I seem to have fallen off the blogging horse lately…well it’s time to get back on and give an update on the dam restoration project.
A month ago I posted an entry ‘there’s a dam in there somewhere’ highlighting the poor state of the dam on our property, totally overgrown with cumbungi and my plans to turn things around.
Soon after that post, I sent in the Gareth the Excavator to sort things out. He and his machine did a great job in clearing out the weed and years of accumulated mud.
Looking West (before excavation, soon after and today)
Nov 2
Nov 22
Dec 14
Looking East (before excavation, soon after and today)
Nov 2
Nov 22
Dec 14
Although it’s not clear in the above photos, I have starting mulching and planting out the banks of the dam.
It’s quite a task, but I have made a start.
Yesterday I replanted about 50 rushes (Juncus) that I rescued from the dam just prior to the excavator arriving. I’m feeling a bit good about that.
Tags: dam, weeds
Posted in dam, weeds | 2 Comments »
They may not be as sexy as some annuals, however perennial food plants make a whole lot of sense & they really help with putting the ‘perma’ in permaculture.
I’ve started assembling good information resources on these plants and hope to gradually accumulate perennials and incorporate them in the permaculture landscape that I am hoping to develop here.
I have found the following books to be a great starting point
Not every plant will be available in Australia or necessarily suited to the sub-tropical Brisbane climate but a great deal are.
At this stage I’ve planted asparagus, arrowroot, yacon, cassava, pigeon pea, edible bamboos and sorrel.
I’ve only just started putting together a perennial wish list – Jerusalem artichokes, chokos, yam, taro are all obvious contenders.
I’d be interested in hearing what you rate as your favourite or most valued perennial.
Tags: perennial, permaculture
Posted in permaculture plants | 9 Comments »
The next major project here is to start clearing out the dam.
As the following photos bear witness, it has been completely taken over by Cumbungi Orientalis, an invasive native weed.
Actually Cumbungi (or Typha) is a very interesting plant and has a number of positive permaculture qualities. However, in shallow water, it can get completely out of hand.
The plan is to get in a small digger to remove the cumbungi from the deeper part of the dam, as well as a metre or two of accumulated sludge. Cumbungi can’t grow when the water depth is more than a metre.
The other strategy is too then plant out the northern and eastern sides with tall native trees & shrubs to shade the dam. Cumbungi also hates shade.
I am happy for a limited amount of cumbungi to grow on the inflow side of the dam as the plant actually helps clean water by retaining sediment as it passes through.
The end result will hopefully look more like the adjacent dam next door (final photo).
Tags: dam, weeds
Posted in dam | 2 Comments »
patiently waiting for the first drops
Monday (26th), the mini-drought in Brisbane did break, 53mm of delicious rain fell here and we’ve been able to throw away the chlorophyll-tinted glasses we had all taken to wearing.
Great news…..but of course rain never falls in an egalitarian fashion with places like Rockhampton still desperate for a good fall – can’t be too far away Rolley!
October 24
October 30
October 24
October 30
October 24
October 30
Tags: comfrey, frogs, lemongrass
Posted in weather | 7 Comments »
After the disappointment of a couple more storms that failed to eventualise over the weekend, it seems that Brisbane’s four month mini-drought is set to finally end today.
The bureau is forecasting significant rain – it’s just a waiting game now.
So as the rain-gauge said to the cloud this morning….Bring it on!!
Tags: Brisbane, rain, weather
Posted in weather | 6 Comments »
