Last year on May 1st we hopped down to Sydney to see what delights National Permaculture Day had to offer – and there were many! We devised a plan that covered a range of projects and we spent the day whizzing through a selection of open gardens and talks, and even helped dig up some verge as part of a permablitz. Not bad for one Saturday.

This year the fun is most definitely on once more. There are heaps of open gardens, permaculture talks, workshops and open days across Sydney, and across the rest of Australia as well. Including Milkwood Farm, which we’re opening for 2 tours on 30th April as part of the National Permaculture Day shenanigans!

Ryde TAFE keyhole beds, Sydney: National Permaculture Day, 2010

In 2010 we kept to the north side of the harbor in Sydney to see what we could see for the day. Along with our friends Rob and Michele form Verge Permaculture, who were visiting from Canada, we first decided to go to a verge permablitz. From there we hopped to Justine’s amazing strata-title permaculture garden, and then on to Ryde TAFE to look at their permaculture garden and learning center.

Justine explaining her garden, Sydney: National Permaculture Day, 2010

Ryde TAFE permaculture garden, Sydney: National Permaculture Day, 2010

Rob Avis, Ashar and friend, all glowing after exploring Justine's amazing garden: National Permaculture Day, 2010

If you’re in Sydney, I’d recommend a full family day out for National Permaculture Day. We had a ball, Ashar got to taste a variety of different Sydney garden soils as well as various vegies (he was very pleased), and we ended the day inspired.

Milkwood Farm from the top of the hill (the intern's garden)

Or, if you’d like to schlep it up the Mountain (or from wherever you live) to Milkwood Farm for National Permaculture Day, you can do that too! We’d love to have you.

We’re doing 2 tours of the farm on Saturday April 30th: the first at 1pm and the second at 3pm. So if you’ve ever wanted to see what we’re up to, now’s your last chance until our next open day in late Spring.

Our passive-solar cottage being built with recycled everything at Milkwood Farm

Our recently built earth bag guest accom at Milkwood Farm

Milkwood Farm, bottom dam

You’ll get to see all the physical aspects of our permaculture farm-in-the-making, be able to talk regenerative agriculture and permaculture with Nick, talk to our fabulous interns about cell grazing sheep or making pocket rocket stoves, browse our resources and toast a marshmallow around the campfire. And yes, as always, there will be fresh scones with jam and cream.

Make sure you bring your woolliest coat and hat, because by late April we can get some pretty chilly weather here (nothing that a stirring conversation and a hot chocolate can’t fix, however).  Attendance is free for all humans (no pets, please) and an rsvp is appreciated.

*Details on Milkwood Farm’s 30th April 2011 open day and directions to the farm are here.

Have a look at the National Permaculture Day website for all the events Australia wide.

Or, if you’re across the sea, get involved in Guerrilla Gardening’s International Sunflower Guerrilla Gardening Day on May 1st instead. So it’s a date, then! May you all give May 1st over to permaculture and gardening, even if it’s just you and your potplant.

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