Hello.good evening and welcome!

[ged.medland]

Hi Hedgewizard!
I welcome your comments and have to say that I am not a highly theoretical person myself.I find that permaculture principles work for me in my life and on my microholding aka,my garden.It is important that everybody works what is best for them given time,space,commitment etc.
This is important wether its a window box or a'lottie or two!I look forward to learning,sharing and discussing with as many forum members as possible.I was once told'don't tell me what your'e going to do,come back and tell me what you have done!I have tried to practise this advice in my life's journey,sometimes I have failed despite best intentions,but the successes far outwiegh the setbacks.It is always easier to cater for one individual rather than a family with multi tastes and applications,for me the concept of permaculture fits me to a tee,I always keep an open mind.
Every good wish in and on your path.

[hedgewitch]

Hello ged and welcome to the forum

[Wombat]

G'Day Ged,

I am interested in permaculture on a backyard level too..........what is the chance of you putting some words together about your experiences with it, what worked, what didn't etc.?

Nev

[hedgewizard]

'don't tell me what your'e going to do,come back and tell me what you have done!'

I likes that, I does! A shame Toni's permaculture tutor hadn't read that, as he's done bugger all with his 3 acres apart from get students to make plans on paper for him.

Looking forward to hearing what you've got to say on the topic - the only really "permaculture" thing we've done is sheet mulching potatoes straight into lawn; the books don't tell you that badgers will rip sheet mulch up to look for slugs!

[ged.medland]

Hi Nev,
be glad to put down my experiences,successes and failures!Will put some words down at the weekend,is that ok?

Hi Hedgewizard!
thanks for your reply,books are only here to advise on principle,the practical outworking is always more of a learning curve,2 pieces of adjacent land can and will have different eco climates!Draw Draw = Yawn yawn in my humble experience!Do you think the badgers read the book first?LOL.Too many chiefs these days,too many 'experts',too much 'accreditation' for almost every walk of life!Man and his mate have existed for thousands of years by adaptability to surroundings,we still have our adaptability,we still have our surroundings,today it MATTERS what we do with our assets based on family/individual needs.
atb
ged

[Millymollymandy]

I don't even know what permaculture is but from reading these posts it doesn't really sound like anyone else does either! ???

[Wombat]

Thanks Ged, that would be great.

Yeah in my experience, the principles are sound, the difficulty comes in the application. All the same, we can learn by sharing our expeiences.

Nev

[ged.medland]

Hi All,
as there seems to be some interest in this subject,I can sum up what permaculture really is in one sentence.'Permaculture' is sustainable living,working alongside nature within renewable resources!Hope that helps to clarify the situ.It is not a fad,it is nearly 30 years in the practicing,there are permaculture sustainable working communities across the world.Some people choose a label in life,I chose to be 'a permie'It is not something that is instantly achieved,though the decision to embrace permaculture can be almost 'an overnight' action.Most of us want to see results for our labours whatever they maybe,with permaculture the results take some time to manifest,but manifest they do!
It is not only about gardening,it is about a way of life that works for me and many others.
I hope the above helps somewhat,I will be highlighting my experiences from the past 2 years this weekend online if anyone cares to read,they are most welcome
atb
ged 8)

[Andy Hamilton]

,I will be highlighting my experiences from the past 2 years this weekend online if anyone cares to read,they are most welcome

Where online mate?

[ged.medland]

Hi Andy,
I will be posting on self sufficientish of course.I should have clarified that.It was a request from Wombat,so I thought I would oblige!Maybe by reading my own words I will learn something myself!LOL 8)
Great site BTW!20 out of 10!
atb

[Millymollymandy]

Look forward to it!

[ged.medland]

Hi one and all.Apologies for non appearance of permie post.I typed it all out last night,pressed submit and it just disappeared!Should have made a copy and paste job!I have a hectic day today,but will do it again this evening.There are no miracle 'fixes' just a lot of common sense and best use of space really.Hope you all have a great day!

[Shirley]

looking forward to it Ged....

Isn't it so frustrating when you lose a long post - I keep telling myself that I should do it in 'word' first and then copy/paste like you said.

[Millymollymandy]

Oh that's happened to me many a time - especially when my internet connection keeps cutting out. What I do now is copy what I have typed just before posting it - so if I get the page expired page then I just have to paste my message back into a reply box again when I get back on the site.

[Boots]

Hi Ged - not sure when this thread started, but have only just spotted it.

Welcome to the site, from another permie!!!! This is Aus calling in.

...Must say I am surprised Nev is not also a permie, and many on this site for that matter... many of their methods led me to think they were! Funny, I guess it just never came up before.

For those interested, Permaculture is about creating permanent agriculture. It is about working with the earth to encourage ongoing growth and permanency of our environment. We do not plant for next month... we plant for the next generation. (Obviously, things like vegies are a little more short term, but through those plantings there is always a view to the future...as in what we are taking from/giving the soil, how the plant compliments others, and how it can be reproduced via seed collection to contribute to ongoing growth...that kind of thing.

We have a lot of systems....Water systems, compost systems, recycling systems, rotation systems...that all contribute the larger system...life (our growing environment). Rain fall, wind, light, natural insulation...all these things form part of our growing environment - so we respond to them conservatively. By introducing or reproducing natural water collection, wind breaks, shelters, contours etc. We raise our own meats, but we do not just raise for the table...there is a reproductive process that also exists within our systems.

I have shared before on what my farm produces...milk, eggs, meats, fruit, vegies, fish... These are all part of a stack of systems that support each other. Intensive livestock farming creates gardens here (on soil that is only good for bricks ) Without them, I couldn't grow. I have no town water supply, so how we use the rain is pretty important - it is used for stock and irrigation systems, aquaculture system, household system and sewerage system.

That's enough from me...supposed to be working, but hope that gives others a little insight. Folks will probably find much of what you are already doing is contributing to your own permanent agriculture. Getting together with others is always good though...usually leads to some fantastic brainstorming and often saves a few mistakes.

Oh, and I don't draw pictures... I just do it.

Welcome again, Ged.