to the future!

Salutations to the visitors of this humble blog!

This blog was initially setup as per a course requirement of my studies. As a result it has not been maintained. However I have begun a new blog following on from this site at I Like Beans for those interested.

the sowing and the plan

Until now each growing season of the past three years have been chances to experiment with various crops in a mix of conditions. I would like to think that I now have a reasonable understanding of the space I am working with and what to grow where. Since the beginning of Autumn (early March) I have been preparing the next phase of the garden.

I sowed a range of seeds; broccoli, leeks, celery, brussels sprouts, cabbage and lettuce (see my prior post for details on varieties used) which have mostly matured to a reasonable size for transplant. Unfortunately I haven't an appropriate space for propagation, relying on table space in the open of the back yard. However despite the less than ideal conditions, the seedlings continue to grow in time for the Autumn/Winter crop rotation. It is in my plans to construct an enclosed propagation space (green house) mid year to increase production.

As could be seen in the last update, the pictures showed the state of the garden post Spring/Summer harvest. I am somewhat embarrassed that it was in such a mess, however over the past week I have cleared most of the pots/plots and started sowing the mature seedlings and direct sown seeds.

Out the front there isn't a great deal of sun over winter so I have planted crops which should be OK without direct sun and can grow over a longer period.

In the main plot I have direct sown snow peas, green peas, parsnips, beetroot, spinach and carrots around some broccoli seedlings. It is a very dense planting scheme however I am hoping it takes advantage of the space by producing different crops over the season which will be harvested at different times. The spinach should crop quickly then allowing the root crops to fill out a bit more. The peas, carrots and broccoli should be next to harvest followed by the beetroot and lastly the parsnips which could take some time (into Spring).

In the smaller bed I have sown golden podded peas, Chinese broccoli and more carrots. Once germination occurs of the directly sown seed I will apply mulch and rig up supports for the pea crops to climb up. Normally I would have sown a green manure crop before planting out, however on inspection of the soil I decided it wasn't necessary. I may get a chance to do so before spring crops which will be heavier feeders. Instead I applied a slow release fertiliser at a rate of 50g/m2.

Out back I have tried to clear up the mess that seems to always occur at the end of the season. This involved clearing all the plants which had stopped producing (tomatoes, zucchini, capsicums, and lettuce), collecting material for the compost and organising seedlings. I decided to keep the last of the tomatoes going as they still seem to be doing well and producing fruit - whether it will ripen before it gets too cold is somewhat doubtful - and given that I've not anything to replace them with just yet, they will live a little longer.

In the areas where I do have free I have directly sown a mix of quick crops (spinach, arugula) as well as onions and beetroot. It is a somewhat haphazard approach, but it should work out as the rest of my seedlings mature and are ready for transplant. I also had a large amount of seed sitting around which I wanted to use up. Currently I am focussed on the bigger project(s) of reorganising the existing trees, building more garden beds and general clear up/rearrangement. Part of this involves replacing unproductive trees/plants to really make the garden as productive as possible.

In my sights is the olive tree which does produce fruit, albeit rather small and not in great number. It was an opportunistic purchase by my mother years ago at a supermarket. I'm not a fan of olives, however I do like the trees so I have decided to replace it with a new variety which will hopefully produce a decent harvest. After reviewing the available specimens from The Diggers Club, I settled on Olea europaea 'Manzanillo' for it's high productivity and fruit qualities. At full size it is a very large tree (5mx4m) but like the current tree it will be grown in a container and kept to a manageable size.

Ficus carica ''Brown Turkey' 

Last winter we bought a quince Cydonia oblonga 'Smyrna' bare rooted and planted in a half wine barrel. It was suggested to use this to replace the huge Kangaroo Apple which is growing in the ground in the back corner of the yard. Initially this was the plane before I considered buying several other fruit trees which may be more suited. I'd love to plant the fig Ficus carica 'Brown Turkey' however they are known to have large root systems which can cause problems if not properly contained, again this is in a half wine barrel. Both of these were bought with my mother in mind as she loves their fruit in concession to me pulling out so much of the old garden. However both are now reasonably well established and in need of some winter pruning to help create better structure. The benefit of needing to cutting the fig back to about half it's current height is that I'll be able to take several cuttings.

