How to Create An Energy Efficient Home

HOW TO MAKE YOUR HOME MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT

Some of your choices will depend on the type of climate in which you live. Do you need to lessen or enhance the sun's impact? Do you need to ensure the option to do both, as you experience cold winters, but also hot summers?

• If building an energy efficient new house, research and plan to position your house in the most appropriate position. Consider the positioning of large expanses of windows. Also, take into account other nearby structures and vegetation - will they help protect or obstruct your home? Is there likely to be any other construction in the near future which will affect you?

• Choose double glazed windows to cut down on heat/cool transfer with the outside.

• Dress windows with thick curtains, which can be drawn back to reveal light netting curtains, so that you are suited for any occasion.

• Install an enclosed top pelmet above your windows.

• Outdoor blinds and awnings will help keep out summer sun.

• Install well fitting doors, and create areas which can be closed off, so that you can run heating or cooling only in the areas you are currently using. Put *door snakes* at the bottom of doors to stop air leakage.

• Plant trees, creepers or shade cloth pergolas to help cut down the sun. If you wish to allow winter sun, choose a deciduous tree, or removable shade cloth.

• Install insulation in your ceiling and walls if possible- plus even floor insulation may be possible.

• Also, insulate your air conditioning ducts and hot water pipes.

• Research the cheapest and most energy efficient forms of heating and cooling for your climate and situation.

• Install energy efficient appliances.
  
  
  
  
  

10 More Energy Saving Tips for your Home 

• Install energy efficient lighting.

• Have lighting where you need it, so you don't have to run brighter lights or more lights to get light to where you want it.

• Install water saving shower heads.

• Only operate appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines with a full load, or choose a low water setting. Wash clothes in cold water where possible.

• Install rainwater tanks.

• Install a grey water system.

• Plant drought tolerant plants and lawns- if you must have a lawn.

• Mulch plants well.

• Create directed run off from paved areas into your garden.

• Hydronic heating and cooling throughout your home.

Putting some serious thought and planning into the energy efficiency of your home will have ongoing benefits to you in terms of comfort and expenditure... and give a lasting legacy to the environment.

With the growing rise in energy costs, as well as the environmental impact of greenhouse gases and over-use of our natural resources, it makes sense to make your home as energy efficient as possible.

Whether you are building a new house, or taking steps to *green* your current home, there's lots you can do!

Sustainable & Resilient Communities

DESIGNING FOR THE FUTURE

In working to minimise the multifaceted problems facing the world as we move ahead in the 21st Century- such as climate change, pollution, Peak Oil... and in fact Peak Everything- there is a lot that can be done at community level. This article is aimed at opening up ideas and discussions and stimulating questions that hopefully will lead to a better understanding of what the options are and and to help you discover the areas in which you would like to get involved. 

Community is going to play an enormous role in future resilience and the sooner we begin to re-establish a deeper connection to our community, and work together with our neighbours, the better off we will be.

So... what kinds of communities are we seeing evolve, what issues are they tackling and how can we all play a part in creating our future?

TRANSITION TOWNS

The Transition Town movement, which began as a concept developed by Rob Hopkins and his students in Kinsale Ireland and then further expanded and put into action in Rob Hopkin's current hometown of Totnes UK, is now underway in many countries of the world, with many more communities in the early stages of involvement.

Transition towns work to a plan to take their community from high impact, high fossil fuel dependency to ways of operating which have less impact and are not so dependant on high usage of fossil fuels.

Is your town/area/suburb a "Transition Town"? If so, find out ways that you can get involved.

If not, who might you talk to within your community about the possibility of it becoming a Transition Town? How might you be able to drum up community enthusiasm and participation for becoming a Transition Town? What might the transition and energy descent plan look like for your area? What considerations are important for your community?

ECO VILLAGES AND INTENTIONAL COMMUNITIES

These are purpose built, or established, communities which implement environmentally friendly practices, materials and lifestyles as a major focus of the whole community. The members work closely as a team to make the community work. Intentional communities may also have a specific focus which the members share, such as maybe creative pursuits, natural therapies or maybe spiritual beliefs.


LOCALISATION

Localisation is a big part of the Transition Town plan, and important for any community. It is not practical to continue relying on things to be brought in from great distances, not sensible for people to live far away from their jobs, shops, services and family. It makes much more sense for things to be concentrated within your local community, preferably within walking or biking distance.

What products and services do you utilise in your local community? What could you access locally that you usually source from further afield? What do you have to leave your community to obtain?

