my work in progress

[macey]

Hope this works.....
A link to my facebook pics of my vege's etc.
The pics are in no particular order but show my chook rotation in the vege patch, the beginning of the transformation from orchard to food forest and my citrus and herb garden http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=139789&id=720765179&l=58d6e8d090

[purplepear]

impressive photos macey - I wonder if you need a facebook account to view them? Well done.

[macey]

I believe that it is a public link....so anyone can view?
well thats what the blurb at the bottom of the facebook page i linked from lol

[purplepear]

Kool I didn't know that -Ta

[pebble]

I could see it without being logged into FB. There was one photo link that wouldn't work though.

I agree with PP, lovely garden and photos.

[hardworkinghippy]

Yes, lovely gardens Macey - and that organic pesticide looks impressive !!

[macey]

Here are some more pics of the food forest transition: We are retro-fitting an established orchard and turning it slowly into a FF. I have some interesting plans for drought proofing and supply of high quality nutrients to the system, which I will share with you all when I have worked out some details ;-))
I apologise for the overly simple explainations with some of the photos, these photos are from my facebook account and are aimed at getting non-permaculturalists interested in the concepts!
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150300540540180.385579.720765179&l=a9b99ff084

[annette]

Looks fabulous Andrew. Gave me some great ideas as I am thinking about doing the same thing. the cockatoos and lorikeets seem to like it too!! Please post more piccies as time as goes. Thanks

[purplepear]

nice work Andrew - it all looks fabulous

[macey]

I am splitting my permie photo's on FB into individual systems and themes...... they are viewable to all even without a FB account... here are some links:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150323190930180.393045.720765179&l=4f2e87167a&type=1
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150300540540180.385579.720765179&l=a9b99ff084&type=1
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150301287960180.385923.720765179&l=7e7a5f6310&type=1
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150301286105180.385921.720765179&l=78267e9427&type=1
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150300551155180.385584.720765179&l=f4a454f61b&type=1

[macey]

comments and suggestions, especially on the design, gratefully recieved:nod:
I'll add a reply to let you know when I add new photo's to any of the albums

[macey]

it's a shame the last comment above started on page 2 as I just added new links on page 1 so flick back 1 page for photos!!

[macey]

Heres the link https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150339631685180.398084.720765179&l=1003cabf73&type=1
to another album, another zone 1 area under construction, that will contain a walnut offering a yield of err walnuts lol as well as deciduous shade from afternoon sun for the house and annual and perennial herb beds as well as a cane fruit area and also a source of mulch in the form of the dropped leaves for the beds in the system.... this area will also have raised wicking beds for annual herbs as well as the perennial border I have already mentioned.
some existing trees have been felled for fire protection reasons as well as allowing light in and making room for the beds. the felled trees are yielding mulch for the perennial beds and firewood. I'll keep the album and this post updated as work continues!

[LonerMatt]

Macey, I was having a look at some of your FB pictures. What type of compost/manure are you using? Your beds look so productive and lush!

I might have to add you on FB to have a more convenient squiz.

[macey]

Macey, I was having a look at some of your FB pictures. What type of compost/manure are you using? Your beds look so productive and lush!

I might have to add you on FB to have a more convenient squiz.
compost wise mostly my own from a cold composting system using all and everything generated from the house and garden as well as a big pile of dark compost left behind by the previous owners. the chickens go over the beds twice a year supplying manure although I did buy in one lot of extra organic compost when I had a shortage of chickens following a dog attack. I mulch heavily and often chop and drop plants left after harvest. Thats about it really! Please feel free to add me on FB!!
regards
Macey

[annette]

I have to say after looking at all the photos that you are an inspiration. It looks great.

[macey]

some new photos in a couple of the albums :-)
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/set=a.10150301286105180.385921.720765179&l=78267e9427&type=1
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/set=a.10150301287960180.385923.720765179&l=7e7a5f6310&type=1
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/set=a.10150300549115180.385582.720765179&l=dd241f4305&type=1
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/set=a.10150300540540180.385579.720765179&l=a9b99ff084&type=1

[annette]

Hi Macey, may be my computer but the links doesn't seem to work.

