Hi, I have just joined this network. I have been reading about Permaculture for a month and I have to say that it is a bit addictive! I am a learner by nature and Permaculture has so much to learn about. I have just moved the family to the Hunter Valley because of work and have been blessed with 3 acres of land to play with. I just don't know where to start. I will try and post some photos if that is possible because I would love guidance and advice.
Welcome TrevNorman R U Building as well?! Purple Pear is in the Hunter Might be a good place to start.
Welcome Trev a good start is a compost heap , you will never have enough organic material ready to use .
Purple Pear I second the suggestion that you check out Purple Pear. Mark and Kate can set you on the right path.
No, not building. We have the house and pretty much a blank slate to play with. I will check out Purple Pear, thank you. I will also start on composting. I have been collecting kitchen scraps and mixing with "browns" as well as some of the neighbors horse manure. Just not sure about the "recipe" but will keep reading and experimenting.
Trev, I say start with a nursery. Grow as many of the useful permaculture plants as you can. It is amazing how many plants you need. Cuttings, Cuttings and more cuttings. Grow some trees from seeds also, perennials of all kinds I wish I started a nursery first. Grahame
Come next Saturday Trev. We have a Moving Planet day planned with all sort of activities through Transition Town - Maitland and garden tours and lots more (I hope) https://www.moving-planet.org/events/au/maitland/611
A nursery!? A nursery sounds pretty intense, are you talking about a bought one or a build your own? I hope to get chooks soon so have to also build the chook house.
Trev, all I mean by a nursery is any place you can start your own collection of plants and seedlings. A big table under a tree, an elaborate shade house, a glasshouse, however it works best for you and with what ever budget you have. My point is that you will need a lot of plants of all different types. Find yourself a list of useful plants (Bill Mollison has a good list in his books to get you started). Even if you just got a whole bunch of legume trees going.
Did Trev ever make it? Not sure but we do have a PDC coming up and I think he would do wonders after it. A ten minute drive through Maitland Vale!
Well,.... I am still reading! about permaculture that is. I have made some progress, mainly in the planning stages. Unfortunately I have 4 kids, wife at Uni and I am working full time. I haven't had the time I wanted to really get in and get some action happening. I was thinking of starting a thread showing my (empty) landscape as 'before' pictures. THe problem is the 'after' pictures might take 6 months to show! I would still love to come and visit you sometime, however a PDC course is out of the question because of time constraints. But thank you for the invitation.