On Sunday the 13th of April, SustainaBundy treasurer Carol Sweeney will host SustainaBundy's first ever permablitz as SustainaBundy members and supporters work together to help transform Ms. Sweeney's standard Bundaberg back yard into an oasis of sustainability.
The permablitz, which originated with permaculture designer Dan Palmer in Melbourne, is the permaculture version of television's Backyard Blitz, with the goals of creating or adding to edible gardens where someone lives, sharing skills relating to permaculture and sustainable living, building community networks and having fun.
Permaculture was developed in the 1970's by Australians Bill Mollison and David Holmgren and has been practiced by an increasing number of students ever since. The word "permaculture" is the fusion of "permanent" "agriculture" or "permanent" "culture." Holmgren defines permaculture as "consciously designed landscapes which mimic the patterns and relationships found in nature, while yielding an abundance of food, fibre and energy for provision of local needs."
SustainaBundy vice president Andi Hazelwood, also a permaculture designer, said, "After hearing about the fun and success of the Melbourne permablitzes, we knew we had to try it out here. Every permablitz will give SustainaBundy members a chance to build relationships while exploring different permaculture techniques and discussing various sustainability issues. The host gets free help transforming their backyard, and the participants get a free lunch from the host at the end!"
Mini-workshops will take place throughout Sunday's permablitz on permaculture techniques such as banana circles, worm farms, chicken systems and food forests. Kookaburra Worm Farms in Gin Gin is donating worm castings (the nutrient-rich waste product from compost worms) to the Permablitz to give a kickstart to seedlings planted on the day, and SustainaBundy members have been asked to donate things like star pickets, corrugated iron and shade cloth to the project.
To learn more about permablitzes and find out how you can participate, visit sustainabundy.org.
Right: The design plan for the first SustainaBundy permablitz. Items in red, including the mulch shown in pink, are to be added on the day.
Please reply if you'd like to participate on the day!
Resources:
Andi Hazelwood on practical permaculture techniques: intro, food forest, banana circle
Andi Hazelwood on the ethics and principles of permaculture
Andi Hazelwood's 20 acre property analysis and permaculture design (PDF)
Permaculture zones and sectors (an important part of any permaculture design)
Permablitz defined
Chickens in permaculture
Permaculture at wikipedia
Article about permablitzing
Permablitzes and Dan Palmer in the Melbourne Age newspaper
Comments
April 13th, 2008
what a great Permablitz!
Thanks to everyone who participated in SustainaBundy's first Permablitz today- the turnout was phenomenal with about 20 people that participated throughout the day! We didn't get everything done on the "to do" list because everyone enjoyed the workshops so much, they took longer than expected! We covered banana circles, worm farms, chicken tractors, no dig gardens and much more before finishing up with a fantastic lunch. The local news came by and took lots of footage, so look for a news story about us in the next few days! We are pleased to welcome three new families as SustainaBundy members and are looking forward to the next 'blitz!
Carol talks about worms at SustainaBundy's first permablitz. Click here to see all the photos.
April 4th, 2008
re: SustainaBundy's First Permablitz
For those planning to participate in the permablitz, here's Carol's wishlist. If you or anyone you know can donate any of these items, please reply and let us know!
3 x sheets of corrugated iron
7 x star pickets
shade cloth for bottom of worms
a bag of blood and bone
4 bags of Camreay Holdings compost
For those who haven't yet picked up their copy of the SustainaBundy Directory and Guide, Jacqui will be out at Shalom Markets tomorrow selling copies with Kate from Camreay - you can find them just in front of the entrance to the markets, on the right side.
Jacqui, while you're there do you want to ask Kate if she's interested in donating some compost to the permablitz?! :)
April 4th, 2008
Re: SustainaBundy's First Permablitz
I think we can provide the corrugated iron no worries!
Dean
April 4th, 2008
Re: SustainaBundy's First Permablitz
Thank you Dino. The iron is to make the compost bay with.
Carol
March 30th, 2008
re: SustainaBundy's First Permablitz
Hi all,
Things are really coming together for our first permablitz! I've added Carol's design to the website- you can see it here. All the items in red are to be added to the garden on the day (including the mulch, which is kind of pink on the design), everything else is existing. Kookaburra Worm Farms is kind enough to donate to the 'blitz as much worm compost as we can carry! Soon Carol will provide us with a "wish list" of items that she needs on the day so between all of us perhaps we can donate some of the items or contact local businesses who might be willing.
I think between now and the 13th it'd be a good idea to discuss some of the permaculture principles that are in place in Carol's miniature food forest (this is a standard backyard, probably 1/4 acre in size) and get an ideas exchange going. If you aren't familiar with permaculture, here are some resources:
-Read about the ethics and principles of permaculture here.
-Read about the food forest and banana circle techniques here.
-Information about permaculture zones and sectors (an important part of any permaculture design) here.
-See a permaculture design and property analysis I did for the property we owned in Biggenden shire here. (3MB PDF)
Later I'll post some of my observations about Carol's design and the principles in place, but in the meantime here are a couple things for you to think about:
1. In the upper right of the design you'll see there's a low spot in the yard, which is where water pools when it rains. What are some ways to make good use of this problem spot and turn it into an opportunity? (for more on this type of thinking, see principle 12)
2. How might we use the space in Carol's yard even more effectively? (hint: see the segment on food forests here)
All you lurking gardeners, this is your chance to jump in and get involved! Have a look at the resources above and see what you can contribute to this project!
March 26th, 2008
re: SustainaBundy's First Permablitz
Hi all, I've been in touch with Adam, one of the folks that started the permablitz concept down in Melbourne, and asked for some tips and advice to ensure that our first permablitz is successful. Here's what he tells me:
* have pdc graduates (such as yourself) work on the design
* have folks introduce themselves at the start
* do a design presentation at the start too
* include workshops (including sponaneous ones if anyone has things to share) -- don't have to be in the garden, we've done lots of kitchen skills, some computer design programs, some theory
* finish and have a bit of a celebration before too many people drift off
* don't expect anything from anyone :)
Adam has also included us in the Permablitz March Newsletter! http://permablitz.net/content/view/56/
The "pdc graduates" that Adam mentions are people that successfully complete the two week intensive permaculture design course. I did mine in October 2006, Dean will be doing his in May. Certified permaculture designers are then able to offer their services to property owners - or put them to use on projects like this one! Carol has provided me with a rough outline of her backyard and what she wants to achieve on blitz day, soon I'll scan it into the computer and make it into an "official" design plan to post to the website and to work from on the day.
More as it happens!
Andi
March 12th, 2008
Re: SustainaBundy's First Permablitz
Hey
The permablitz sounds great
I'd love to help
March 13th, 2008
Re: SustainaBundy's First Permablitz
Thanks for that Maddie! At the beginning of April we'll look to put out info on time and place, activities, and how everyone can help out- stay tuned to the website and/or this email list for further details.Andi