Woo hoo!!!
After a fab time in Invercargill, I have returned inspired.
I visited my Uncle B and his wife, Aunty R.
They have an acre and are totally organic.
I thought I was good in regards to recycling, but I have nothing on these guys.
Aunty R has a degree in Permaculture. We talked about things and she is going to design/lanscape our land for us. I got really excited and inspired talking to her.
Permaculture is all about making the land work for you. As we are totally on a hill, we need to swale which is like making little terraces and having a widdle gutter for the water so it doesn’t go right to the bottom of the hill, but stays ON the hill. (Hope that makes sense)
She gave me some cuttings and some oyster mushroom spores. I thought a good homeschooling project would be growing mushrooms.
I went out today and bought some veges to plant. I have a widdle area cordoned off, but will only plant a couple of things to see if the animals can stay out.
I am so looking forward to summer. Mr S and I have been discussing what we want to do.
On the inside front, now I have decluttered, I am turning my attention to finishing the kitchen. I can not secure the painter as she is really busy right now so might just do it myself. I have bought some contact to line the shelves in the cupboard and am thinking I will try my hand at tiling.
It feels good to have a plan.
I’m exhausted after reading that.
By: Anja on August 20, 2008
at 1:19 pm
WOW you diod alot!
By: kaylee2 on August 20, 2008
at 1:34 pm
*snore….!*
I’m exhausted too after just reading htat lot. Might be a while before I make it back up your way…. just in case I get roped into one these projects
By: scrappydo on August 20, 2008
at 2:08 pm
That sounds exciting, WS!
Good luck with the mushie spores, they’ll be a yummy addition to the menu
By: Jayne on August 20, 2008
at 3:46 pm
A plan does help methinks!
Good luck with it all!
By: Bettina on August 20, 2008
at 4:57 pm
Ooo! I love Oyster Mushrooms and have never eaten them fresh (just from the supermarket i.e. not fresh lol).
You have to let me know if they are hard to grow.
By: Lee on August 20, 2008
at 7:15 pm
I love permaculture. I have folders full of information on how and why etc. Unfortunately I don’t have the space to actually do much of it, a mini hedge of parsley hardly counts, but if I ever have enough space and a landlord who doesn’t mind if I dig up the entire yard, I’ll be in permaculture heaven. See you there.
By: river on August 20, 2008
at 10:31 pm
Anja, Kaylee and Bettina ~ And that was all done before I saved the world… lol
Kelly ~ But I have a list of things for you to do…. You HAVE to visit.
Jayne and Lee ~ Will keep you posted. It is meant to be relatively easy to grow.
River ~ Would love any hints you could offer.
By: widdleshamrock on August 21, 2008
at 9:27 am
Just ask the questions and I’ll consult the folders and see what answers I can come up with. Swales would be a good start seeing as how you’re on a hill. Water follows the laws of gravity so keep that in mind when planting. Things that need less water go on the higher side of a swale or terrace, plants that need more water go on the lower side where the water will accumulate to be used by them. Organic mulches to build up the soil is also good. Lots of well rotted animal manures , compost and “green crop” mulches. This is where you grow green stuff purely for the purpose of chopping it down and digging it in to feed the soil. Must be done a few weeks before planting though because as the greens rot they can leach nutrients from the soil. Unless I’ve got my information mixed up.
By: river on August 21, 2008
at 10:56 pm