Welcome to our young permaculture garden with over 250 edible
and useful plants. All garden beds are "no-dig"
similar to Ester Deans method as layers paper/cardboard/ grass
or spoiled straw and compost pockets with plants in them.
We use our own domestic waste (all paper, kitchen waste, laundry
grey water, garden ‘waste’, vacuum cleaning dust, rags,
used cotton and coir) We also use some neighbour’s
garden waste. Cypress pine chip is used to cover carpet
on paths, the carpet is relocated once the grass dies off and
re-used again and again. No pesticides, fungicides or herbicides
are used and no harsh chemicals are used in the home.
We use different mulches in various stages of decay for different
purposes. Hot, fresh grass clippings are good for edges
of garden beds, composted grass is ideal for spot mulching around
young trees, Spoiled straw is best in areas that may contain self-seeded
plants that we want to encourage because it is light and airy
and nurtures seeds. Decayed mulch (good black compost) is
rare and applied to pots and seedlings. In permaculture
we aim to protect the soil from erosion so mulch is essential.
We are now building up a good supply of edible or useful living
mulch. Living mulch never decays or blows away, it also
suppresses weeds by absorbing as well as blocking the light rays
that ‘weed’ seeds need to germinate. We use clover
on the driveway to catch dust and improve soil. Sweet potatoe
goes directly in mulch and is our year round supply of greens
and seasons tubers. Other encouraged ground covers include
native violets, native wandering jew, warrigal greens, thyme,
yarrow, and some variegated mint. Liquid manure is made from any
infected or mouldy summer fruit, Noxious Weeds such as Madiera
Vine are fed to chickens or the worm farm. Others such as
the Jasmine were suppressed with cardboard or carpet. Worms
are fed to chickens, worm castings are tonic for young seedlings
and cuttings. Blue tongue Lizards and Ducks control snails
and slugs and fertilise the garden. Chickens eat kitchen
scraps and clear grasses. Chickens also attack snakes deterring
them from Wood stacks and stick piles. Sticks are allowed
to dry rot then are used as mulch. Branches are used as
fuel for heater, edges for no dig beds and to protect young plants
from wayward hens of trampling ducks. Prickly stick-piles
such as lantana have protected poultry from roaming dogs.
Old bricks, and rocks found on site are also good mulch, attracting
and holding moisture and supplying minerals. Old rusty metal
is buried near citrus. The guinea pig "whipper"
does a great job on lawn edges. Rain water is harvested
from house (to tank and garden), front garden, driveway, poultry
house. Garden beds are positioned within the natural shape
of the site to direct, catch and hold rain water. The whole
garden is designed to imitate nature and use natural energies
(e.g. gravity, sun, wind). Boundary plants act to filter
air (air quality indicators such as lichens have increased).
Native plants and ponds are incorporated to shelter wildlife and
increase diversity within the garden. Beneficial insects
and amphibians are also encouraged by ponds and flowering plants.
Plants are allowed to die back and set seed. A few species
(currently kralowa tomatoe, Basella Rubra, Dragon Fruit) are rare
and part of a protection program through seed-savers Australia.
Thankyou for your interest and taking care in our garden,
The Kelly Family.