An interesting exercise is to trace the path of your food- and other items if you wish- from where it is produced to your home. Where does it originate? How does it travel to your location... and how far is this? What other resources might be used it getting it from "there to here"... such as maybe refrigeration?

Can you find ways to change your eating and other consumption habits, to use food etc which can be sourced closer to your home?

Can you find local farmers or growers whom you could buy from direct? What about neighbours with backyard chickens or veggie gardens- do they have excess for sale, or maybe a swap?

Approach your local supermarket or other shop about getting in more locally grown and produced food.

What about setting up a barter or other exchange system for your local community? They might be especially useful for skill-sharing projects.

IMPORTANT COMMUNITY CONSIDERATIONS

Every community has certain requirements- some are much the same from community to community, while some are more specific to an individual community.

What kind of needs does your community have and how could they be provided more locally, and using "greener" means? How can your community become prepared for these changing times?

Some of the things you might consider are:

Health and wellness care specific to your communities needs? Elder care? Food- what could be made or grown locally? Community Gardens? CSA's, swaps and markets? Encourage households to grow food? Council land that could be utilised for food growing? Fruiting street trees? Preserving and storing food? Localised employment possibilities to save on commute time? Making use of local people for things such as garden maintenance, cleaning, childcare etc. Transport- does your community need to campaign for better public transport? A community bus? Car pools and car shares? Transport for elderly members? Water- How about rain harvesting? Households encouraged to have rain water tanks? Water saving plans for public parks and sporting facilities etc. Waste- can better use be made of storm water or grey water? Can a lower impact sewage treatment/disposal system be implemented? Energy- generation of solar and wind power on public buildings? Households encourages to have solar panels? Housing- "green" requirements for new houses? Retrofitting encouragement for existing homes? Use of vegetation to help control climate? Workshops and classes held on all kinds of relevant topics, such as permaculture, organic gardening, retrofitting houses, reskilling etc. Emergency preparedness- emergency plans for potential disasters for your area? Advice on emergency supplies for households in case of extended power outage or interruption to food supply? Plans for community security and safety in the event of a disaster or other occurrence?

Do some research into what skills and knowledge your local community members possess. There may be untapped, or under-utilised talents right at your doorstep!

What is missing?? Can you recruit people to your area to fill those gaps?


COMMUNITY BASED PROJECTS

Great savings in all kinds of ways can be made when communities work together on joint projects, or share resources. This is also a wonderful tool in building community spirit.

Here are some community projects which have been successful in many areas- maybe you will be able to implement some of them in your community:

Tool Libraries- a collection of tools and equipment, usually both donated and bought from borrowing or membership fees, available for loan or hire to members. This could also be done on an unofficial basis, by neighbours sharing what they have, rather than everyone owning a lawnmower, for instance. Neighbours may also decide to go in together on a group owned item. Of course, some general rules need to be agreed to between the parties, to make things as conflict free as possible. Toy Libraries- similar principle to above. Allows parents to borrow new toys for their children to enjoy, especially as children outgrow certain interests, or would just like a change. Many book libraries also have toy libraries. Community Garden- Either run on a plot per household basis, or everyone works in together on whole garden and divides up the harvest. Once again, clear guidelines are needed. Community produce swaps and markets. Trash and treasure type swaps/markets. Local currency- a currency which is only usable locally, at the places which have agreed to honour it. This has worked successfully in several locations, but is certainly something which needs proper research before implementation. The LETS scheme is a variation on this kind of system.

RE-SKILLING

To thrive in coming times, communities are going to require a resurgence of older skills, which are now much rarer and, in some cases, almost lost. Many things which we now rely on machines to do will need to be done, once again, by hand or by machines which don't require fossil fuels.

Skills which may be worth learning, brushing up on or locating people who know them:

Sewing and knitting Gardening- organically, or permaculture, especially with regard to food plants Preserving and storing food Home cooking from scratch Medicinal herbs and bush foods/medicinal plants General first aid Woodworking, basket weaving Using hand tools Repairs, knife sharpening, wood chopping Building and retrofitting Blacksmithing

Choose one, or more, and start learning!


HONOURING ELDERS AND INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE

One of the great resources we should be turning to, and honoring, are our elderly people who have lived through times using the skills and principles we are needing to re-learn. Before it's too late, take the time to talk with older relatives and friends, or see if you can visit an aged facility, and really listen to what these people can tell you about thrift and making do and using less and ways to do things that don't require fancy machines or plastic galore. They won't be around forever, and when they go, their skills, knowledge and wisdom may go with them... unless we keep it alive.

