Uses for a transpiration area?

[freak #2]

I've got 2 transpiration areas on my sloping (tiered) block, which the kikuyu just goes crazy for. My ancient 3 wheeled 2 stroke mower and I have come to the mutual decision that the kikuyu has to go. Does anyone have any bright ideas as to what I can plant in these places?

I understand I can't plant anything whose roots will interfere with the pipework or anything for eating, and plants should be able to uptake the water and nutrients effectively. It is in full sun, and the summer here is very hot with a couple of frosts in winter.

[ho-hum]

I would be tempted to grow mulch or chookfood.

Anything annual should be fine although I would be tempted to ginger or galangal. Something easy to cut and carry. I dont know which plants are huge and leafy and grow through your winter.

In the tropics we use papaya as it is reasonably shallow rooted.

When you say transpiration pits are you referring to septic outflow and greywater? My mother was a wealth of information and she used to say that if earthworms were present then the soil was 'safe'.

Cheers

[heuristics]

Hey Freak#2, I love your kelpie atavar – wozhizname?

[freak #2]

Thanks Floot, I'm thinking with your suggestion maybe comfrey or something similar - fast growing, big and leafy. Good for the chooks and a great compost activator. They are septic overflows so i'm pretty sure I can't grow root crops. mmm, lucky you with the tropical fruit!

[freak #2]

This is one half of the crazy kelpie carnival, Calis. There is also a little red female called Bindi. They don't help much with the permaculture but do keep me laughing.

[ho-hum]

Freak,

Love the kelpie. Is it a purebred?

On behalf of a 5yo son I purchased a 'purebred kelpie' from a pet shop. She was black and friendly but I dont know how much kelpie she had in her. I have had trained stock dogs [even had a deerhound that was handy with cattle, pigs, sheep and even lambs] but this kelpie didnt ever show any inclination to work. As she matured she didnt ever really show any kelpie tendencies. Glad she only cost $50 and not $300.

She was happy enough and was a lovely pet with a penchant for chasing butterflies.

cheers

Floot

[freak #2]

Yeah he's a purebred from a farm out at Manildra here in NSW. Like yours he has no interest in stock, but a strange obsession with me throwing leaves in the air for him to catch. When/if i ever have kids I'll be getting them a kelpie too, they are great mates!