Permaculture Blue Mountains

Here are links to some of the articles we have written recently

Bower Birds - Sue Girard Oct 2009

Refrigeration Domestic Solutions - csalter Oct 2009

Geoff Lawton speaks in Sydney - vickistar Sept 2009

Worms - Sue Girard Sept 2009

Purple Potatoes - Sue Girard Sept 2008

Fence Building - Maryanne Bell July 2009

Dark Energy Foods - Brian Coates -  March 2009

For the full list of articles we have written please search the section below. It also contains links to other articles that users on WiserEarth have written. Currently 32 articles are listed.

The next two working bees for Mid Mountains working group are on Sunday 22 November (Rob and Lucy's orchard netting at Katoomba - Email robandlucyji@bigpond.com.) and 6 December  (Michelle's starting a mandala garden at Faulconbridge). Check the events listing for more details. We are also looking for members who want a working bee at their place in Jan and Feb 2010.

Mid & Lower PBM  meets monthly to design and implement permaculture in the Mid and Lower Mountains areas. 

Everyone from any group and their friends are welcome to attend any of these events. Just tell the hosts you intend to come so they can provide lunch or afternoon tea.

Our most recent active working bee was held in Faulconbridge building compost bays with Daniel (danielhatfield).

There are five members in our Upper Mountains group at the moment - Suzanne, Pete, Sue, Michelle and Pat, but if you live elsewhere in the Blue Mountains you are very welcome. Just let the host know so that they can cater for you. 

This small group within the Permaculture Blue Mountains (PBM) that aims to improve community awareness of the availability of locally-grown chemical-free food within the Greater Blue Mountains bioregion, and facilitate communication among existing gardeners and farmers and among the various groups working in this area, eg Blue Mountains Community Gardens, the BM Food Sustainability Group, BM Slow Food and Cittaslow Katoomba BM.

There is a website under construction Blue Mountains Community Harvest where we are sharing local food and ideas about local food.

MaryanneBell has been buying bulk in order to save money and to share goods. If you have surplus and want to share, edit this content to include information and photos.

Sawdust  Free untreated hardwood sawdust available from Branches, 41 Flinders Street, Lawson.  4759 2169.  Best to call in advance to make sure they have some - you have to pick up (no delivery).  These are very large bags of sawdust.  Suitable for compost, wormfarms, pathways.

Rice Hulls to improve soil (add to compost). Minimum quantity of 125kg bale for $65 available from Sun Valley Produce. 

And organic oranges grown in Agnes Banks (Richmond). Contact Jon Downie gumboots1@iprimus.com.au.

HoMi hand plough garden tool available from a Korean grocery shop in Main St Blacktown Ph 98316908.

Straw delivered to your home by Dan.$10 a bale. Mobile 0449 029 373.

Volcanic Rock Dust contact danielhatfield or maggie@ultimatehealth.com.au.

Please feel free to add all your gardening, cooking and all other worthwhile new or old hints and tips.

Try using old metal venetian blinds as plant markers. They can be cut using normal scissors and are able to be neatly stored. You can write on them with either permanent marker or with your gardening pencil.

If you want to add another Tradesperson in this section, please send a Group Message first and canvas the community's views.

Plumbers: David Robilliard, Hazelbrook Plumbing. Mobile 0410747114.

Electricians: Ivan Kasalo, Omega Electrical Services. Mobile 0412131306.

Paul Ruff, Springwood. Mobile 0425259206.

Handymen & Carpenters: Chris Jackson. Phone 47825513.

Gordon Williams (weekends) Mobile 0431937791.

Builders:

Garden Help: Daniel H 0431 383516

Retaining Walls and Driveways:

Tree Surgeon/Arborist: Andrew Penney. Mobile 0427 231 257

The Blue Mountains Fruit and Nut Tree Network has launched a blog. The coordinator and contact person is Anitra Nelson anitran, anitran@aapt.net.au.

A short write up on the latest fruit and nut tree workshop held in Fairy Dell, Springwood during October is now on the blog.

Previously, on Saturday 11 July 2009, Brian Coates and Wayne Levi (Cooerwull Plantsmen, Lithgow) gave a wonderful demonstration of fruit tree pruning at the Blue Mountains Organic Community Gardens in Harold Hodgeson Park in Victoria St. North Katoomba (not far from Katoomba Council Buildings) Blue Mountains Community Gardens. 

They covered OH&S issues, the importance of maintaining clean and sharp equipment, the many reasons for pruning; then under the tuition of Brian and Wayne a group of about 20 participants collectively worked on pruning several fruit trees. Many questions and comments were exchanged and everyone left with greater confidence and knowledge.