I am new to this forum and to permaculture as well. I have always loved to grow things but never been good at it.
I am currently living in Indonesia in a city called Malang. We are in the mountains so we are lucky to have a nice climate which never gets too hot.
The rainy season which the last few years have changed a bit in character should end within the next month or so.
I was actually looking into aquaponics when I sorta came across permaculture. I have since downloaded several books and videos that has given me some ideas of how it works.
I am so excited about it that I am planning to take the designers certificate next year in Malaysia.
Anyway while I am waiting for an oppertunity to get into the action I figured that I would try to see what I can do around the house. On the top of my h ouse (rented house) we have some space that is being used for drying clothes.
I have tried to grow a few potted plants already but have not had much success. I managed to get a few tomatoes before ants and white fly got to them and I have a few eggplants, mint and peas that looks like they are not too damaged.
I would love some suggestions on what to do with the space. I am planning to make some raised beds with a wooden frame and ricesack bottom. I calculated I can fit in about 4sqm of growing space.
I plan to make a transparent roof to protect the plants from the rain which can be very heavy and damaging. I would like to plant tomato, onion, peas, capsicum, lettuce and basil.
If I can find seeds or seedlings I hope to plant some marigold, calendula and wormwood in between to avoid most pests.
Your proposal reads as being very promising, and I believe that you are on the right path towards producing some great food. However, I wonder if you have given much thought to what you are growing the food in? What is the growing medium that you are using? Do you think it is up to the job? Most of the plants you describe are 'gross feeders', and will as such will quickly deplete the available nutrients in your contained garden. I very much like the idea of the rice sacks to allow for some drainage, coupled with the plastic for protection from the heavy rain. But back to the soil - do you have enough room in your rooftop plan (or very nearby) for a composting facility, and maybe even a worm farm? Either of these could be a great addition to your system in terms of converting green waste into material that is suitable for replenishing your soil.
Hooroo, keep up the great work, and make sure that you complete that PDC!
Thanks for the nice welcome. Oh yeah forgot to mention the soil. Well the soil here is black and heavy unfortunately it compacts very easily so not so good for the more delicate plants. My plan is to buy some compost and mix into the soil just to get started while I am making my own compost. I have to read up on the compost info to see what options I have. We eat 90% veggies so its easy to get something to throw into the pile. I also want to convert a bucket into a worm farm of sorts. If my roof could carry the weight I would probably have created some aquaponics setup but that will have to wait till we move.
If you're concerned about weight on the roof, aquaponics is probably better for when you move to another place and set up on the ground.
You will have access to Tilapia and Gourami in Java.
perfect for higher intensity aquaponics.
Tilapia are prohibited in Aust, but are very productive, tough species.
As Mark said, your thinking in the right way to get a good system going for now.
Malang is around 700 Metres above sea level , yeah?
If so, most of the veges you mentioned should be ok at that alt. in the tropics.
some, you might have to grow in the dry season if they're a bit susceptible to mildew etc.
no doubt you'll have access to lots of fast growing tropical greens there.
daun katuk (Sauropus androgynus) is a great productive little leaf vege shrub you can grow from cuttings.
Kang kung, kai lan, petsai, Kacang panjang (snake beans), kecipir (winged beans), Gendola (Ceylon spinach)
,Bayam (Amaranthus), kemangi and selasih (basils), cabe rawit, cabe lombok(chillis) should all be available to you and grow well.
there will be lots more that you'll find looking around in the markets...
ones to look at even for a very basic aquaponics system would be (Kenci) watercress, Kang kong, Pandan, selderi (asian celery) , Daun pudina (mint) etc.
species that normally grow in wet sites.
a more complex aquaponics system with deep beds and you'll be able to grow the other species mentioned above.
please post some pics when you get your garden going however big or small
I'd love to see how you go with it.
( if i was a bit closer to there, I might have even be able to
come over and help you with it- I love tropical gardening...)
:-)
Dane in Indonesia would like some input
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