It’s nearly chocolate season, my friends. But what constitutes ethical chocolate these days? It’s pretty hard to tell. Take a peek at this incredible family of chocolateers, doing it right. In a backyard shed set in a lush vegetable garden in Mudgee is Spencer Cocoa, a single origin chocolate company with the best bean-to-bar story you’re ever likely…
DetailsChoosing the right plant for the right spot, working with its behaviours and getting it to cooperate with others can be a little difficult at times. Before you go getting yourself a little too lost in the world of plants (actually that sounds pretty darn good) take a look at these five plant databases…
DetailsPlanting a tree is a simple act. But, as we’ve learned on a site that’s sometimes less-than-welcoming to tree establishment, there’s ways, and there’s ways that work. Last week, with our Permaculture Design Course students, we planted oak trees. And for this site, there needs to be a little more involved than poking holes in…
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As if growing your own mushrooms wasn’t excellent enough, there’s also a way you can further increase their Vitamin D content… simply by putting them in sunlight. And not increase that Vitamin D by a little bit, either. We’re talking a bigtime boost in nutrition here.
DetailsIt’s a cubby house, but also bee forage, a shade structure for tender herbs, a plentiful source of dinner beans, and seed saving stock, too. Hooray for the Bean Tipi! And I don’t think our summer garden will ever be without one, from this year onward. They’re far too much fun.
DetailsHey great news – Australia has it’s very own, brand-spanking new Permaculture Magazine. It’s called Pip, and we love it. Pip is going to come out twice a year (to begin with) and offer a stack of info as well as glimpses into fabulous permaculture gardens, projects, people and more…
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Young country wine is a simple ferment composed of fruit, sugar, water, air and time. With the help of the naturally occurring yeasts on the skins of the fruits, these simple ingredients can be transformed into a delicious good-time brew…
DetailsCropfest is all about celebrating the three legged carrot, the eggplant with a nose and all those perfectly good veggies which don’t make it to market because they don’t ‘look right’. It’s going to be a big evening of hands-on cooking classes, live music and making merry, right in the heart of Sydney…
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Growing shiitakes on logs is a great idea for any backyard or small farm food system. Partly because after the burst of work needed at the start, you don’t need to think about them for a fair while, until they’re ready. Then there’s the main reason that shiitake logs are a great idea. Because eventually,…
DetailsWhat a gorgeous place this is – bursting with organically grown food, fruit, herbs and animals, and boasting the prettiest cooking school we ever did see. Just when I thought Tasmania couldn’t get any better…
DetailsSo you’re resolved to grow the best darn vegetables ever. You’re on a mission to feed your family nutrient-dense, organic, home-grown food, to stick it to the supermarket, and to hopefully have enough to share with friends and neighbours too. Getting your soil’s pH balanced can help a lot. Here’s how to do it:
DetailsWe are excited to announce that David Holmgren, co-originator of Permaculture, will be joining Nick as a special guest teacher on our Winter Permaculture Design Certificate course happening this July in Sydney. Here’s why we think this is such a big deal:
Details‘Tis the season to go shrooming! Autumn is the time of year that all the pine mushrooms pop their heads up on the forest floor, offering a feast of fungi goodness. But how do you do it? How do you know what to pick and what to avoid? Aha. There are ways, my friends. And…
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