Where are we today? Tuesday 28th February 2012?

I'm pleased that I've been able to get to this stage so the the ground can benefit from the remainder of the wet season.

I am disappointed that I didn't contour the area prior to covering the ground as there is a signifcant slope leading to seepage of all the 'goodies' beneath the mulch. Its not severe but with contouring I'm sure I could have limited seepage. I reckon I'll just have to do more work and retro-fit!

The Lasagne Grows!

1. The horse manure gets spread - both beneath and on top of the hay.
2. Minplus - rock dust is spread to assist the microbes do their good work.
3. More Chicken Poo, as pellets, is spread.
4. Cardboard is layered over areas with grass to cut the light off the little solar panels. eg leaves.
5. 17 cubic meters of mulch is spread over the whole 180 square metres.
6. Self seeded Kent Pumpkin plants are rescued from the compost heap and tucked in to cover the area as we move into developing the final planting plan.

The plantings.

As the owner I have been fortunate to have completed the requirements of a Permaculture Design Certificate so will now develop a plan using that methodology.

However, I am a recent arrival in the tropical climate of Cairns and need to collaborate with my local friends and 'Permaculture Cairns' members who have an idea of the plants for the tropics. So I'll have to invite them over for lunch and get them to comment on my plan and share their ideas for improvement with me.

For their ideas I'll offer them pizzas with a choice of gluten free, vegetarian and of course canivore's delight!

My developing criteria for planting includes:

1. Enhance and build on the streetscape.
2. Take account of neighbours needs to ensure no root invasion by new plants; that plants don't encroach into their gardens and cause unwanted shade etc.
3. Be aware of the powerlines over the verge and make sure no plants grow to a height to be a problem.
4. Plant to provide bountiful tropical fruits, bird attracting plants and those that entice the butterflies.
5. Bush Tucker plants.
6. Some local native grasses for groundcover/under-storey
7. Well-planned and neat edge plantings negotiated with the neighbours.

If it all comes together as planned we should end up with a great "Habitat Garden" that attracts wildlife.

Once a plan is adopted I'll make sure I spend time with my neighbours to gain their comments, make changes where requested and seek their continuing support.

I'll keep you posted!

I CAN HEAR THOSE WORMS BRUCE!!

The lasagne builds and soon to be finished!

The lasagne is not yet complete! We have to spread 'blood and bone' as well as a good sprinkling of chook poo followed by the mineral supplement = Minplus..

At this stage the house and those of the neighbours are enveloped by the rich damp smell similar to the aroma you would find in a very busy stable of a hundred horses! So, on Monday 20th February many cubic meters of shredded tree waste- conventional mulch - will be delivered to be spead, at least 100mm thick over the lot to be the top layer of the Lasagne.

Now its over to the worms! Go girls and boys.

Bruce's suggestions further implemented!

Gathering support from enthusiastic partners the green plant material has been spread and covered with horse manure, then hay - all six rolls - has been spread and covered with horse manure; and to assist the process of attracting the worms a good solid rain occurred immediately this part of Bruce's plan was implemented! More to do!!

So you do what Bruce says:

Good fresh lawn cuttings were gathered from a local park, new storm water drains were installed, and a good load of horse manure was delivered to add to the Lasagne! Can you hear the worms rumbling with anticipation?

Here's the Muddy Mess!

Having now got to this stage I then called upon my local Permaculture 'Guru" for advice! And the advice from Bruce, pictured above, was:
- spread lots of lawn clippings (worm food, Hay,horse manure,chook manure, minplus rock dust, blood and bone and mulch. That should do the trick. Bruce reckons we needed to build a big Lasagne!

What did we do next?

After everything was removed we were left with a big muddy mess! Mounds as part of the previous landscaping in the seventies were taken as were the roots and remains of all the trees.

What did we do?

The first job was to cut down all the growth. It was mulched and then used to mulch all the plantings around the swimming pool.

A large 'pony tail palm' was the lone survivor - just too majestic to remove!

What did we have at the beginning?

The original front garden was established soon after the house was built in the late 1970's. It no longer satisfied the owner's plans and also gave too much emphasis to cars by having vehicle access to the uphill side of the house which took up good planting space!

The rear of the house backs on to a park and provides the owner with good recreation through provsion of a swimming pool, shade house, workshop and raised garden beds. This area at the rear of the house needs no further development.