Blitz 114 – Flemington
Jo and Dylan live in a Victorian share house in Flemington, owned by Dylan’s mum, Anne. Since undertaking a Permaculture Design Certificate at Ceres they had established a functional permaculture garden. This included chooks, a bee hive, some fruit trees and annuals
A new design was undertaken by the pair as the productive space was limited by existing paving. After careful observation and analysis in the garden, a design of two interwoven sculptural curves was employed to form both garden beds and social spaces. The overall solution contained four rotational beds, an earth oven, a new relocated chook enclosure, a food forest and an espaliered orchard. The construction of the beds capitalising on a course Jo and Dylan had done in Cal-earth bag techniques.
The participants were fortunate to be given an introduction to the skills needed to form the bags and rendering by Minna and Nicholas. Volunteers were comfortable moving between groups and there was a relaxed and inclusive feel. Even an abundance of wind and rain couldn’t dampen spirits! A highlight was Jo’s presentation and explanation of the design.
A lot was achieved despite not completing all the elements of the garden on the day. Posts were erected for the orchard, two garden beds were filled with soil and rendered, and there was the substantial construction of two more beds. A timber wicking bed was also constructed in the front of the property.
The harvesting of some winter crops came out as a salad to join the splendid fare that Anne organised for lunch. The hosting was very generous with snacks throughout the day and Dylan’s home brews of beer and cider capped off the occasion.
Also check out this time lapse of before and during the blitz of the earth bag beds:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=B8JEI_b0MfM%3F
