The Pumpkins are taking over......

I'm still planning the final plantings but just love how my temporary plants - pumpkins, are justr loving it!

Swales are working!

On a day of heavy rain you can see them holding the water back - for a while anyway!

Fungi

FROM:
http://www.fungibank.csiro.au/topic_3_2_4.htm

"What happens if fungi are not present in revegetation soils?

The diverse and unique array of symbiotic and decomposer soil fungi in Australia’s native woodlands play a large role in the woodlands - preventing rundown in soil nutrient supply and ensuring sustainability of soil nutrient cycling processes.

Absence of fungi in woodland revegetation soils may correspond with increased risk of:
Rundown in plant available nutrients in the soil.
Loss of plant vigour.
Loss of soil quality.
Inadequate food supply for some small mammals.
Low levels of biodiversity.

If soil diversity and processes similar to those of natural woodlands are not establishing then management of productivity in revegetation for the long term may be reliant upon inputs of fertilizer. The landscapes may have decreasing prospects of sustainable agricultural productivity. The financial and environmental cost of artificially maintaining productivity of land may climb with time. The high cost of upholding productivity artificially is increasingly turning attention to an economic preference for re-establishing the natural ecosystem services and functions in revegetation."


Check out the images above illustrating the fungi invasion of my garden! It amazes me that it all happens overnight and then they are gone by 10:00 AM - only to cover the area again the next morning!

Retro fitting swales!

I was pleased with the Lasagne until it rained! It became clear that once the mulch, straw, manure and green waste had become saturated with rain then the water began to move! As the Wet Season descended on us the rain caused the water to seep, with all its soil regenerating goodness, from under the lowest point - near the letterbox - and then down the road!

Action was then needed. Checked out Bill Mollison's book and then went about installing swales.

I made up a frame to get the contour levels correct. I was surprised how easy this was. This technique was demonstrated at my Permaculture Design Certificate course. All I had to do was pivot it from end to end and find the next point where my spirit level said it was level! (Alternatively I could have had a plumb bob hanging by string from the top and locating with a mark on the base board that indicated it was level) By doing this the two trenches I made are level and hence store the water rather than have it run one way or the other. (In one image you can see the trench filling as I was forming it.)

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!!