Hello from Razorback Range NSW

[gypsie]

Hello all,

delighted to have found this forum...and even better to find out that there are some locals in Picton i think?

I have only fairly recently moved here from the city together with my husband and son ( 2 years old). We have a small acreage of 8.5 acres with a lovely Jersey cow and calf, two sheep 8 chickens and 2 dogs and we have big hopes to be sustainable and live without chemicals....but much much much to learn!!

Would love to meet up with like-minded people....so please don't be shy!

looking forward to meeting some of you in person!

Best,
Gypsie (because that is what my husband tells me I am becoming!) :blush:

[timreverb]

I'm new to this as well, but currently living in Picton and about to submit our plans to build on our block on Razorback.

My wife and I are passionate about the concepts behind Permaculture, but have no practical experience - we need to learn a huge amount!

Hopefully this coming year we will be able to start planning out the land. Would love to compare notes some time.

Cheers - Tim.

[ecodharmamark]

G'day Gypsie (and menagerie)

Welcome to the PRI Forum.

Lovely part of the world you are inhabiting. Looks you you may have already found a 'neighbour' (timreverb). Connecting with community is an integral part of permaculture; glad you found 'us'. Look forward to following and sharing in your journey.

Cheerio, Markos.

[ecodharmamark]

I'm new to this as well, but currently living in Picton and about to submit our plans to build on our block on Razorback.

My wife and I are passionate about the concepts behind Permaculture, but have no practical experience - we need to learn a huge amount!

Hopefully this coming year we will be able to start planning out the land. Would love to compare notes some time.

Cheers - Tim.

G'day Tim

Welcome to the PRI Forum.

Ditto for you, too.

Concerning your (building?) plans that you are about to submit. Do these existing plans fit with an overall (future?) permaculture design? Meaning, it would be shame to site your house, shed, access road, etc., only to later find they are not in the 'right' (in relation to an overall design) position. Dwelling siting (particularly with regards to aspect/slope/zones/sectors) is a very critical component of any permaculture plan.

Check out:

Generic House Siting Considerations (http://www.yourhome.gov.au/technical/fs22.html#rural)

...and from a permaculture perspective (for example):

How to use Sector Analysis in Permaculture Landscape Design (http://www.small-farm-permaculture-and-sustainable-living.com/permaculture_sectors.html)

Looking forward to following your journey too!

Cheerio, Markos.

[gypsie]

Hello Tim and Markos,

Lovely to hear from you both! and thanks for the warm welcome Markos!

Tim - how amazing that you are going to be just up the road...I must admit i am very new to permaculture myself, but very happy and eger to learn as much as possible! would love to compare notes! do you have any animals at present or are you planning to do so? I think i mentioned that we had some and i really want them to be ingergrated into our overall plan, but some of the problems i am facing are things like foxes and i guess also the money to implement the changes - not to mention lack of experience!! but we'll get there bit by bit!

Hope you had a lovely christmas!

Best, Heidi

[timreverb]

Hi Markos, thanks for the feedback and warm welcome.



Concerning your (building?) plans that you are about to submit. Do these existing plans fit with an overall (future?) permaculture design?


YourHome has been our bible for many years of this process now, and the builders and architect we are working with (strawbale and rammed earth!) are experts in low-impact, earth-friendly passive-solar homes.

I won't lie and say we've gone as far as actually mapping out the zones at this stage, but everything in that second link you posted has been in our thinking to arrive at our chosen site, and rough ideas for the remaining structures, vege areas, sheds, etc.

The next step seems to be actually mapping the zones around what we have to work with on the site and what we would like to achieve, and a Christmas present was "earth user's guide to permaculture" which has been inspirational.

We would love to find experienced locals to review our site plans before we start out - the closest active group I am aware of is in the Southern Highlands, which is about 30-60 minutes further south than us.

Cheers, Tim.

[timreverb]

Hello Tim and Markos,

Lovely to hear from you both! and thanks for the warm welcome Markos!

Tim - how amazing that you are going to be just up the road...I must admit i am very new to permaculture myself, but very happy and eger to learn as much as possible! would love to compare notes!

Sounds like we are very much in the same boat - yes we should meet up some time, I'll send you a message with some contact details.


do you have any animals at present or are you planning to do so? I think i mentioned that we had some and i really want them to be ingergrated into our overall plan, but some of the problems i am facing are things like foxes and i guess also the money to implement the changes - not to mention lack of experience!! but we'll get there bit by bit!

None yet as we are only fenced on three sides at present, but this will hopefully be fixed in the next month. Not sure what yet - primary purpose to start would be mowing! Neighbours (long-time locals) have sheep which do well, and there's been alpacas in our street too - but neither seem obviously applicable in permaculture.

We are currently renting on 5 acres and tempted to get some animals for here then transfer them, but the terrain is much rougher and more heavily weeded than the block we own so different animals may thrive better. As ex-city-slickers we're no experts in any aspects of farming. VERY steep learning curve expected!

[Suzane Emanuele]

Hi Gypsie

I also moved to Picton in the last 2 years and very interested in setting up my garden & orchard for sustainable living. Love to meet you for a coffee or Chai to discuss permaculture and hear what you have been doing with your property?

Ciao
Suzane

[gypsie]

Hi Suzane,


thanks for your email. Look I'm probably not your best contact for these things as I have a young boy and am heavily pregnant - so a bit out of action for the time being.

I can however give you a couple of contacts.

There is a Permaculture group that meet up every month in the Macarthur area. Sue is the contact i have there and her number is 0413 480 843

the other group which might interest you is the Razorback Land care group....but as your in Picton it might not be suitable? but if your are interested let me know and I'll see if i can find an email address for you.

Best,
Heidi


Hi Gypsie

I also moved to Picton in the last 2 years and very interested in setting up my garden & orchard for sustainable living. Love to meet you for a coffee or Chai to discuss permaculture and hear what you have been doing with your property?

Ciao
Suzane