Our indigenous people, especially the older people, also have so much to offer in understanding our relationship with the land and how we can better work in harmony with it. They also have knowledge of bush foods and medicinal plants, which are ideally suited to our specific climates, and may be useful in times of need.


COMMUNITY SPIRIT AND ENGAGEMENT

As much as possible, try to engage as many members of the community as possible in discussions and decisions about how your community might proceed, and allow people, where possible, to get to work on those areas for which they have enthusiasm. When people feel "ownership" of ideas... feel that they have a say and can act on their own ideas... things that they feel strongly about and have a passion for, they quickly build momentum and can achieve great things!

Community building events such as pot luck dinners, BBQ's, community produced entertainment, working bees, workshops etc help people to feel more a part of their community and more willing to take part in things more enthusiastically.

It is important to create connection, to re-create the village mind, and celebrate all that each person has to offer. All the skills, ingenuity and creativity that come together to make something truly wonderful happen. Together, we can achieve much more than the sum total of our individuals, we can become resilient and meet the future and what may come with a joy and positivity... knowing that we are not alone.

Homeschooling Styles: Educating for the Future

Styles of homeschooling are as widely varied as the families who use them! And the specific definition of each style differs, depending on who you ask.

 

Many families actually use a combination of styles, taking ideas from here and there, creating their own unique style and rhythm. Some stick fairly strictly to one particular style.

One style is not necessarily better than another. It's a matter of finding what suits your particular family best! And don't be afraid to experiment and change until you find your perfect niche. In fact, some families never get to the point where they feel they've found the ideal style... they are constantly exploring new ways and ideas.

The following are just a few educational styles/methods that homeschoolers choose to use:

Natural Learning

Natural learning tends to follow the idea that learning is part of life, ongoing and around us all the time. Everything that occurs in daily life teaches us something, and we delve deeper into things to help expand our understanding of them and to make sense of our world and its experiences.

Natural learner homeschoolers tend to learn as a family, parents along with kids, working on projects that occur naturally as a part of the rich life they lead. Learning isn't split into

subjects, or timetables as such- just learning in whatever areas, and whatever times, these pursuits naturally occur during the day, week, month or year. Children (or anyone) learn best, and retain more, when they are exploring something they actually want to know!

Some homeschoolers like to add some more specific study (such as maths or spelling) into their natural learning pursuits. Many also record activities under subject categories, so that they can keep track of what areas their children are covering, and to satisfy education department record keeping requirements.


School At Home

This style is at the other end of the spectrum. New homeschoolers sometimes try this method, as it is the way they are used to understanding the procedure of education, from their own schoolday experiences. After a while, they usually start to relax, gain confidence and allow things to flow more freely- often progressing to a much more natural learning style, as they become comfortable in their ability to help their children learn.

It is not usually a successful long term strategy. It limits the possibilities of creative learning so much more than a freer style does. Children are also more likely to rebel against these enforced restrictions at home. However, there are some families who find this style suits them well.


Charlotte Mason Method
 

Charlotte Mason was an innovative 19th century educator who believed that children should learn from real life situations- such as nature walks and journals, museums, and creative play. She also believed in using "living books" as an essential learning tool, books that brought things to life, not just containing dry facts like most text books.

Discussions and narrations, not tests and homework (especially at a young age) defined her style. She also believed in children learning good habits and manners.


 
Waldorf/Steiner Method

This style is based on educating the whole child- body, mind and spirit. Young children are encouraged creatively with lots of artistic and dramatic activities. As they develop, emphasis starts to focus on self awareness, working through situations and reasoning.


Children create their own books instead of using standard textbooks. Use of computers, TV etc is discouraged, as, users of this method believe them to be unhealthy and to stifle creativity.


Montessori Method

Developed by educator Maria Montessori, this method encourages children to learn at their own pace, with a lot of hands on manipulative learning. Special learning tools were developed, emphasising simplicity and the use of natural materials. This method also discourages the use of computers and TV.



Unit Studies

In this method a topic theme is chosen, around which studies in multiple subject areas are included. For instance, a family may decide to study their local river. They could then observe, photograph, draw and record wildlife and plant life, and do transects, along the river. 

They could write journals of seasonal changes or observations. They could measure and map sections of the river, record parks, toilets, playgrounds, bins etc. Organise a litter clean up day and record where and how much accumulates. They could test water for salts and impurities. They could write to their local authority about their concerns for the river. Survey people as to what they use the area for.

They could use the internet or libraries to research the history of the river and the people who used it and lived along it, and create a poster project, or PowerPoint presentation about it. Maybe make a pamphlet about the river for people who might visit it... make a version in another language too, if you're studying one.

