Permablitz 24: Sunbury Episode 2

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Published on Wednesday, 18 July 2007 23:37

Written by Paul

DESCRIPTION OF THE DAY FROM DAWNY (the host)
I want to start with a huge thankyou for the wonderful day and all that has been achieved!
During stage two:  On a rain affected day, we began with morning tea and an overview of what we had achieved at Episode 1 of the Sunbury blitz (eg. herb spiral, swales, no-dig garden, tanks hooked up, Nitrogen fixing trees planted), and what we hoped to finish off on the day.  THen the work began: The two swales were deepened and levelled out to catch rainwater on the hill and direct it into the soil.  Wood chips (free from the Council), were placed into the swales to create water catching paths that look great!  A variety of flowers and grasses were planted around the pond and after much discussion the pond was lined with plastic and rocks.  We filled it with harvested rainwater and...

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SUS Fest 2007

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Published on Friday, 20 July 2007 02:32

Written by dan

SUS Fest 2007 is a slow & progressive sustainable culture festival in the Otways. Starting in August, with a full two weeks of events & activities, extends to November 2007.
Events include:
*** Diversity Day *** Fungi & Bushfoods ***PermaBlitzes!***
*** Soil & composting workshop **Introduction to Permaculture***
***“PowerUp4 the PowerDown” early morning energy sessions***
*Jam nites (Yoga, music, dance, art, food!) *Local community market*
***Water & Aquaculture workshops **Whole farm planning day***
**Schools & Community Gardens Day **Sustainable Communities**
***Otways PDC (Permaculture Design Certificate Course) Aug 12-24***
***ESD Building *** Advanced Permaculture Design***
***Heritage Fruit tree Grafting ***Rare & Exotic Fruits workshop***

Bookings are essential, as numbers are limited. visit http://www.sustainableculture.net.au or contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Permablitz 23: Episode 1 (June 24)

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Published on Thursday, 28 June 2007 19:36

Written by Paul

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Permablitz 22 on Sunday May 20 - Description of the day from host Kim

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Published on Tuesday, 22 May 2007 03:39

Written by dan

‘Permablitz’ – it sounds like one of my frightening hairdressing experiences of the 1970’s – but no, thankfully it was a thoroughly enjoyable and productive day implementing some of the permaculture design at our suburban garden in Heathmont.

It was a perfect day to be in the garden after several days of ‘nectar from the Gods’ (rain!).  Approximately 12 lovely people turned up with energy and a humbling desire to help.

With a modest input of  food .. the output was amazing –

• Clearing an area of agapanthus and stubborn pittosporum stumps for a Zone 5 Native Garden area.  The first grevilleas and brachycomes were planted into a luscious bed of earthworm castings.
• The building-up of a raised intensive veggie bed (behind a rock wall) in Zone One, with layers of autumn leaves, horse poo, straw and topped with compost.  I’ll be sowing lettuces, spinach, alyssum, radishes, rocket and peas this week!
• Evening-out 3 swales (which were dug earlier) in the soon-to-be-Orchard Area.  Water has been collecting there in the last few weeks, turning the moonscape into an adventure playground for frogs and lizards.  I LOVE swales.
• Planting of comfrey cuttings at the base of the swale mounds to provide anchorage, mine the minerals from deep in the soil and provide active material for the compost.
• Clearing some near-dead azaleas and a rampant jasmine from an area around the washing line in preparation for the planting of herbs, dwarf citrus and flowers.  For now, barley and lupins are conditioning the soil (without fanfare and with very little water).

I could go on .. but you get the picture, I’m sure.

THANK YOU, especially to Dan and Carey.  Also Paul, Nathan, Paul, Clarice, Jess, Jason and ?

Can I adopt you all?

If not, how about we get together again soon to continue changing the world, one garden at a time.
Kim.

Permablitz Numero Deis-y-Ocho April 29 2007 - A Description of the Day from host Michelle

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Published on Wednesday, 16 May 2007 15:47

Written by dan

Eight hardworking permablitzers, and a dog called Jessie, ventured into Windsor on a rainy Sunday to help us blitz our courtyard. They brought a bunch of goodies including Tamara’s big tins of saved dill and parsley seed and various cuttings of mints, strawberries and more. As the rain fell gently down, we pulled up about three-square metres of (very heavy) concrete pavers to reveal a mess of building rubble and builders sand. Undeterred we dug a good lot of it out , lay down some newspaper, and filled it all in with fresh compost, made in Andy and Michele’s new compost bay over the past few weeks. In went a pink pond (bathtub) surrounded by rocks and some sedge and flax lilies. Into the tub went azolla, with vietnamese mint and watercress in pots. A path was laid through the middle of the bed and we planted it out with various goodies, including broad beans, rocket, mint, yarrow, and strawberry cuttings. The whole thing was finished off with sprinklings of  Tamara’s dill and parsley, and finally nasturium seeds and assorted other flower seeds to attract beneficial insects. Along the way we pulled up a Silver Birch that Sam took away for her garden, along with the builder’s sand, which she plans to use for the base of a fish tank. Much eating and drinking was done. Jessie, and Andy and Michele's dogs Shorty and Luna, looked on bemused. Paul and Barbara attacked the snake vine against the west wall with gusto and Tamara proved a dab hand with the crow-bar. We also planted out some seedling trays with various herbs, veggies and lettuces for the next blitz. Thanks Shelley, Tamara, Shyoko, Anne, Sam, Barbara, Paul, and John. It was a damn fine permablitz.