The other motivator for the new direction for the garden is to reduce maintainence. It is likely that over the coming years I wont be able to look after things to the level I am now - which isn't as much as I'd like. So with that in mind I am looking to plant more perennial plants. Annuals are fantastic and will continue to be a major player in the garden, but to have some dependable crops thought the year with minimal effort would be fantastic.

The major consideration is over fruit trees. While space is very limited, I am trying to incorporate as many as possible in areas of the property that have seen little use. It is still a work in progress, but the following are some of what is up for consideration:

Prunus dulcis, 
Prunus persica var. nectarina 'Goldmine', 
Prunus avium 'Stella', 
Prunus salicina 'Santa Rosa', 
Microcitrus australasica, 
Passiflora edulis, 
Tasmannia lanceolata, 
Carissa macrocarpa, 
Lycium pallidum

To that rhubarb and strawberries are also high up on the list of what to plant. This will hopefully be settled in 4-6 weeks when time allows for such work. I am also waiting until dormant trees are available for planting.

retrospective

To get an idea of the space I am working with, here is a quick rundown of the history and layout.

Propagation table, aka my mothers outdoor table

I had grown pots of fruits and vegetables over the years in my mothers garden. About four years ago my mother lost the ability to manage the garden and I took it upon myself to adapt it into a productive space. It was a process of experimentation and adaptation, and now I am ready to make the most of it.

The past year was my first attempt at propagating from seed, trying different maintenance and positioning of plants, as well as opening up entirely new areas for growing. I have focused on using heirloom varieties and stopped buying commercial F1 hybrid seedlings.

in the news issue ii

Second update of articles I have come across relating to horticulture, (urban) agriculture, food production, environmental issues and sustainability


Camel abattoir reopens

A growing demand for camel meat has prompted the reopening of a camel abattoir in South Australia's north.
Read more: http://www.abc.net.au/rural/news/content/201204/s3481759.htm
The ABC April 20, 2012


GMO and the devastation of bee colonies: Blamed for bee collapse, Monsanto buys leading bee research firm

Monsanto, the massive biotechnology company being blamed for contributing to the dwindling bee population, has bought up one of the leading bee collapse research organizations. Recently banned from Poland with one of the primary reasons being that the company’s genetically modified corn may be devastating the dying bee population, it is evident that Monsanto is under serious fire for their role in the downfall of the vital insects. 
Read More: http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=30445
The Centre for Research on Globalisation April 21, 2012


Banking on future diversity

We like to believe we have a varied diet and, as individuals, this is largely accurate. The range of foods Australians access is almost certainly greater than at any time in history. There's a dichotomy to our diet, though. We have ever-expanding choices in shops but the crops and many of the proteins we eat come from an ever-narrowing genetic base. Seventy-five per cent of the world's crop diversity is already lost, the United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organisation estimates.
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/environment/conservation/banking-on-future-diversity-20120419-1x85s.html
The Age April 21, 2012

soil contamination

In early March The Age newspaper in Melbourne ran a story regarding soil contamination at a local environmental farm, CERES (Centre for Education and Research in Environmental Strategies). Having been active in the propagation area of the nursery I was shocked to read this. However CERES refuted the claims in a statement made shortly after. More information on this can be found at the CERES Safe Food page.


As a result of these concerns I started to think about the potential of soil contamination relating to my own attempts at urban agriculture. These concerns have been increased somewhat now that I am living in Richmond which was previously a highly industrial area. It was fortunate that an assignment for my course allowed me to use this topic for further research. Bellow is a short literature review conducted regarding the effects of soil contamination on urban agriculture. At some point I would like to investigate further this issue and will update this text. However this gives a brief overview of the general ins and outs of the issue.

In the news

I thought I'd share a couple of articles that caught my eye recently regarding food production in Australia. They were published by The Age Melbourne, so perhaps I'll look a little wider for future articles however this shows what is being discussed in the general media sphere. Please share any thing you've come across in the comments.


