Libby1's Edible Backyard

Joined:26/11/08 Updated:27/10/09 Frost:
Location: North Turramurra

About My Edible Backyard

 I began my garden in August last year after doing the permaculture introductory course at Ryde TAFE in Sydney .... initially I needed to import mushroom compost to use in my veggie gardens as I did not have enough compost of my own available.... I constructed a mandala garden ( to maximize the amount of edge as well as being an easy form to operate as nothing is more than one arms length from the edge)....a small keyhole veggie garden, a tea bank and a herb spiral ... my soil is a sandy loam with a clay base and needed/needs  lots of improvement.... in order to improve the soil, harness the rain and other water and to keep the nutrients in the soil I have swales (ditches on contour) in both front and back garden areas and have nurse trees(acacias) , nitrogen fixers, herbs, bulbs etc planted between the fruit trees which have been planted on the mound on the downside of the swales... these areas will be food forests ... rainfall of 1444mm/year in this area is usually a little higher than the surrounding areas of Sydney (1200mm/year)due to the amount of tree cover and national parks

My two orchards are located on the eastern and western sides of my house with mediterranean plantings on the west...veggie gardens are located on the northern  side and I have planted a few deciduous fruit trees along the northern border

My biggest challenge is water and I have had two tanks installed 10,000litres which is connected up to the toilet as well as the washing machine and garden taps...it has just become empty with the current lack of rain.. the other tank is 2,500litres and used to hand water veggies and fruit trees in the vicinity

I received  the Mayor's Sustainability Award recently for my garden

Comments

Dwarf Peach - Valley Red ^10/10

Planted: 2008

Height 0.5 metres

Qty: 1

Pollination: Self Pollination

Pest Control: used lime sulphur as had  a deformity happening on the leaves and they started to curl 

Organic Status:Certified

Comments

Arrowroot (Seedling) ^10/10

Planted: 2009

Height 2 metres

Qty: 2

First Fruited: 2009 Months from Purchase in Pot

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Pollination: Self Pollination

Pest Control: nil

Organic Status:Certified