[macey]

Hi Macey, may be my computer but the links doesn't seem to work.
yeah i'm not sure whats going on, always worked previously..... i'll check my FB account and try and work it out

[macey]

seem to be working now

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150301287960180.385923.720765179&l=7e7a5f6310&type=1
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150301286105180.385921.720765179&l=78267e9427&type=1
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150300549115180.385582.720765179&l=dd241f4305&type=1
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150300540540180.385579.720765179&l=a9b99ff084&type=1
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150323190930180.393045.720765179&l=4f2e87167a&type=1

[LonerMatt]

With the bed that chickens are clearing, in the last photo in the album, how long does it take them to reduce all the greenery left over, clear the bed and fertilise it?

[macey]

With the bed that chickens are clearing, in the last photo in the album, how long does it take them to reduce all the greenery left over, clear the bed and fertilise it?

Hey Matt,
I find a fortnight to be adequate, but I'm allowing 3 weeks per bed this year. More to get a better spread as far as having a continuous supply of veg. Last year we still found we had feast and famine at times lol.
The bed is mostly cleared already after about 4 days. We were a bit worried that it wouldn't be as quick to be cleared this time round as the birds are not confined to the bed, they can always go back to the main run and coop/greenhouse unless we are home to close the entry to the bed while they are in there. Doesn't seem to be an issue though it helps to throw in some feed pellets to encourage them in and scratching. Still needs more time to get the amount of chicken s--t it requires though! I'll take some progress photos to give an idea.....

[macey]

there are 2 new photos showing how quickly the chooks can clear a bed. 8 of the 10 working this bed are only pullets as well so would be even quicker with full grown birds!
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150301287960180.385923.720765179&l=7e7a5f6310&type=1

[LonerMatt]

Day-UMMM.

So that was, what, 2 days? 3 days?

[macey]

yeah about 4 days

[macey]

the bed is now completely clear of all greenery, I'll give the girls another week to fertilise, and scratch in any extra dressings I think will be useful, some wood ash and possibly a little extra compost.

[mischief]

One thing to be aware of is if you leave them on longer than the 2 weeks reccommended you could run into a situation where you have too much nitrogen in/on the bed.

I discovered this when I felt I had to leave the chooks on a couple of beds for a month each.
Some things than need alot of nitrogen did really well but things like beans didnt and just produced alot of greenery.

I suppose this could be turned to advantage by planting nitrogen hungry things on these spots.

[macey]

good point.... i'll give them the week and be careful with my plantings!

[mischief]

They'll be fine with the chooks on for two weeks, just not 4 which I wont ever do again.

[eco4560]

One way to circumvent this is to use a modified deep litter system. Throw shredded paper, hay or something carbon rich into the dome to make a nice thick layer. When the chooks move on scoop it up and compost it. You'll have captured much of the manure, and added some carbon to the bed so you don't end up with a smelly ammonia pile, and have the beginnings of really good compost. It creates extra work, but if there's a good reason to not move the chooks it'll stop you having a nonproductive bed for 6 months.

[macey]

One way to circumvent this is to use a modified deep litter system. Throw shredded paper, hay or something carbon rich into the dome to make a nice thick layer. When the chooks move on scoop it up and compost it. You'll have captured much of the manure, and added some carbon to the bed so you don't end up with a smelly ammonia pile, and have the beginnings of really good compost. It creates extra work, but if there's a good reason to not move the chooks it'll stop you having a nonproductive bed for 6 months.
thats a good idea eco, I think i'll do that for the 3rd week on the next bed (bed 3) it'd crossed my mind to dump all of the mulch for the bed on in the last week for them to pick through, which could then just be raked level and the bed planted....... I don't think over fertilisation will be an issue if they are on the bed for 3 weeks as they don't spend all there time on the bed, they still have access to the main chook run as well as the coop throughout the day.