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We have been growing flax for a number of years and I use it frequently as a natural, free, biodegradable 'twine' for tying plants. Depending on the thickness and application it lasts a few months to a year. I had seen fantastic woven baskets, many traditional Maori designs. I wanted to know how to make something practical that was easy to remember and teach. Next stop youtube... A few minutes of video and frequent use of the pause button and I was ready to make my first food basket (rourou). I made a couple more over the next few days and improved slightly.
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We've been working flat out with our Intern, Zac, and so it's been a while since our last horn tooting photo update. So here it is, bellbirds, blossoms, native nitrogen fixers and food forest progress. Enjoy and then get out there and invite nature into your bit of the world.
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This wild and and colourful 'garden' is packed with edible and beneficial plants, a completely different ecosystem from the boring grass monoculture that preceded it. Fruit and nut trees mix with annual crops arranged along raised log planting mounds that provide valuable water storage and nutrients.
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6 years on - Working from an open expanse of grass we are well on the way to a productive forest garden filled with interesting, edible and useful plants. The challenge here was getting wind shelter established, this has reduced moisture loss while contributing valuable biomass and soil improvement, shade and habitat for birds and insects.
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It's hard to see what positive role fleas play in the great biosphere. Summer is coming and the warm dry is ideal breeding conditions in the chicken house. Melisa has declared war and has resorted to chemical weapons (natural neem oil).