The Age April 6, 2012


To market, to market to buy food fresh and wholesome and local

THE supermarket wars have spurred renewed effort to rethink our food supply chain and foster less centralised, local alternatives such as food hubs and growers' markets.
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/business/to-market-to-market-to-buy-food-fresh-and-wholesome-and-local-20120405-1wfhh.html#ixzz1s3hYJhpf


The Age April 15, 2012


The good oil on food miles: it's a bit of a myth

TWO brands of olive oil, one from Australia, the other shipped 16,000 kilometres from Italy, sit on a supermarket shelf.

Most eco-friendly shoppers would reach for the Australian oil. But despite burning less fossil fuel to get here, it may not be better for the planet.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/environment/conservation/the-good-oil-on-food-miles-its-a-bit-of-a-myth-20120414-1x0jy.html#ixzz1s3hxbyyw

The Age April 15, 2012


Free ranging approach to obeying code

TENS of thousands of free-range eggs being sold in Melbourne supermarkets come from chickens ''roaming'' in a space smaller than a doormat, the industry has admitted.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/free-ranging-approach-to-obeying-code-20120414-1x0js.html#ixzz1s3iXmWV7

the seed

The plan for Autumn/Winter:




It is with regret that I've not made the most of the cooler season in past years. Due to a number of factors, nothing overly productive happened despite it being a fantastic time of year. So to rectify all past errors I am attempting an ambitious harvest. In the shadows I have already started preparations, however there is still lots more to come.


So far I have selected seeds and have begun propagation. I am currently designing a planting guide, sowing the rest of the seeds and preparing the soil.

What's growing:


The following will be sown either direct or in punnets depending on the crop. Those that will be sown in punnets, I am using Debco seeed raising mix as the potting medium. Most seed has been sourced from The Diggers Club of which I am a member except several which have been sourced from other suppliers where noted. Click on each to find more information on the variety and where to buy yourself.

urban agriculture in the inner city

The urban hippie manifesto:

I firmly believe that being partly self sufficient is necessary in the modern era. While we have developed a  complex and diverse food-chain to supply the needs and desires of people in first world countries, long term it is not sustainable. Issues of climate change, food miles, economic ad/dis-vantage, genetic diversity, health, and basic understanding of where food comes from underpins this view. As a species we have taken advantage of the fertility of the planet and harnessed it for the past 10,000 years. However it has only taken several generations for city living people to lose touch with how to live off the land.

It is my desire to break this spiral into a world of Soylent Green like food and embrace what nature has provided to us. It is not out of reach for metropolitan people to at the very least supplement their food supply with something that they have grown themselves. It is absolutely crucial children are educated on the production of food so that we can work on resolving larger issues such as climate change. We must regain an understanding of seasonality so food is appreciated when it is abundant, local and fresh; rather than having an endless supply of generic crops transported from miles away.

Let's move things forward:

It is with this in mind that I have for the past few years worked on growing a variety of crops in my own garden to understand how this is achieved. With each season I have found better ways to grow and new varieties to try. It may sound like a lot of work, but that is nothing compared to the satisfaction and ease of picking produce each day for a meal. Not to mention the social side of being able to share your bounty with others. There is also the economic benefit in reduction of food costs once things are up and running.

Recently I moved into a rental property away from my parental nest which hosts my primary production garden. This has given me more space to play with, albeit not without it's own challenges. My current focus is growing from seed using heirloom varieties to take advantage of the diversity of cultivars that have fallen out of the modern food cycle. For more information on this have a look at wikipedia.

I welcome you to this blog and my journey of discovering how independent I can be from my own harvest. Autumn has just begun and it is with great excitement that I am working on my next crop rotation. Over the next month I will be sowing seeds, preparing soil and bringing further information about gardening in the urban environment to help you start growing your own produce.

What to expect:

I will provide information detailing my own garden, information on various crops, resources on where to buy and how-tos, and other discussions on all things related to urban agriculture. I invite all readers to share their experiences. For more information about me read my profile.

a seed was planted

Frog was in his garden. Toad came walking by. "What a fine garden you have" said Frog.
"Yes," said Frog. "It is very nice, but it was hard work."
"I wish I had a garden," said Toad.
"Here are some seeds. Plant them in the ground and soon you will have a garden."
"How soon?" asked Toad.
"Soon," said Frog.
  
Frog and Toad Together By Arnold Lobel 1972