Land, plant and animal system management

 

Important ideas and topics for living a resilient life in times of change and crisis

 

Using nature as a model, coupled with human pattern recognition and forethought to create and nudge interconnected systems toward improved output, lower input.

We are aiming for a low impact, more sustainable way of living and being that draws inspiration from permaculture principals.

Colours of spring

Colours of spring

Details   A lush time of year, when a lot of good growing gets done and the shape of summer is still around the corner.
Date   October 08, 2017
Tags     2017  October  Spring  Blossom 

Sprawling forest garden in the making

Details   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.
Tags     2017  October  Progress 
Flea buster

Flea buster

Details   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).
Date   October 26, 2016
Tags     2016  Melisa  October 
CCSP Kaikoura 6 monthly tour of blockhill

CCSP Kaikoura 6 monthly tour of blockhill

Details   Once again the students from Kaikoura CCSP visited for a tour and explanation for the method.
Date   October 17, 2019
Tags     2019  October  Spring  Tour  CCSP 
Hand woven flax baskets

Hand woven flax baskets

Details   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.
Date   October 11, 2016
Tags     2016  October 
Cacti

Cacti

Details   It's spring, we've had some rain followed by sun and the gardens have burst forth in bud, leaf, flower and young fruit.
Date   October 19, 2016
Tags     october  2016 
Diversity is key

Diversity is key

Details   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.
Tags     2017  October 
Early October

Early October

Details   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.
Date   October 06, 2017
Tags     2017  October