This path, seen here in the morning mist, was the first piece of infrastructure placed on the block. The edges required a concreted gutter to prevent road wash-outs, we had two, from heavy rainfalls. An Eastern low can dump 46mm in an hour. |
The Fernmount Food Forest is situated on a north facing, sloping acre on the border of warm temperate and subtropical climate zones on the mid north coast of NSW, 3 minutes from Bellingen. The land is roughly divided into four of the five permaculture zones and horticultural practice generally follows permaculture principles. The property has sold but the original posts are maintained for reference purposes.
Sunday 28 May 2017
How the Fernmount Food Forest Developed
Saturday 27 May 2017
Some perennial food plants for our Coffs Coast climate
Eating local is also better for the planet.
Kang Kong |
Kang Kong grows well in water or moist ground. Here its broad edible leaves are shown with Lebanese Cress growing in a small pond.
Labels:
Basella,
Garlic,
Ginger,
Kale,
Kent Pumpkin,
Mugwort,
Thornless Blackberry,
Turmeric,
Yam Bean
Wednesday 24 May 2017
Some of our food forest trees
If you are searching for suitable fruit and nut trees for a similar climate then this lengthy list may just spark your interest. This food forest is situated on the border of warm temperate and subtropical climate zones. It is only ten kilometres from the NSW coastline and in a river valley,
Of course we have some failures but it has been surprising what subtropical trees will grow on our north facing slope. Indeed our Apple and Apricot trees struggle the most because our winters have insufficient chill factor. I hope the large pics assist with identification.
Persimmon Fuju (Diospyros variety) (right) and Apple trees in the lowest, therefore coldest in winter, south west corner. Fuju is a dwarf variety of Persimmon that does not need bletting. We also grow Tropical Apple (Anna), Pink Lady and Granny Smith apples. We grow Crab Apple (Malus Golden Hornet) as a universal pollinator. It is extremely slow growing. |
Labels:
Abiu,
Amla,
Atherton Almond,
Chinese Raisin Tree,
Dwarf Peach,
Mulberry,
Persimmon,
Valencia Orange,
White Sapote
Location:
Fernmount NSW 2454, Australia
Sunday 21 May 2017
Eating our Fernmount Food Forest weeds.
Take Care: Please ensure you know your weeds before consuming them from your garden. Roadside weeds may have been sprayed or polluted.
These are common edible weeds in the Fernmount Food Forest and the local area.
Ragweed aka Thickhead
Ragweed aka Gynura crepidioides akaThickhead |
Ragweed, Gynura crepidioides |
Okinawa Spinach (Gynura bicolour) |
Gynura crepidiodes, a common weed in the Bellingen valleyThickhead |
"Gynura crepidioides Benth. is a synonym of Crassocephalum crepidioides"
"Crassocephalum crepidioides, also called ebolo, thickhead, redflower ragleaf, or fireweed, is an erect annual slightly succulent herb growing up to 180 cm tall. Its use is widespread in many tropical and subtropical regions, but is especially prominent in tropical Africa. Its fleshy, mucilaginous leaves and stems are eaten as a vegetable, and many parts of the plant have medical uses. However, the safety of internal use needs further research due to the presence of plant toxins. [2]" Ref: Wikipedia
Location:
Fernmount NSW 2454, Australia
Friday 19 May 2017
Chinese Raisin Tree (Hovea Dulcis)
The Chinese Raisin Tree has produced a plentiful crop this season. Last year it fruited, after 7 years, and produced about 20 of its sweet peduncles attached to the inedible seeds. The fruit is quite fibrous but still very useful and as sweet as grape raisins.
The Chinese Raisin Tree, planted for seven years. |
Permaculture Zones applied to the Fernmount Food Forest
Aloe Vera in Zone 1 |
However, we are surrounded by patches of native forest and situated near the Tarkeeth Forest, part native timber plantation and part almost original forest so we regularly see bandicoots, goannas, pythons, Black, Brown and Tree snakes, lizards and plenty of native birds.
Labels:
Apple,
Burdekin Plum,
Coffee,
Grapefruit,
Grevillia,
Lemon Grass,
permaculture,
Persimmon,
zones
Late Autumn, walking in the rain in the FFF.
Labels:
Mango,
Pigeon Pea,
Plum,
Purslane,
Red Cedar,
Saba Nut,
Tea,
White Mulberry,
White Sapote
Saturday 13 May 2017
Morning Autumn Walk
8.30 AM and its time for a stroll with Nick's dog. Down the central path from the house at the front of the block to these indigenous Tree Ferns midway and at a small culvert bridge over a stream bed. We have massive storm events and Easterly Lows can dump a couple of metres of rain over a few days. This bridge has been replaced twice and finally with larger 30cm diameter pipes.
The Tree Ferns are self seeded and I must keep pruning the roots out of the nearby storm-water drain to keep the water flowing.
Labels:
Acalypha wilkesiana,
Ambarella,
Coleus,
Dragon Fruit,
Gramma Pumpkin,
Hog Plum,
Kiwi Fruit,
Mulberry,
Olive,
Passionfruit,
Peach Palm,
Salvia,
Sleeping Hibiscus,
Tree Dahlia,
Tree Fern
Friday 12 May 2017
Annual Edibles, Mainly Vegetables
Labels:
Amaranth,
Brassicas,
Chard,
Coriander,
Cucumber,
Kale,
Kent Pumpkin,
Lemon Basil,
Perpetual Spinach
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