Author: Elle Meager

Elle, the founder and visionary behind Outdoor Happens, is a seasoned horticulturist with over 25 years of hands-on experience. She's not just any gardener; she's a plant whisperer who ran her own nursery specializing in edible plants and fruit trees. With 15 years in permaculture design, she's transformed spaces from local schools to restaurants, promoting sustainable living and healthy eating.

Her work has caught the eye of major media outlets like Bob Vila, NBC News, The Washington Post, and more. She's a proud member of PINA, the Organic Farmer's Association, and the American Horticultural Society. But she doesn't just keep her wisdom stateside; she's a global green thumb, having worked on organic farms from Spain to Australia, revitalizing lands and designing self-sustaining ecosystems.

Whether it's turning a depleted Spanish farm into a permaculture paradise or setting up a biodynamic farm in Holland, Elle's mission is to make the world a greener, more sustainable place. She's a qualified permaculture teacher with diplomas in horticulture and naturopathy, and her passions range from herbalism and fermentation to animal husbandry and beyond. Elle lives the life she preaches, residing on a farm teeming with vegetable gardens, food forests, cows, sheep, horses, and chickens.

  • Broccoli Turning Purple? Blame It On Anthocyanin

    If you notice your broccoli turning purple, don’t panic! This is common during colder weather, especially when the soil is deficient in nutrients like phosphorus or nitrogen. The purple color is caused by a release of anthocyanin, a pigment that…

  • Help! Why Are My Cucumbers Prickly? [Hint: It’s Normal!]

    When you’re used to the smooth-skinned cucumbers from the grocery store, you may be wondering why your cucumbers are prickly when you grow them yourself. Don’t worry – it’s very common, and normal, for cucumbers to develop prickly skin. It…

  • How to Make Butter From Raw Milk Step-by-Step

    Making butter from raw milk is simple and satisfying, and we’ll show you how to do it at home! Raw milk butter is a great way to use excess raw milk, producing a delicious and wholesome product. Butter has been…

  • How Far Apart to Plant Fruit Trees [7+ Fruit Tree Spacing Tips]

    Whether you’ve got a small backyard food garden or several acres of real estate to play with, the temptation is always to cram in as many edible crops as possible! But when it comes to fruit trees, how many can…

  • 8 Most Profitable Farming Animals | 2025 USA Smart Farmer’s Guide

    Let’s brainstorm the eight most profitable farming animals for 2025! Because meat, eggs, honey, milk, fur, wool, and leather matter – and have enjoyed a historically high demand worldwide. That’s why raising livestock has been an effective revenue generation method…