something! — Blog — Svilena Racheva
😦 Sadly I can, but do not want to believe it... shame... A very sad video, which I admit I could not even watch to the end, became the reason for…
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