And the list goes on...

As you can see, almost any subject can be tied into a unit study. You just need to be creative.

These are just some of the main homeschooling styles. Much from one style can be combined with that of others, so it's easy to create your own unique home educating style.

There is extensive information available on all these styles, and others, so do some research to see what might fit your family best. And don't be afraid to acknowledge when something isn't working, and move on to try something different!

Sustainable Food for the Future

Food that helps everyone & everything!

One of the most important issues facing the world is creating sustainable food systems for the changing future. We will no longer be able to rely heavily on fossil fuel abundance to grow, transport and store our food, in the way we have been used to.

That doesn't mean we need to starve however. It means we need to get moving on putting in place other options and implement the changes necessary.


GROWING YOUR OWN FOOD

Never underestimate the power of what you can achieve as an individual. Growing at least some of your own food gives you and your family security and resilience, in times of food supply interruption and provides you with healthy, fresh produce. And if everyone grew food, and swapped excesses with friends and neighbours, the whole community would become more self sufficient.

Get started now, while the need is less urgent, so that if the time arises that you need that food, you have ironed out the bugs and can grow successfully.

Growing food is also a wonderful activity for children to be a part of. It provides exercise, sunshine, a bond with the earth, an understanding of cycles and seasons and uplifts your mood. It also makes some special family times and memories... not to mention the delight a child will experience eating the first ripe tomato of the season, or snapping open fresh peas, straight from the plant!


HOME PRODUCE AND COOKING

Learning, and teaching your children, how to cook wholesome, home made meals from scratch, using wholefoods and produce straight from your garden, is a great skill that will set a healthy pattern for their lives. Experiment... cook over a fire, use a wood oven, try a solar oven. Who knows when these skills may be needed.

If you eat butter and cheeses, Why not learn to make your own? What about your own bread... and don't cheat and use the bread machine. Make your own stocks, your own croutons, your own yummy cookies. See how many things that you usually buy pre-made that you can make yourselves.


STORING AND PRESERVING FOODS

Learning how to properly store different foods- from dry goods to fruits and vegetables- will save a lot of wastage and you will be able to make use of a lot more of your abundant crops or bulk purchases for a longer time period. Keeping out pests is an important aspect, as is correct temperature and humidity. Setting up a good pantry or root cellar record list is a great idea, as well as a rotational schedule to make sure you use the oldest items before the newly added ones.

If you have an excess of harvest, why not try learning how to preserve it for later use? The more ways of preservation you can put into practise, the greater variety of preserved food you will be able to produce.

Try some of these:

• Freezing- a common way of preserving, but works better when you actually know what you are doing and follow some simple principles.
• Drying- you can buy special food dryers, or make your own sun dryer.
• Smoking, salting, glacé.
• Making jam- used to be very common, but less so in the age of convenience.
• Bottling/preserving and pickling

HEALTHY DIETS FOR YOU... AND THE PLANET!

Animal products have the greatest environmental impact, in a host of ways, and therefore are not environmentally friendly at all. Many would say they are not good for your health either. Cutting down, or eliminating, meat and other animal products, is a great way of helping cut down greenhouse gases and the massive destruction to the environment brought about especially by factory farming, along with mass clearing land for grazing animals and growing livestock feed..

So, what are healthy diets? The closer you eat to how a food comes naturally (in most cases) the healthier that food should be. So, wholefoods, not processed. If it has an ingredient list... it's probably not very healthy (with certain exceptions of course.)

Vegan, or if you don't feel you can go that far, vegetarian. If you feel you can't give up meat, eggs or dairy make sure it is truly free range organic- not full of chemicals, toxins, hormones and antibiotics.

Eat lots of fresh, organic raw fruits and vegetables. Straight from the plant if you grow your own! You don't want to be eating something that has sat in storage for months, been artificially ripened with gas, or travelled hundreds or thousands of kilometres by the time it reaches you. How many vibrant nutrients do you think it still has after all that?


PROBLEMS WITH CURRENT FOOD PRODUCTION SYSTEM

Unfortunately, much of our current agriculture and food production is geared towards making as much money, for as little expenditure as possible- with seemingly little consideration for the "product" (animals or plants) or the humans that end up eating them.

