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You are here: Home / Archives for Permaculture Education

April 22, 2020 by Ronni Martin

Homemade seed raising mix

By Michael Wardle, NSCF Adult Education Co-ordinator

One of the things when having your own garden is the ability to keep it going through sowing your own seeds. While some seeds benefit from a direct sow into the garden bed, many survive and thrive when they are planted in seedling trays first.

While you can spend a lot of money on seed raising mix, it is much easier and cheaper to be able to do it yourself. Typically, this can be done at home using things that we already have available to us and more so if you have your own compost and worm farm.

Below is a variant of a recipe I was introduced to years ago, which I use today. It is based on what I have in my local community that is readily available

3 parts sifted worm castings

2 parts copra

1 part river sand

Mix well.

First off, I sift my worm castings  (vermicompost) so that they have an excellent tilth and remove any of the large chunks. While worms can have a simple diet and survive, to get the best vermicompost to use for seed raising mix or even in your garden, the more varied and diverse their diet the better.

I do not have a commercial sieve, but I built my own out of an old casement window frame and some fine chicken mesh. I tend to do batches of sieved vermicompost, so I have bins with lids to store it until it is needed.

Copra is the dried ground kernel of the coconut. You can purchase it at most produce stores. It is typically used to supplement the feed of animals, but due to its protein content it is also an excellent supplement for the microbes in the soil (which is fantastic for seed raising mix, which in turn ends up in our gardens). You can use coir instead of copra if you prefer.

I use river sand as it’s grains are large enough to help stop compacting in the mix and it allows the water to flow so that the seedlings do not become waterlogged.

Once the vermicompost is ready I use a large measuring cup and take 3 parts of worm castings, 2 parts copra and 1-part river sand and place them in a large bucket.

Mix well. Then mix well again. Then mix well again.

The idea is that each of the three ingredients is evenly distributed across the mix.

From there it is a simple step of filling the seedling trays, add the seed, and then I  sieve a small amount of the seed raising mix on top to cover the seeds, then it all gets a good misting.

All that’s left to do is to care for the seedlings and plant them out when they are ready.

I have found this mix relatively inexpensive and has excellent results.  So, start where you are, use what you have and get into it!

Filed Under: Permaculture Education Tagged With: Gardening, info, Organic Gardening, Useful Information, Worm Farm

August 22, 2019 by Ronni Martin

Call out for Australasian Permaculture Convergence 2020 Workshop Presenters

 

Northey Street City Farm will be hosting the next Australasian Permaculture Convergence (APC) at Redland Bay near Brisbane from 20 to 23 April 2020. More information about the APC is available on www.apc.nscf.org.au. Tickets are on sale through the website now.

There will also be a Permaculture and Community Gardens Festival on Sunday 19 April 2020 at Northey Street City Farm in Windsor, Brisbane. The Festival will showcase community gardens and permaculture projects. If you are a community garden or permaculture project interested in having a stall at the Festival, please email Simon Calcinai on markets@nscf.org.au.

Submissions are now open for presentations and workshops during APC2020.

The overall theme for APC2020 is Celebrating Nature’s Abundance. We are calling for submissions for workshops covering topics relevant to the three ethics of Permaculture, which are Earth Care, People Care and Fair Share.

All workshops will be 90 minutes long, and we expect presenters to include some audience participation in the workshop.

90-minute workshop application form:  https://forms.gle/rTJK6oidxwYSov628

There will be opportunities for some 10-minute presentations or project reports one evening and a project poster display area to share your projects with everyone at the Convergence.

10 minute presentation application form:  https://forms.gle/NadykVU3YAQTgacd9

Please fill in the relevant application form outlining your proposal to the selection panel. The panel will review all submissions and choose those that will complement each other and provide balance, depth and spread to the program.

Absolute DEADLINE for submissions is 5 pm on Tuesday 29 October 2019.

We’ll notify all applicants by 1 December 2019.

 

Filed Under: Permaculture Education Tagged With: Education, Events, permaculture, Workshops

May 21, 2019 by Desi Achilleos

August 2019 Permaculture Design Course at Northey Street City Farm

Saturday, 3 August 2019 at 8:30 am – Saturday, 16 November 2019 at 4:30 pm
8.30am-4.30pm

Come join us for our 25-year Silver Jubilee Permaculture Design Course. For 25 years Northey Street City Farms has held up the standard of sustainable living in the city and we invite you to come participate and begin your journey with us.

To Book CLICK HERE

“Visions of an Ancient Wisdom”

This unique course, delivered over 16 weeks in Brisbane, gives you the knowledge and skills to observe and design from the natural patterns to create productive gardens & properties, grow your own food, apply appropriate technologies, learn to use resources wisely, build on living systems and rebuild communities.
Learn to:
• Build Resilience through Connectivity
• Facilitate Regeneration of the Earth
• Create Abundance through Design

The Permaculture Design Course (PDC) builds from its foundation in the ethics and design principles to strategies giving you the techniques and tools to inspire critical thinking.

