Experiments from user: GJO ESQ

No Dig Renovation of an Old Herb/Vegie Bed

posted by Gregory Olsen on July 1, 2011, in postcode 2036

I'm either 100% full steam ahead or a dead stop! After having completed the climbing plant no dig bed renovation I decided to renovate pour old herb/vegie bed located in front of our kitchen. I wanted a no dig version of the same so I recycled some old house bricks, on their side, to raise the height of the bed, placing the pre-existing rocks on top.

Early Stages or Our Renovated Herb No Dig Bed

Here is the initial stages of our renovated, no dig, herb/vegie bed. You can see the bricks on which the rocks sit and the first application of lucerne hay. Existing plants, oregano and rose geranium were pruned.

Vegie Beds Update Movie: July 1, 2011

Here is the latest update of our no dig vegie bed renos thus far. :-)

No Dig Bed For Climbers, Lettuce and Other Leafy Vegies

posted by Gregory Olsen on June 27, 2011, in postcode 2036

Inspired by the success of my oblong raised no dig garden bed, I decided, upon Leeanne's suggestion, to renovate the garden bed which ran along our western fence to accommodate climbers and leafy vegies.

No Dig Climbing Bed Movie

Check out our lovely no dig renovation of our east facing gadren bed. :-)

Climbing Bed with First Layer of Lucerne Hay

Here's the bed cleared of native mulch, which isn't good for growing vegies, and replaced with the first layer of lucerne hay.

Climbing Bed with Alternate Layers of Lucerne Hay and Sheep Poo

Once again, alternate layers of lucerne hay and manure, this time sheep poo, is used to build up the garden bed.

Climbing Bed, with Climbing Wire Installed, and Ready for Action!!

Now the bed is finished, awaiting the plants. Note the chook wire I've nailed on the fence for the snow peas.

Renovated Climbing Vegies Bed #1

A few days after planting the snow peas, lettuce and silverbeet.

Renovated Climbing Vegies Bed #2

A closer look at the snow peas.

Polystyrene Boxes Used For Excess Seedlings

We had rocket seedlings and several excess cos seedlings so I decided to plant them in three of the polystyrene boxes we had left over from the galvanised raised beds. I made a modified no dig set up, filling the boxes with pea straw into which I inserted six small beds of soil for each seedling. It's a bit of an experiment so we'll see how it goes.

Close Up of the Rocket Box

Here's a close up of the box filled with six rocket seedling pockets.

Installing Our Oblong Raised, No Dig, Garden Bed, 04/06/2011

posted by Gregory Olsen on June 6, 2011, in postcode 2036

Sustainability Street Phillip Bay once again on the Live Local hustings!!

Here's the second of our galvanised raised, no dig, garden beds, this time with the innards, sans watering system and plants. We have to reduce the height of our northern boundary native trees to allow enuff light onto the bed during winter. More of that later. Now, check this out!!

Preparing the Soil #1

Here is the first of two shots of the soil into which I'll be placing the oblong garden bed. Note the groove for the tank edge, watering system feeder and weed mat. You can see the first bed I installed in the background. :-)

Preparing the Soil #2

Here is the second of two shots of the soil into which I'll be placing the oblong garden bed. Note the groove for the tank edge, watering system feeder and weed mat.

Adjusting the Bed's Height

Sparing you the detail of me sliding the tank into position on cardboard, here you can see me tilting the tank on two old fence pailings to get under it and tweak the ditch for height and location

Empty Bed in Place

Here's the empty tank settling into it's new home awaiting it's innards!

Recycled Polystyrene Boxes Installed

Using exemplary permaculture principles we've procured polystyrene boxes, which were headed for the tip, from aquarium shops and green grocers for FREE and used them as filler on which to construct our no dig garden.

Recycled Cardboard Layer is Next

Next I laid a layer or two of recycled heavy cardboard from old boxes to raise the height slightly and even out the base.

Recycled Shadecloth Layer

In order to prevent soil loss through the gaps in the polystyrene boxes and the cardbaord as it breaks down, I've laid some recycled shadecloth. Weed mat can be used as well as can some geotextile but the shadecloth was the right price, again FREE!!

First Layer of Lucern Hay and a Bit of Horse Poo

Here you can see the first layer of lucerne hay, about 12 cm thick (they peel off in wads from the bale) with the start of a layer of horse manure.

Greg Separating the Wads

Here you can see me separating the wads of lucerne hay.

Farmer Greg with a Bale of Lucerne Hay

What a pretty picture. ;-)

I've Got Some Horse Poo ............. In My Hand

I couldn't be any happier with a handful of equine excrement as I tidy up the distibution of same.

