Welcome to the Journal of the Old Royal Guesthouse and
Gardens. The last two years have seen many changes here. We expect to be making many more in the years ahead, prompting the creation of THE JOURNAL to inform you of our progress.
Our aim through all these changes is to provide a comfortable, relaxing environment for our
guests, following permaculture principals and practices.
A very short "story so far".
In the HOUSE: We have reduced the amount of moisture rising up the walls. This has not only stopped the house from falling down, but also reduced the amount of heat being absorbed into the walls.
In the LIVING ROOM we have; altered the circulation pattern; insulated the cold south wall (allowing us to add some attractive window
seats); increased the amount of winter-sun entering the room and replaced a large area of carpet with ceramic tiles to capture that warmth; and finally installed heavy,
pelmetted curtains to keep the heat in.
We have created a BOOKSHOP, which is not especially energy saving in itself, however, many of the books contain a wealth of information regarding Permaculture, sustainability and other informative and titles. (The BOOKSHOP has recently doubled in size and includes arts and crafts from many of the talented Binalong inhabitants).
In the GARDEN: Our overriding goals are to reduce the amount of lawn, and to create a useful and interesting escape for our guests.
A kitchen garden is being developed full of herbs and vegetables.
An existing Fig tree and some self sown Nectarines herald the start of (eventually) a large and varied orchard.
New flower beds and the bare bones of a large "Permaculture Garden" set the tone for what is to follow.
permaculture@oldroyalbinalong.com.au
July 06
DEEPEST WINTER
All the experts say rest during July. hmmm. Well we are not
experts and have managed to maintain some progress through this
cold, cold month.
We have finished the greenhouse which, whilst not being the
Crystal Palace, should allow us to extend the growing season
somewhat. First we prepared punnets of Peas (two types) then Broad
beans, also tomatoes and capsicum. The good news is that the frost
didn't get them.....................before the mice did! Following
a bout of small-game hunting we are ready to try again.
The Edible Forest
Taking advantage of a mountain of mulch (created when we had some
very LARGE woody weeds cut down), we set to work planting a
selection of apple, medlar, plum, hazelnut and almond trees, a
couple of currant bushes and a Jostaberry. All we need now is some
rain.
December 05
So, that was spring.
The framework is almost completed and we're eating our own vegetables!
After a frantic Spring we can see light at the end of the
tunnel. The labyrinth path layout around the veggie patch is done, the
chook pen has two areas (for crop rotation), and shade structures are up to protect less hardy vegetables.
Among the many crops harvested so far are:
- Broad beans
- Peas-sugar snap and snow
- Cauliflower
- Broccoli
- Silverbeet
- Spinach
- Strawberries
- Herbs too numerous to mention
- and Eggs
We have been trying some 'unusual' plants for a variety of uses....
- Arrowroot-as a weed barrier and windbreak
- Sunflowers-to protect smaller plants and provide food for the chooks
- Flax-as a cover crop, for linseeds (to add to breakfast
cereal), and to harvest for producing linen. The flowers are also very pretty!
- Comfrey and Borage-for adding nutrients to the soil to feed the plants we want to eat.
- Bamboo (the clumping type)-to eat, to eat with, to support plants and to build with.
Pondering sustainability, we realised that fibre for cloth is an underrated
product. Before offering our sheep up for adoption we managed to get a couple of fleeces from
them. Sara has been busy combing, spinning, cleaning and dying the wool, and I have made some tentative steps towards weaving a (small) bolt of
material. We have also been fortunate enough to have been given some Alpaca wool, and some long staple wool. Our intention is to make some linen from our flax, (although the process is arduous) and we have heard that stinging nettles can be used to make fabric (we didn't even have to plant those!).
The picture shows some of the dyes we have tried so far. From left to right the wool is;
- Natural coloured,
- dyed using Rose cuttings,
- dyed using Argyll Apple,
- dyed using Patterson's Curse.
July 05
DEEPEST WINTER
The sheep had just come to the end of their green feed, we had just taken delivery of three hens (just about to start laying) and a handsome rooster (Rastus), when it was confirmed that a permaculture course we had booked to attend was
definitely proceeding.
A very good friend offered to feed the chooks for us (many, many thanks Gillian) and the sheep found their own 'pastures new'. We won't have to prune the roses this year and it will be interesting to see how the bamboo recovers!
Permaculture Design Certificate Course.
This course, run over two weeks, was hosted by John & Sharon Champagne and held at the Rudolf Steiner school in Bega. Theory and practice were interspersed with site visits each demonstrating a number of permaculture design principles.
Can't recommend the course highly enough for all those interested in a sustainable lifestyle and providing a future for our children.
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