Some problems are:

• Production of enormous amounts of greenhouse gases, and other pollutant, along the entire chain of production.
• Toxic chemicals, hormones, antibiotics etc ending up in both plant and animal foods.
• Deforestation and land degradation to grow/graze.
• Oceans being over fished, polluted, fish ingest mercury and other toxins.
• Huge amounts of fossil fuel used for transport of food over long distances.
• Huge monopolies taking over, and having ultimate control of, certain industries.
• Government subsidies for certain industries.
• Health impact studies sponsored by the industry the studies are testing.
• Processed foods being stripped of nutrients and dietary value.
• People becoming ill, obese and dying as a result of their poor diets.
• Workers rights ignored, and abuse rife, in certain industries.
• Immense suffering and hardship by the animals raised in factory farms.

COMMUNITY FOOD PRODUCTION

Within a community, much of its food can be produced locally, by individuals or small organic growers. Localisation is going to become increasingly important. Apart from individuals growing their own food, there are other options to obtain good healthy produce.

Community gardens are a wonderful way to get the community motivated, and is important for those who may not have their own land for gardening, such as those living in flats or retirement villages. They also provide social interaction, exercise and sunshine to those who take part.

Share gardens is another option, where people with garden space to spare partner with those willing to do a lot of the work. This is particularly relevant for older people who may have larger gardens, but find a lot of gardening too difficult. They may partner with younger people living in nearby apartments, who have no garden areas they can use.

CSA's (Community Supported Agriculture) is another great idea, as is approaching local farmers yourself to see if you can buy produce direct... or even have the fun of pick-your-own!

Working together, at a local level, we can create food resilience in our community and ensure the availability of enough food and a healthy diet for all.

Is Homeschooling Right For Your Family?

 Educating For The Future

Growing healthy, happy, creative children who are able to meet the challenges of the future is every parent's goal.  Many parents just 'go with the flow' and send their children to school without an alternative even entering their mind.  But for some, mainstream school may not be the answer.  

Are you a parent who is dissatisfied with the education your child is receiving or concerned about the potential adverse effects of a traditional school setting?  Maybe you feel the class size is too big and your child is not getting enough individual help. Perhaps your child is struggling with understanding concepts, and falling behind in certain subjects. Or maybe your child is very bright, longing to surge ahead, and getting bored while everyone else catches up.

Is your child being bullied at school- by classmates... or teachers?! Do you worry about the dangers your child is exposed to every day (at a younger and younger age all the time) such as drugs, smoking, drinking, unhealthy peer pressure and illegal activities? What about potential horrors of pedophiles... or impatient drivers at crossings?

Or perhaps you have a precious little one, who hasn't reached school age yet, and you have fears of the things mentioned above. Maybe you don't want to hand over the care and responsibility of your child to someone who also has 30 other children to supervise! And perhaps you don't want to miss out on your child's new discoveries and explorations- just left to hear about it when they get home from school.

Do you get fed up with the constant morning battle to get your kids ready for school on time... and the evening battles of homework? Are your kids (and you!) tired and irritable when you all eventually join up for what's left of the day, after school? Is over scheduling... to fit in everything else you and your kids want to be involved with such as sport, socialising, tutoring etc... exhausting you?

If this sounds like your family, then homeschooling might be an option worth exploring!

Educating your children at home can be extremely rewarding. It can also have its ups and downs, especially as you're finding your way, but overall it is usually a positive and exciting journey.

If your children have been at school, it can take time (even months) for them to leave the old groove behind and adjust to a more relaxed, self directed style of learning. But there's no rush... let them (and you) take your time. Learning should be a natural adventure of discovery.

It is your job as a home educating parent to be a facilitator in your child's learning. You aren't there to force the 3 R's on them, but rather to help gently guide when needed, make sure they have the materials and resources they need, and provide an interesting and learning oriented environment. Learn along with them! 

You certainly don't need to "know everything about everything" to home educate. You just need to be resourceful and know how to find out (and show your kids how to find out) what they want to know. With the internet, and so many excellent libraries, museums and other resources, this is usually a fairly easy task these days.

One of the things you need to consider, if you are thinking of homeschooling, is the time factor. Do you have the time it takes to dedicate to educating your children? Will your lifestyle allow it? 

While many home educators work part time and successfully homeschool, it is probably not really an option for two (or one in a single parent family) parents to work full time and home educate. And even for part time, don't forget, you don't have school to fall back on as a babysitter while you work, or go out doing errands etc. While your children are too young to be left at home alone you will need to find someone to care for them during these times. And please don't make them grow up and take on this responsibility too early! Don't leave older ones to care for young ones, until they are well and truly ready.

If you are on certain Centrelink support payments, registered homeschoolers are exempt from the new part time work requirement. Inquire through Centrelink to make sure this includes whatever payment you are receiving.