Oblong Bed Complete

Well, it was getting dark so I didn't take any more photos of the stages, namely another layer of lucerne hay, some more hourse manure, more hay and finally, a layer of straw on top as mulch. So here it is, all finished, well almost, next day.

Still to come is the watering system and plants so watch this space!

Installing Our Oblong Raised, No Dig, Garden Bed, 04/06/2011

Here you see, in progress, the installation of our second, raised, no dig, vegie garden bed. It is designed for people with bad backs who can no longer enjoy the delights of gardening as this bed is kitchen bench height, about 90 cm. Furthermore, it is a NO DIG gardens so that working in it is even more agreeable to the back challenged in our community. :-)

Update of First Garden Bed: Watering System, 25/06/2011

Our oblong raised vegie bed is nearing completion. Here's an update showing how installed a drip watering system.

Update of First Garden Bed: Soil Mix, 25/06/2011

Our oblong raised vegie bed is nearing completion. Here's an update showing the soil mix I used for planting the vegie seedlings.

Update of First Garden Bed: Planting Done, 25/06/2011

Our oblong raised vegie bed is finally completed. Here's an update showing the vegies in situ with the watering system working. Only the flowers, to keep the bugs away, need to be planted.

4 x 4 mm Manifold Outlet

I found these great four x 4 mm outlet manifolds for our watering system. They work perfectly for a grid type planting bed I worked out. By placing each manifold at the corner of four 25 cm squares I can direct a dedicated dripper to the centre of each plot.

Close Up of How to Attach 4 mm Tubing with Dripper to Manifold

Here you can see how to fit a 4 mm tube, with teh dripper attached, to the manifold.

Watering System Finished

Here's a view of the wateringsystem fully installed and awaiting the vegies.

First Planting ..

The first few plants, red cabbage, cauliflower and beetroot on this half of the bed.

Finished Bed

Here's the finished bed with watering system tweaked to each plant's location. The second half is planted out with celery, leek and brown onion. All the vegies are planted according to companion planting principles and all of them are very happy to be next to each other. In fact, I thought I heard them partying last night!!!

Installing Our Round, Raised, No Dig, Garden Bed, 21/05/2011

posted by Gregory Olsen on June 6, 2011, in postcode 2036

Sustainability Street Phillip Bay once again on the Live Local hustings!!

Round Bed on Pavers

Our 1.4m round galvanised garden bed is awaiting installation, resting on cardboard on our pavers to avoid scratching. The bed is 1.1m high and will need to be sunk into the ground to make the sowing surface kitchen bench height, around 90cm.

Watering System Ditch

Here's the trench I dug to house the drip watering system's 13mm feeder pipe. Note the riser which will pop out the top of the bed.

Levelling the Soil

Levelling the soil before digging the trench in which the bed will sit.

Tank Trench

Here's the trench in which I will place the tank to get it to the correct height.

Halfway In ...

I have slid the tank halfway into position on cardboard to avoid damaging it.

Polystyrene Boxes Awaiting Their Fate ....

We decided to fill the space below the no dig garden with recycled polystyrene boxes obtained for free from aquarium shops and grocers. Here they are arranged ready for installation.

Final Tweaking

Here I'm fine tuning the leveling of the bed, propping it up by resting it's edge on old fence palings so that I could excavate under them.

Checking the Level

Checking the level of the bed

Inside the Tank

Looking inside the bed you can see the riser pipe.

Polystyrene Boxes in the Bed

The tank is now filled with the polystyrene boxes

Bed Ready to Go!

Bed in situ awaiting the lucerne hay, manure, straw and watering system to complete the bed.

Wormfarm Workshop & Community Picnic @ Sustainability Street Phillip Bay

posted by Gregory Olsen on May 8, 2011, in postcode 2036

On a magnificent Saturday, May 7, 2011, Sustainability Street Phillip Bay, held wormfarm workshop at Greg and Leeanne's place, ably led by Ania and Leeanne. This was followed by a community picnic at the Fred Williams Reserve opposite our house. Twenty people participated in the workshop while the picnic attracted even more peopl

Leeanne Introduces Us to the Joy of Worms

As Charles Darwin put it, "...it may be doubted if there are any other animals which have played such an important part in the history of the world as these lowly organized creatures." Indeed, we need worms to survive, they don't need us.

Here's a snippet of Leeanne's presentation in which she extolled the benefits of wormfarming.

Ania Takes Us Through Assembling and Looking After a Wormfarm

Here is a short excerpt of Ania's demonstration of how to assemble and look after a wormfarm.

