Only two days to go til planting season, Spriggers! So grab your seeds and get ready to plant South Africa…  Planting Season is an initiative to get South Africans to plant an organic vegetable in their home or office on 23rd September.

Add your name to the list and learn the basics of organic gardening from some of the top experts in the country! Don’t forget to take photos and upload to the site. You can see the photo gallery here.

Happy Planting Day!

Scott

Still and nursery in Hogsback

As many of you know, I keep returning to Hogsback, and Essential Amathole is one of the reasons. This initiative follows an incredible approach to sustainable rural economic development in 4 ways. Firstly, it is based on a public-private-community partnership. Participation in this manner allows for equitable, responsible and sustainable development, and is a model that can (and should) be replicated as a priority for any development. Secondly, there are both direct and indirect beneficiaries. Not only is the project addressing severe unemployment in the region, but it has established a community trust that holds 24.8% of the profits, the proceeds of which go into a wide range of community-based organisations and initiatives. Thirdly, the business itself is based on environmentally sustainable methods. All farming is organic and focused primarily on indigenous plants endemic to the Eastern Cape. Finally, it is essential oils so it smells absolutely wonderful!

Here are some pictures I took of the nursery in Hogsback:

Nursery

Rose geranium nursery

Here are some close ups of the crops:

Rose geranium

Lavendar

Lemon balm

The project is still in its second phase of implementation so there are a lot more exciting possibilities emerging daily. I would highly recommend a visit if you are anywhere near those parts. It is a great example of an environmentally sustainable economic development model. And all the sites smell fantastic!

Food Garden 2.0

Anyhoo, now to the steps…

STEP 1: Brick Layout

Lay out an area for your bed using some bricks.

Brick Layout

STEP 2: Paper Layer

Put down a layer of old cardboard and/or paper and moisten it.

Paper Layer

STEP 3: Dead Matter Layer

Create a layer of dead matter. We used leaves collected from the garden.

Dead Matter Layer

STEP 4: Green Matter Layer

Put down a layer of green matter. We used leaves from unwanted trees in the garden.

Green Matter Layer

STEP 5: Activator

Create a layer using an activator. We used kraal manure. Wet this layer.

Activator / Kraal Manure

STEP 6: Top Soil

Put down a layer of top soil and plant some seeds / seedlings.

Top Soil

Seeds and seedlings

]]> http://www.sprig.co.za/2009/10/permaculture-food-garden-2-0/feed/ 12 http://www.sprig.co.za/2009/07/organic-veges/ http://www.sprig.co.za/2009/07/organic-veges/#comments Thu, 09 Jul 2009 07:04:49 +0000 Helen http://sprig.co.za/?p=650 Khanyisa Projects is assisting in the implementation of community garden projects in the eThekwini Municipality as part of the Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) Programme. The garden groups (from KwaMashu, Mzinyathi & Maphephetheni) will be selling their produce at the I Heart Market between 8h30 – 13h00 on Saturday, 11 July at St Mary’s Church in Windermere Rd, Greyville (next to Bean Bag Bohemia).

Stock up on organically grown veggies and support the growers in their endeavours. Contact Bev 072 425 2754

We then set about planting the bed with a mixture of seedlings and seeds.  We alternated rows between plants that grow up (such as lettuce) and plants that grow down (such as carrots) as these plants require different nutrients from the soil.  We planted broccoli, spinach, carrots, radish, egg plant, green pepper, lettuce, green beans and spring onions, with marigolds interspersed throughout to deter pests.

Lastly, we put a thick mulching (of dry grass) on top of the soil and watered heavily.  This was just over a week ago and my mom has reported that some of the seedlings are already up.  Will visit her on the weekend with my camera and report back next week.

My very own permaculture garden.

The workshop was well attended and dealt with some fascinating topics, including the principles of permaculture, soil conditioning, compost heaps and fertility beds, companion planting and pest management.  I will go into each of these in more detail in later posts but I am amazed by what is achievable through using materials that are freely available in your house and garden.

Durban Botanic Gardens Permaculture Training Centre.

I came across these courses offered by Dovehouse Organic Farms and think I may attend one.  Has anyone gone to them?  Anyone want to come with me?

From their promotional material:

The aim of these courses is to introduce the learners to the subjects and to provide the learners with the necessary hands on skills to implement the techniques for themselves. Course manuals are supplied with each workshop.

Compost w/shop
1. The how to of worm farming
2. Preparation of  homemade organic liquid fertilizers
3. Preparation of  biological inoculants for the garden and composting systems
4. The how to of organic compost production
5. Plants you can grow for compost making

Companion planting w/shop
1. Introduction to companion planting  and viewing examples in the gardens
2. Pest and disease management through companion planting
3. Hands on companion planting exercises
4. How to work with your companion plants

Introduction to plant propagation techniques
1. Plant propagation systems i.e. Nursery’s, Irrigation, Propagation beds
2. Hands on propagation exercises
3. Seed saving techniques

Introduction to permaculture garden design and bed preparation
1. Energy efficient design ideas i.e. runoff water, wind, sun
2. Garden pioneering steps
3. Cultivation techniques
4. Bed preparation

Email them on dovehouse@telkomsa.net.