However, regarding time, home education does not actually need to take as much time as your child used to spend each day, in school. Your child will learn a lot more, with one to one involvement with you, and being able to progress at their own rate, in their own direction. Probably a couple of hours a day working on whatever projects he/she is currently engaged in will be enough, plus some creative time on art, craft, music, maybe a walk or kicking a ball around, attending homeschool group social events etc.

Of course, the beauty of home education is that there are no school bells to tell you to start or stop or change subject! Most of the time, your child can continue for as long as their interest holds. Then they can move on!

Another consideration is do you actually feel you and your children can spend this much time together without driving each other crazy?!

There are some families who, no matter how much they really love each other, just find they can't cope with almost constant "togetherness". Families who come back from holidays together almost not speaking! And this is nothing to feel badly about. People are different. It's far better to be honest about this, than to struggle on and cause damage to your family relationships. 

But homeschooling is often worth a try, if you feel that there's a chance of it working. Often without the pressures and old battles of getting ready for school, homework, strict bedtimes, tired grumpiness etc, families find that they are much more relaxed and enjoy each others company. 

Most families who have homeschooled from the beginning (and many who take it on later) find that it brings their families much closer together, and they just can't imagine not wanting to explore each day with their children. Not to say that it doesn't get frustrating at times. There are arguments, disagreements, just like any family, and naturally, most people need some "space" and time to themselves. This can be achieved by incorporating quiet, reflective personal time for everyone into your day. And by making sure you have other people who can give you a break, if needed, such as your spouse, family, and other home educators.

Joining a homeschoolers group is one of the best ways to begin your home education adventure. There are lots of online groups, as well as groups who meet regularly. Some are formal groups with membership fees, newsletters etc... some are just an informal group of families who get together.

Members of any homeschool group are usually quite friendly and willing to welcome newcomers into the "fold". They understand the questions, worries and doubts you may have... they have been there before! You can gain much wisdom and help with how to go about the whole process, from being an active part of a homeschool group. They can help lessen the "teething pains" greatly!

Homeschool groups often have social meeting where kids (and parents) can get together to play and chat. Many also have group workshops, activity groups and educational outings. They can provide great support and friendship! 

Different homeschool groups often have a different focus, to do with the general ideas and principles its members follow- such as natural learning, Christian home ed, Charlotte Mason etc. Some are pretty general. So it pays to check around for the one(s) that might be best for your family. Experienced home educators in any group can probably give you a contact for the group they think might suit you. Unless you have specific ideas already, a fairly general group is probably best to begin with, then you can always join another one with more specific focus later on.

Opening your children up to the joys and challenges of learning is a wonderful experience... one like no other!

Helping to grow the scientists, inventors, politicians, musicians, great thinkers, explorers, entrepreneurs, sports people, artists... people who will shape the world... and the future!

Abundant Productive Gardens

TOWARDS SELF SUFFICIENCY
 
Our gardens are a wonderful place to start towards our self sufficiency journey, whether you want to become virtually totally self sufficient, or just provide your family with some healthy home grown produce.

The following article is designed to provide ideas, outlines, and stimulate inquiry for anyone interested in finding out more, or setting up their own productive food producing garden. Of course, these principles are not limited only to producing food, although that is our focus here, and can be applied to whatever type of garden you desire. 

 

BENEFITS OF GARDENING

• Working with our gardens allows us to become more aware of the season and natural cycles.
• Getting hands-on with the soil and living things connects us to the earth in deeper ways.
• Gardening can be very mentally soothing and replenishing.
• They joy of seeing things come alive and flourish with our care.
• Sunshine, fresh air and exercise!
• Healthy food grown with respect and care.
• Wonderful hands-on experience for children!

GROWING FOOD

Growing your own food means you know exactly what you put into it... and don't put into it! You create your own healthy soils, fertilise and control pests naturally without toxic chemicals, allow produce to grow in season and ripen naturally, and can eat it fresh... even directly from the plant! You food doesn't end up travelling hundreds of kilometres to your table, spending months in cold storage or ripened unnaturally by gas.

It is probably best to start off with just a few of the easier to grow veggies, when starting out, and then increase as you get the hang of it. 

Some questions to ponder:

What veggies will grow easily in your particular climate? What will you actually eat? Or could swap with others for things you want? How much room do you have? some veggies, like pumpkins and melons, require a lot of space, while as others can be grown fairly close together. What was grown in the space previously and how might that affect what you plant there? How else can you use your space, other than just in the ground planting? Do you have vertical areas you can utilise too, to grow things such as vines? What about strawberries and cherry tomatoes in hanging baskets? Window boxes and pots for herbs? Dwarf fruit trees in large pots?