Greg Welcomes Participants

Erudite and without compare, Greg spellbinds the wormfarm workshop participants with a stunning welcoming address. ;-)

Leeanne Informing #1

Leeanne expertly leads the assembled group on a journey into the riches of worms .....

Leeanne Informing #2

Leeanne continues her presentation .....

Leeanne Informing #3

Leeanne continues her presentation .....

Ania Instructing #1

Here we see Ania going through how to assemble and look after a wormfarm.

Ania Instructing #2

Ania continues her presentation ....

Ania Instructing #3

Ania continues her presentation ....

The Happy Wormfarmers!

On a glorious Saturday, May 7, 2011, twenty participants enjoyed a great wormfarm workshop presented by Leeanne and Ania from Sustainability Street Phillip Bay @ Greg and Leeanne's place. Here's the happy wormfarmers in front of a Compost Revolution flag at Oorana Ave, Phillip Bay. Special thanx to the 3 Council Ecological Footprint Project's Richard Wilson and Lauren Michener for their support.

Community Picnic #1

A very artistic shot of Sustainability Street Phillip Bay's community picnic on a glorious Saturday, May 7, 2011, attended by twenty plus local residents. A great time was had by all! Great vegetarian food was supplied by the 3 Council Ecological Footprint Project with special thanx to Richard Wilson and Lauren Michener for their support.

Community Picnic #2

More picnickers!

Community Picnic #3

Here we see a recalcitrant Compost Revolution flag that refused to obey my instruction to face me as I took this photo of Sustainability Street Phillip Bay's community picnic on May 7, 2011. A great time was had by all as we got to know each other a little better and grew closer as a neighbourhood.

Energymark @ Phillip Bay

posted by Gregory Olsen on February 1, 2011, in postcode 2036

Leeanne and I have registered to become convenors for the CSIRO's Energymark program.

"Energymark is helping households and communities reduce their carbon footprints, lower energy usage and save on power bills.

"The program brings people together in small groups to learn about energy and climate change issues, and discuss what they can do to make a difference."

Our Completed Sustainability Retrofit

Here's a photo of our sustainable home retrofit in which you can see our solar hot water system (evacuated tube type), 2.09 kW PV system and, to the right, a glimpse of our 5,500 litre 'whole of house' rainwater harvesting tank. :-)

We're Ready To Run .....

Our first Energymark meeting is on Wednesday, March 2, and we have five participants so far as well as me!! If you want to join up, please contact me ASAP.

Our Phillip Bay Energymark Members

Please meet the members of Phillip Bay Energymark. From left to right Sofie, Raji, Upi, Greg, Robert, Leeanne, Ali and Gary.

Preparing Planting Beds For Climbing Vegies

posted by Gregory Olsen on December 13, 2010, in postcode 2036

Here we have the indefatigable Indra showing how to prepared a garden bed for raising climbing vegies. You'll see six videos all up, detailing the cutting and positioning of the chook wire as well as the actual, live video, of the seeds being sown both in the ground and pots. Support crew included. :-)

Winter Planting #1

Winter Planting #2

Winter Planting #3

Winter Planting #4

Winter Planting #5

One Week Later .....

Here you'll see the seeds being sown into pots as well as an update of the general garden situation at the end of July, 2010

Peas Get Mouldy and Fail ...

I'm sad to say that our winter planting of 2010 failed to yield the bountiful produce we expected. A few pea pods arrived but they we soon affected by mould and had to be pulled out. The passionfruit vine, which we transplanted, is thriving as I type this on June 27, 2011. However, it hasn't produced any fruit as yet. I am in the process of having another go at climbers this winter, in our place this time. Check it out here!

Snow, Sugar Snap Peas & Parsnips

Here's a photo taken on October 5, 2010, of what looks like a very successful growth of various pea plants after our planting in July. But alas, shortly after this photo was taken, the mould arrived and destroyed the crop. I managed to eat a few sugar snap peas and they were delicious. :-(

Remains of the Winter Planting, 13/12/2010

We, here it is, two months later ..... nothing exept some parsnips which Ania told me were thing and stringy. :-( At least the passionfruit vine survived. All we need now is some fruit from it!!

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350.org Global Work Party, 10/10/10: Composting Workshop

posted by Gregory Olsen on October 10, 2010, in postcode 2036

As a part of 350.org's 10/10/10 Global Work Party, Sustainability Street Phillip Bay, with the support of the 3 Council Ecological Footprint Project, held a composting workshop.

Greg Welcoming the Participants

Ania Presenting the Message

Two Jasmine's Signwriting ..

