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Shawburn
27-11-2011, 12:56 PM
Greetings, We have started a 1ha FF in the northwest.
Planting fruit and nut trees combined with indigenous fruiting trees.
My idea is to have a very natural system where the indigenous trees and Fruit and Nut trees grow side-by-side.
We want to create some areas with open spaces for growing some perrenial and annual veg
that are protected by the larger trees.
I also want to try to plant in such a way that there will be at least 6-8 blocks that can be "paddocked" with a moveable net for chickens. We dont plan on keeping other animals.
The area is dry, 1400m altitude, 550mm summer rain pa, none in winter, 30C+ in summer light frost in winter.
Drought proofing for winter is important.
Some trees have been planted last season, most have survived.
Creating Guilds around trees are a priority this season, but growing veg is too.
Hope to find some useful hours here.
ps. I have abandoned the "other' forum as a result of the hatfield issue.

ecodharmamark
06-12-2011, 09:41 PM
G'day Shawburn

Welcome to the PRI Forum.

Reads like you are off to a great start there in RSA (where's that?).

How well are you getting along with your neighbours?

Cheerio, Markos

Shawburn
07-12-2011, 10:12 AM
Thanks Markos,
RSA is Repuplic of South Africa..
The Food forrest I want to be as a natural system.
It must resemble a forrest yet all the plants and trees should be either edible or have a clear purpose.
That may be feeding chickens, humans or birds, used as coppice for mulch or wood for various purposes.
It has a slight slope. The soil is in need of building up as it was burnt regularly, so dilligently prevent any possibility of fire.
I just got some Moringa seeds and they will join the other trees soon. Hope they do well in the dry climate.
All our rain comes in summer when plants grow and very little in winter.
My focus will be on drought proofing, thus also growing in wider spacing and growing drought tolerant plants.

mike
07-12-2011, 10:04 PM
maybe markos you might want to get your head out of all those terribly thought provoking books your always quoting and put it in the real world.Do a John Butler!