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Pernaculture- a re-visit

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In October last year we spent a weekend at a permaculture garden on a farm near Lancaster (see mt previous blog). A few of us hardy souls went back for the weekend of 5th Feb to do some more work on the re-design of the garden. In the meantime I’ve been reading up on the subject and have come to the conclusion that its the science of common sense. The exciting thing about it for me is that you can create a beautiful space that is also productive. Geoff Hamilton was a great advocate of this way of gardening and I suppose this was the start of my interest. Since his time on our TV screens I’ve always had some food in amongst the flowers but now I feel drawn to taking it a step forward and seeing how much I can actually get out of my suburban postage stamp whilst keeping it looking good. We camped out (me, Debs and my daughter Jen in her new teepee) in sub-zero (at night) conditions at the farm- most people thing I’m losing the plot but we had a great weekend and kept well wrapped up with extra warm sleeping bags. Its the first time Jen has shown any interest in gardening so I’m quietly hopeful. We laid out new paths, pruned the fruit trees,made a herb spiral and ate some of the farms organic produce. Deb bought me 3 apple trees for my birthday grown at the farm. More to follow………..

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Comments

 

This is interesting..looking forward to more...
Is that a mosaic in one of the pics ? :o)

15 Feb, 2010

 

wow what a great time u had...what a magical space to spend time in....geoff hamilton was my guru too..i have just got around to understanding permaculture Mike....i have just borrowed some magazines from a mate, and this summer we are setting up two yurts in the garden to let to the holiday makers..so we are investigating compost toilets and solar powered showers at the moment...

15 Feb, 2010

 

I enjoyed your blog and pics,Popeymike,..crikey,you certainly picked a cold weekend to camp out,but it looks as though it was a success.I was a Geoff hamilton fan too,my kind of gardener.I'm sure your daughter will show an interest,if not yet,it will be there in her mind for the future.....

15 Feb, 2010

 

Sandra- I could be your first booking! The farm has 3 compost toilets- I didn't go into detail here but they are perfectly acceptable! Two of my friends have yurts- one is an interior designer at she went well over the top with the decor!! (picteure here); http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=596536&l=e57050be43&id=1532912487

15 Feb, 2010

 

just tried that link but it says its wrong.....
ive use a few compost toilets here and there....so many different types.

15 Feb, 2010

 

I must be great, doing something i mean really do something that you are greatly interested in. Wow, what an adventure you are having, organic is
the way to go! All the pictures look great, you all look like you enjoyed it!
I am sure your daughter Jen, will eventually take to Gardening and get addicted
like all of us!

15 Feb, 2010

 

I hope so too- it should be in her genes, there have been enough gardeners in the family!

15 Feb, 2010

 

What an interesting think to do, but there is no way i could camp in this freezing weather.

16 Feb, 2010

 

Mike... did you miss my question about the mosaic please ?

16 Feb, 2010

 

sorry Terratoonie- forgot to reply to that. Yes its a Labarynth (or half of one) my daughter was helping to make. Its going to be a focal point at the centre of the garden. Unfortunately it didn't get finished as the light beat us-- next time....! Camping in February is mind-over-matter Clarice- you lose your mind and it no longer matters!

16 Feb, 2010

 

my kids went camping at the beach last weekend....too cold for me yet....

16 Feb, 2010

 

nothing fazes kids! Its all an adventure

16 Feb, 2010

 

Just found your blog popeymike. How big is your "postage stamp"? Up to now I think I have one of the smallest gardens on here. Well at least the narrowest. Trying really hard to make the most of it. I really liked your raised bed with the grame, been looking at your photos to. Seems like the family had a great time at the farm

14 Apr, 2010

 

I meant frame not grame!!!! lol

14 Apr, 2010

 

Hi Pauline, my postage stamp consists of a sunny narrow side plot about 50 feet long x 10 feet wide (where the raised bed is), a small shady back garden and a sunny triange at the front. I'm looking to make more use of the front for veg and herbs and am digging up part of the (unused) lawn. I will do another blog entry soon. Going back to the farm for the coming bank-holiday weekend.
Best wishes.Mike

14 Apr, 2010

 

At last someone with a small narrow garden!!!!!! (Your side plot is just a little bit smaller than my whole garden!!) I am so happy will be following your progress. Need ideas on how to break up my garden I grow mostly veg and trying really hard to get more wildlife into the garden. I was rewarded today by my very first Goldfinch. I am really excited. I am planning a cottage garden area. My front garden is too small to talk about!!! I could put 2 plant pots out there but that will be it!!

14 Apr, 2010

 

I would recommend any the late great of Geoff Hamilton's books for ideas, especially "the ornamental kitchen garden".You can pick them up cheap on Ebay.

14 Apr, 2010

 

cheers

14 Apr, 2010

 

Hey another Perm convert,I did my design course at Braziers park, with Andy Langford,my garden is 12 metres by 6 metres, half shade,with deep bedsWhere did you get the Teepee?

13 Sep, 2011

 

Hi Bobangles, Teepee was from Yeoman's, it's my daughter's.
I am doing the design course at the beginning of October with Rod Everett- can't wait!
Cheers, Mike

14 Sep, 2011

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