Today's idea

In my garden, I currently have two 240L compost bins and a worm swag, a big bag to hang from a branch or similar (although in the picture here it is attached to a stand), with a sturdy round rim and then a large canvas bag hanging below with an opening at the bottom where liquid can drain out and where you can get the castings from. (In case you're interested in getting one, I bought the worm swag from Wormtec).

I've been meaning to do something about the fact that I'm not using the worm tea at all, as it is just draining out on the ground. I was thinking I could put a bucket underneath to gather it up (as in the photo above), but there is not that much liquid and most of it would probably just evaporate in the sun unless I go get the bucket several times a day.

My idea: place the worm swag over one of the bins, so that the liquid can drain directly down in the compost bin, thus helping to speed up the magic taking place down there.

So far, I'm not getting really great castings yet - there is paper mixed in when I gather it from the bottom of the swag. Perhaps they moved on to 'better pastures' further up in the bag and left the bedding before it was eaten... Perhaps I need to turn things over more inside the swag? We'll see - I've only been using it for two months or so, and the worms seem happy enough. I will try to add a handful or two of castings to a bucket and stir up with water and use this to water the plants. There are enough castings in there that it should make for a good nutritious mixture for the seedlings.

Let there be life!

Soon after arriving in Oz, I started looking for permaculture events, resources, etc in the area, and came across this article in the local paper about permies on the coast growing food in their backyards. I got in touch and only a few days after attended the first permablitz on the Gold Coast, along with an excellent group of permies. This was back in July.

The next blitz was held at our place in early September, and lots of people helped with ideas, materials and seedlings, and at the end of the day our garden sported a mandala (see photos below) as well as the outlines in white spray paint of many yet-to-be made beds throughout the rest of our backyard.

Since then I've been watering daily (oh how I wish I would stop procrastinating and just put in some water tanks!) and green little miracles are sprouting all over the place. A number of meals have already been accompanied by delicious, crunchy, tasty greens from the garden.

One problem I have now is that I don't know what they all are. Many of the seedlings were planted along with their little tags, and a few others I recognize, but there are quite a few plants I cannot remember or never knew in the first place. I'll do a separate post with photos and have a 'name that plant' quiz (if anyone else is reading this... :)

Sprouts

Hi there... If you're reading this and you're not me, you're either

a) lost, or
b) for some curious reason, you find my observations interesting or useful

If it's the former, good luck and happy digital travels. Otherwise, if you're going to hang round for a bit, let me say just a few words about the point of this blog:

For now, I'm mostly writing this blog for myself - I am no authority on any of the subjects I expect to touch on. Rather, this is writing as a learning tool. It helps me figure things out and remember for later. If you do find it of value, then that's great, but I'm not making any promises with regards to quality, quantity or regularity in my blogging.

I have no formal training in permaculture, but hope to learn. I don't really have time to go and do a PDC, as I'm looking after my youngest child at home. Anyway, I'm sure - or at least I hope - that you can learn lots without doing all the formal training. I expect that's how Bill Mollison started out too, hey?

So far, I find I am learning a lot just through practical hands-on work designing my garden and water harvesting systems at home and using the excellent discussion forum at permaculture.org.au.

In my next post, I'll describe what we've achieved so far in our little piece of paradise.

PS - I switch between "I" and "we", and should perhaps explain: originally, my wife did all the gardening, while I was only good for digging and otherwise paid little attention. However, I've since become quite obsessed, coming to permaculture sometime last year through an interest in environmental issues and sustainability. These days I'm the one who's pushing for more than just a traditional garden, while my wife is patiently and generously accepting all my whims, "as long as we can have sunflowers and it all doesn't look too messy". She's also quite keen on the idea of producing yummy foods!