|
Commenced:
|
01/01/2005 |
|---|---|
|
Submitted:
|
08/04/2011 |
|
Last updated:
|
16/02/2016 |
|
Location:
|
Cherokee, Victoria, AU |
|
Climate zone:
|
Cool Temperate |
(projects i'm involved in)
Project: Fernglade Farm
Posted by Chris McLeod about 10 years ago
Some weeks at the farm you feel like you are on top of the
world. I mean that literally too. Spring and autumn always bring fog which
rolls in from the Southern ocean. The farm sits on a mountain saddle about two
thirds of the way up to the top of the ridge. Practically speaking this means
that during winter, cloud can hover just above the tree line here for days on
end, but below the farm people are experiencing severe frost. I’ve now been
told that the recent snow and frost were some of the most severe in the past
two decades. Had I known that fact in advance, I probably wouldn’t have
complained to the local gardening group that the coffee shrub and babaco which
are both tropical plants died here in the recent frosts. Things were much worse
elsewhere.
This morning however, I awoke to another fog and the
mountains around the local area poked their heads out of the fog like islands
in a sea.
| Fog over the Barringo valley |
The deciduous trees are in the slow process of breaking their dormancy. This week the earliest pear which is an ornamental snow pear, started to blossom and put on some leaves.
| Snow pear breaking it's dormancy |
The apricot trees which are now in their second year on the very sunny side of the orchard have put on even more flowers this week. Apricots are one of my favourite stone fruits and they are excellent for both bottling (canning) and for jam making so I look forward to getting harvests as the year’s progress.
| Apricots are continuing to put on more blossoms |
Not every fruit tree operates on the same annual cycle though. Occasionally the conditions favour a particular tree or variety and this year it seems that the almonds have set fruit really early, even whilst other trees are still dormant or only just breaking their dormancy. I have no explanation for this behaviour on the part of these fruit trees other than using it to justify the 300 different fruit trees here on the basis that something has to produce at sometime!
| Almond fruit set |
In other farm news the final post for the blackberry enclosure was cemented into the ground over the past few days. The steel gate which is actually a recycled security door also received a lick of paint. The next step for the enclosure is for me to install the rails and then I’ll screw on the pickets which will be made from local saplings.
For the rest of the entry visit: http://ferngladefarm.blogspot.com.au/
You must be logged in to comment.
Note: The various badges displayed in people profiles are largely honesty-based self-proclamations by the individuals themselves. There are reporting functions users can use if they know of blatant misrepresentation (for both people and projects). Legitimacy, competency and reputation for all people and projects can be evidenced and/or developed through their providing regular updates on permaculture work they’re involved in, before/after photographs, etc. A spirit of objective nurturing of both people and projects through knowledge/encouragement/inspiration/resource sharing is the aim of the Worldwide Permaculture Network.
 |
MemberA member is a permaculturist who has never taken a PDC course. These cannot become PDC teachers. Members may be novice or highly experienced permaculturists or anywhere in between. Watch their updates for evaluation. |
|---|---|
  |
Permaculture MatchmakerOne of these badges will show if you select your gender and the "I'm single, looking for a permaculture partner" option in your profile. |
 |
PDCPeople who claim to have taken a Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) course somewhere in the world. |
 |
PDC VerifiedPeople who have entered an email address for the teacher of their PDC course, and have had their PDC status verified by that teacher. Watch their updates for evaluation. |
 |
PRI PDCPeople who’ve taken a Permaculture Research Institute PDC somewhere in the world. |
 |
PDC TeacherPeople who claim to teach some version of PDC somewhere in the world. |
 |
PRI TeacherWith the exception of the ‘Member’ who has never taken a PDC, all of the above can apply to become a PRI PDC Teacher. PRI PDC Teachers are those who the PRI recognise, through a vetting board, as determined and competent to teach the full 72-hour course as developed by Permaculture founder Bill Mollison – covering all the topics of The Designers’ Manual as well as possible (i.e. not cherry picking only aspects the teacher feels most interested or competent in). Such teachers also commit to focussing on the design science, and not including subjective spiritual/metaphysical elements. The reason these items are not included in the PDC curriculum is because they are “belief” based. Permaculture Design education concerns itself with teaching good design based on strategies and techniques which are scientifically provable. PRI PDC Teachers may be given teaching and/or consultancy offerings as they become available as the network grows. |
 |
Aid WorkerThe individual with this badge is indicating they are, have, or would like to be involved in permaculture aid work. As such, the individual may or may not have permaculture aid worker experience. Watch their updates for evaluation. |
 |
ConsultantThe individual with this badge is indicating they are, have, or would like to do paid permaculture design consultancy work. As such, the individual may or may not have permaculture consultancy experience. Watch their updates for evaluation. |
 |
Community ProjectCommunity projects are projects that help develop sustainable community interaction and increase localised resiliency. |