I must mention the other young lady in this photo. It is the indefatigigable Lauren Mitchener, the Food Waste Reduction Officer for the 3-Council Ecological Footprint Project from Waverley Council. Lauren is responsible for the Compost Revolution and the Backyard Educators projects and bringing all the stuff around today. Here she's preparing the onions for the BBQ. Thanx, Lauren for all your support.

Ania After the Activity.

Ania and Jeremy Assembling the Bin Layers

Jeremy was invited to demonstrate the building of the layers in a compost bin. We used an 'imaginary' bin, first laying out the chook wire to stop vermin getting in, followed by dry twigs, then vegie kitchen scraps and finally a layer of dry leaves. It's important to have a two to one ratio of green waste to brown waste.

Compost Bin Hugger and 350.org Sign

One of the elements to this day was to submit a photo to 350.org of the event with a sign. This is the one I chose. :-)

Food Connect Comes To Phillip Bay!

posted by Gregory Olsen on February 14, 2010, in postcode 2036

Food Connect, a "community supporting agriculture (CSA) enterprise that connects farmers with city folk" has arrived at Phillip Bay. My wife and I are City Cousins from whom subscribers pick up their boxes of fruit and vegies each week.

Food Connect Header

Food Connect's First Day

Rosada, Food Connect's produce co-ordinator, on the packing line.

Four Weeks Later ..

As a City Buddy (I need ten subscribers to become a City Cousin) I've been collecting the boxes of fruit and vegies from the Randwick Community Centre on Mondays from 5:30AM and bringing them back home.

The size and quality of the boxes has been improving after some initial hiccups. Everyone at Food Connect is very 'up' and positive as they strive to deliver what the subscribers want.

The Compost Revolution Comes To Phillip Bay

posted by Gregory Olsen on December 20, 2009, in postcode 2036

The Compost Revolution has come to Phillip Bay with four neighbouring households joining to accept delivery of the fantastic Aerobin from the Three Council Ecological Footprint initiative.

Why a compost revolution?

What's In Here?

One of the four families participating in this project, Ania, Indra and Baby Java (Jasmine is off looking for her hat), peer into our new Aerobin. What a fantasic thing this is!! Even I could fit into it! (Don't tell my wife, Leeanne, that!!)

Aerobin In Situ #1

Well, here it is, the mighty Aerobin, proudly erected by Indra and I!

Aerobin In Situ #2

Another view of the state of the art composter!

Aerobin: the Movie Part 1

Here is the first part of the acclaimed video of Indra and I assembling the Aerobin, namely, Aerobin: the Movie! You'll be enamored as you are introduced to the participants in this project. You'll gasp as part of the wall tumbles to ground and just misses us. You'll be in awe as we consult the assembly instructions. You'll cry as this part ends without revealing what Jasmine is holding in her hand .......

Aerobin: the Movie Part 2

In Part 2 we solve the problem of how to keep the walls from falling off and how to assemble the lid. You'll also meet my spouse, Leeanne, who is wearing slippers, and discover the reason Boof ran off. Can you spot the answer to Jasmine's question, "What am I holding in my hand?"

Aerobin: the Movie Part 3

After watching Part 3 you'll be able to answer the following questions:

i) What is the name of the compost recipe we're using?

ii) What is the material I place in first and how deep is it?

iii) Is it possible to video and move mulch at the same time?

iv) What material will I put in the second layer?

v) Are weeds or worms found in my old compost bin?

vi) Does Indra take a fence?

Aerobin: the Movie Part 4

Part 4 is a short examination of the contents of my old compost bin as I extracate some of it for the second layer of the Aerobin. (Please note that this is the answer to question iv) in Part 3.)

Aerobin: the Movie Part 5

Part 5 shows you the compost layer in and ready for topping with next layer, dry leaves.

Aerobin: the Movie Part 6

The final part reveals the completion of the Kick Start recipe. In addition you get a guided tour of our vegie garden which I planted three weeks ago!

Thanx for watching and I hope you enjoyed the ride!! :-)

Wormfarm Workshop, Saturday, April 30, 2011.

Ania and Leeanne are organising our second workshop. This is part of the Compost Revolution's Compost Week which is celebrating International Compost Awareness Week, May 1-7.

Join us on Saturday, April 30, from 11 AM, to learn about setting up your own wormfarm. All participants will get a voucher from Randwaick City Council to pick up a free wormfarm. Here's a link to the website: http://reduceyourfootprint.com.au/events/neighbourhood-compost-events/

Email Leeanne: leeannetyle (at) yahoo (dot) com (dot) au if you wish to take part.

We are also hosting a Phillip Bay Neighbourhood Picnic Lunch at Fred Williams' Park, opposite our place, after the wormfarm workshop, from 12:30 PM. You can come to either or both events, so please email Leeanne if you wish to attend.