ORGANIC GARDENING

Organic gardening means growing plants using only natural fertilisers such as composted material and the work of worms. It takes advantage of natural pest control methods by planting plants that have natural repellant properties and by attracting beneficial creatures to your garden. Healthy living soil is of utmost importance, as is choosing the right plants and the right place for them.

Some things to consider:

What are some of the various forms of organically fertilising your soil? What kinds can you easily access or design for? What pest problems are you most likely to encounter, considering your local area and the types of plants you are growing? How are these best handled? What about home-made natural pest control sprays etc? What beneficial creatures will most help you keep these pests under control and how will you attract them? What about repellant plants? Some of these considerations are discussed in more depth in below sections.

COMPANION PLANTING

Utilising plants which are beneficial to each other in some ways is the principle behind companion planting. And, of course, separating those that are detrimental to each other. Some plants help by releasing substances into the soil that other plants need, or by changing the composition of the soil to be better suited. Some help repel the pests that attack certain plants. yet others provide valuable shade or shelter to young developing plants until they are better able to deal with conditions themselves.

Some plants just don't do well in close proximity to certain others, because of substances released, vigorous competition for nutrients, different water requirements etc.

There is some disagreement as to how useful companion planting actually is, but why not give it a go and see how it works for you.

So...

What do you want to grow and which of them should be planted together, or apart, to get the best out of your garden? What else might you add to complement those plants? What other plants might you include in your garden- and where- to help repel pests?

PERMACULTURE

Permaculture is a holistic approach to all human endeavour, including growing food, regeneration, building homes, creating communities, using sustainable methods based on the observation of, and working with, nature.

In our gardens it means creating gardens which mimic the principles of nature, using symbiotic relationships and where there is no waste and everything produced is used somewhere in the cycle in a never ending loop. Plants, living creatures and micro-organisms, and humans are all part of the loop.

Here are some permaculture principles to research further and possibly put into use:

Food Forests Guilds Swales and other water harvesting Layering Designing for multiple function Using chickens etc for tilling and pest control

LIVING SOILS

Soil used in most modern agriculture is virtually "dead" soil, because the use of toxic pesticides and fertilisers has basically killed all of the beneficial organisms in the soil. Even much of our garden soil is depleted, or poisoned by toxins, and needs restoration.

A lot can be achieved by adding rich composted material to the soil. This also encourages worms to migrate into your soil, who then carry out their vital work in creating rich soil. Other micro-organisms also may "move in" and you can also buy live micro-organisms to add. Manures also play an important role in adding nutrients to soil, as can "worm castings" and "worm tea" produced in a worm farm. Nitrogen fixing crops can also be grown and left to decompose into the soil, as can any prunings or discarded parts of plants. 

Here's some suggestions to start getting your soil in rich, living condition:

Have your soil tested for nutrient and micro-organism content. What might you need to add to your soil to condition it and encourage beneficial micro-organisms and vibrant growth? What kind of soil do you have? Acid? Alkaline? Clay? Sandy? What do you need to add to improve its pH or composition to better suit what you want to grow and to hold/drain water better? Start a compost heap to be used on your garden. Find a source of organic manure, such as chicken or rabbit. Or get your own rabbits or chickens and use them for manure, along with other uses. Most manures are better composted, as they can be too strong to use directly and also can contain bacteria which requires the heat of the composting procedure to kill it. Start a worm farm (- do some research first!)

COMPOST AND WORMS

Having a compost heap is one of the important systems in an organic self sufficient garden. It eliminates a lot of "waste" and returns it to the soil where it once again helps provide valuable nutrients and soil structure. It isn't hard once you get the hang of it, and is usually fairly correctable if things start to go wrong.

Compost Considerations:

What kind of compost facility would suit you best? An open heap? A vertical compost bin? A rotary compost barrel? What are the pros and cons of each? How long does each type take to properly break down? What materials are ok to compost... and what is inadvisable? Is your compost getting hot enough and how could you increase its temperature? What do you do if your compost gets too wet... too smelly... too dry? How can you discourage rodents etc from "dining" on your composting materials?

Worm farms take a little more precise care as you are dealing with living creatures, however, with some knowledge and the right conditions, your worms can live contentedly and provide you with an excellent source of fertiliser... as well as munch through a large amount of kitchen waste.

Worm Wonderings:

What kinds of worm farms are there, and which would suit you best? Where is the best location for a worm farm and what are the ideal conditions? How can you protect your worms from intense heat or cold? How many worms should you obtain and what kind? What is safe to feed your worms? What is toxic or bad for worms... or bad from a use point of view?

