Transition Darebin

Permablitz #89 in conjunction with Transition Darebin and Permaculture Inner North

31 May, 2010 at 12:44 pm transitiondarebin Leave a comment

Short days, cool weather and a forecast for rain can’t keep keen blitzers indoors. Where there’s a yard to make over, they’re there in spades. Or is that shovels? That was just one of life’s more enduring questions to be debated on Saturday 29th May in Damian’s front yard as its gentle slope was engineered into swales to feed a future orchard. In between chai breaks and a hot vegie feast, an old bath tub was converted into a frog bog, surrounded by relocated rocks and plants, and a new ‘plucking garden’ laid out next to the back door.

There aren’t many social occasions where the guests are asked to bring a plate of rotting food. In this case the bounty of past-it produce went into the compost pile along with a healthy helping of manure, leaves, straw and grass. Paul the compost connoisseur demonstrated the Berkeley hot compost method, the result of which Damian will be able to spread on his new garden in a matter of weeks.

Pre-swales: Maximum run-off

Water catchment for yet-to-be planted fruit trees

You can also see the whole day unfold on YouTube.

Thanks to everyone who dug, mulched and weeded. See you at the next blitz!

If you are a Darebin resident who has a balcony, courtyard, back or front garden ready to be transformed into an edible oasis, simply lend a hand at 3 blitzes then get in touch with Transition Darebin! Find blitzes happening near you at www.permablitz.net.

Entry filed under: Food, Garden/Permaculture, Past Events, Reskilling. Tags: compost, permaculture, sustainable food.