ANIMALS AND MANURES

The relationship between animals and the land is an important part of permaculture, and any gardener can benefit from either what they produce (as in manures) or their actions (as in tilling the soil, eating insects, keeping down grass and weeds.)

Chickens and ducks are common choices for gardens. Not only do they carry out valuable garden work, but they can provide you with eggs- if you eat them. Rabbits are also good at eating down grass and provide an ideal manure, which is very gentle. If you have large areas of weeds or grass that need "mowing" you could go for a cow or goat, and get milk too, if you use it.

Of course, keeping animals does require certain considerations:

What kind of animal/s will be best suited to your situation? Have you properly researched the pros and cons of having these creatures in your garden... and know when and where they can safely and usefully be let loose in it? Do you actually have the time, energy and facilities to take on these living creatures and provide them with a happy life? Do you have suitable shelter for them from heat and cold, sleeping and laying etc? Can you protect them from predators or excess shock? Can you afford, and are you willing, to pay the various required vet expenses, both for standard care and emergencies?

WATER IN THE GARDEN

Without water, life on earth would cease. The same applies in your garden. Not only is water essential for the very things you are growing, but to attract the beneficial creatures to your garden. Supplying water to these things needs to be thought through properly so as to do it in an efficient, non wasteful manner.

Things to consider about managing water in your garden:

Where will your water come from? Mains water? Well or bore? Harvested water in rainwater tanks or rain barrels? What about grey water... could you use this on your non-edible plants or fruit trees? Could you use a reed bed system to cleanse grey water so that it can be used elsewhere? How will you get water to where it is needed? By hose or watering can? Irrigation system... and if so what kind? How much water, how often, do your various plants require? What time of the day will be best to water? How will you handle any water restrictions, now or in the future? Can you put into place principles which will help your garden be more drought tolerant? What about water for birds and other creatures? Will you have bird baths? A pond? Fountain?

ATTRACTING BENEFICIAL INSECTS, BIRDS ETC

Birds, insects, reptiles and all kinds of micro-organism play a very important role in your garden. They help control pests, fertilise flowers, spread seeds, provide manure and condition the soil... not to mention the pleasure they can give to humans as we see them busy about their tasks.

Creature Comforts:

What creatures do you want to attract and what will they do for your garden? What kinds of things will help attract them? Specific flowers or plants? Water? Shelter? The presence or absence of some other creature? How will you safeguard these creatures from possible predators such as cats? How will you provide water for them... and can you make it safe so that they can't drown and have easy access/exit?

PLANTS FOR SHADE AND MICRO-CLIMATE

Plants can be used to help with temperature control inside your house as well as outside areas. Deciduous trees are a wonderful way of keeping out the summer heat when they are in leaf, and allowing the sun's rays to warm in winter when they have lost their leaves. Thick plantings of bushes can insulate walls. Creepers and vines can shade pergolas and verandas, or even shade houses and aviaries. Areas of greenery, even ground covers, are much cooler than areas of concrete or paving.

They can also create micro climates in your garden, which then allows for more diversity and more climate sensitive plants to be grown, than a barren, windswept, open to heat and cold area would allow. Shade by trees or well covered ground by low growing plants also helps water retention, by cutting down evaporation.

Ways plants may be helpful in controlling climate at your place:

Do you have walls which retain lots of heat in summer? What about large windows which allow lovely warmth through in winter... but bake you in summer? Would some of your outdoor areas benefit from being shaded? Do you want all year round shade, or something that will lose its leaves in winter? Do you have a lot of paved outdoor areas that retain heat and might be better planted with ground covers or turned into other garden areas?

COMMUNITY GARDENS

Community gardens serve important functions within a community. First, they enable people who may not have much, or any, land available for veggie gardens to access land and grow fresh, healthy produce for their families. Secondly, it brings community together and builds a shared goal. Other benefits include increased health from exercise and an improved diet, and from getting out in the fresh air and sunshine, as well as the accompanying mental benefits.

So why not join or start a Community Garden?

Some things to consider:

How might you promote and fund raise for your community garden? What kind of model should we use... separate family plots, or an all in together group garden? Who would be eligible to take part? Would there be any kind of fee involved? How would work and produce sharing be organised, if applicable? Where could we access land? What improvements to the soil and general location might be needed? Would we insist on only organic practices and seeds/plants? What will we plant? Will we save seed and propagate our own plants? What else will we need- compost heap? Worm farm? Sheds? Picnic facilities? How will we water our garden? Who will water it? What garden tools will we need and how will we obtain them? Where will we store them?