YOU WILL LEARN

• the history of permaculture and agriculture and the foundational concepts of the permaculture ethics and design principles
• to design from ecological pattern literacy, systems thinking, using Ethics and Design principles, designing from the whole, differentiated into parts
• to use the Scale of Permanence to give realistic outcomes for any design
• climate analogues and how varied mirco-climates affect your site
• the patterns of our intent and that of our landscapes, elements and their functional connections in your design to minimize waste
• to savour our soils: soil biology, amendments, uses and putting it all together
• about trees and forests and how we can integrate them into our systems
• how we can cultivate our ecology to produce food based on our unique needs by including annuals, perennials, forest gardens and animals into our systems
• to enhance our communities and local economies through social permaculture design
• a practical understanding of the design process through group and individual design work

INCLUDED IN YOUR COURSE FEE
• Rosemary Morrows ‘Earth Users Guide to Permaculture’
• Extensive resources and handouts to complement course outcomes
• Teachers whose conceptual understanding of the permaculture design process complements their broad range of knowledge and experience to create an immersive learning environment
• Hands on experience at a 25 year old permaculture site in Brisbane
• An experience of COMMUNITY & FUN

COST 

$1140/ $873 Health Care Card Holder Early Bird Discount (full payment one month prior to course commencement) + Eventbrite Booking Fee 

$1250/ $930 Health Care Card Holder + Eventbrite Booking Fee

To avoid booking fees you can pay by direct deposit to:
Northey Street City Farm  BSB: 313-140 Account Number: 120 459 54
After you have paid by direct deposit, please email us to let us know the date of payment

To book for the August 2019 Course at Northey Street City Farm CLICK HERE

Enquiries
Phone: (07) 3857 8775 (Tuesday -Thursday, 10am-4pm)   Email: adultedn@nscf.org.au


Each of our NSCF Permaculture Design Courses has one part-scholarship position available at half price (totaling $625) for a First Nations Australian. If you are interested in this opportunity please contact Ronni Martin on educationandsupport.mgr@nscf.org.au or call the office on 3875 8775.

To apply for a First Nations part-scholarship, complete the application form HERE.

 

 

“Thought provoking, inspirational and informative – whether you are planning for a farm, house or unit. Everywhere I now look I see patterns, choices and opportunities…” Mark Lacy, PDC student


Bookings and Payment Options

Places are limited in most courses and workshops so book now. Bookings for the PDC require payment of a deposit of $300 ($240 Health Care Card holders.) Deposits are non-refundable if enrollment is cancelled less than two weeks prior to course commencement. There is a discount for payment in full one month prior to course commencement.

The balance from the deposit can be made by direct debit here:

Name: Northey Street City Farm  BSB: 313-140 Account Number: 120 459 54
After you have paid by direct deposit, please email us to let us know the date of payment

Course cancellations

We understand that sometimes circumstances change and participants may not be able to attend a course or workshop that has been paid for. For Permaculture Design Courses (PDC), deposits are non-refundable if enrollment is cancelled less than two weeks prior to course commencement. Exceptions may be made in cases of serious illness, sickness or emergencies. Once the PDC course has commenced, course payments are not refundable. However, if students need to withdraw from the course due to illness or emergency, exceptions may be made.

For shorter courses (Introductory weekend courses etc) we require a minimum of 7 days notice for cancellations. We do not provide refunds for any cancellations that are made within 7 days of a workshop. If participants cancel participation in a course and are entitled to a refund, they can opt for a credit for another course, to be used within 12 months of the original date of course commencement, instead of a refund.

Cancellations of courses and sessions by Northey Street City Farm:

  • Northey Street City Farm (NSCF) may cancel or change a class at any time, for reasons including but not limited to, lack of participation, inclement weather or facilitator availability.
  • Registrants can opt for a full refund, or can use the credit for a future workshop, to be used within 12 months of the date of the initial workshop or course.

Filed Under: Permaculture Education

January 8, 2019 by Ronni Martin

Feb 2019 Permaculture Design Course

Come join us for our 25-year Silver Jubilee Permaculture Design Course on Saturdays from 9 February to 25 May 2019.

“Visions of an Ancient Wisdom”

This unique course, delivered over 16 weeks in Brisbane, gives you the knowledge and skills to observe and design from the natural patterns to create productive gardens & properties, grow your own food, apply appropriate technologies, learn to use resources wisely, build on living systems and rebuild communities.
Learn to:
• Build Resilience through Connectivity
• Facilitate Regeneration of the Earth
• Create Abundance through Design

The Permaculture Design Course (PDC) builds from its foundation in the ethics and design principles to strategies giving you the techniques and tools to inspire critical thinking.

YOU WILL LEARN

• the history of permaculture and agriculture and the foundational concepts of the permaculture ethics and design principles
• to design from ecological pattern literacy, systems thinking, using Ethics and Design principles, designing from the whole, differentiated into parts
• to use the Scale of Permanence to give realistic outcomes for any design
• climate analogues and how varied mirco-climates affect your site
• the patterns of our intent and that of our landscapes, elements and their functional connections in your design to minimize waste
• to savour our soils: soil biology, amendments, uses and putting it all together
• about trees and forests and how we can integrate them into our systems
• how we can cultivate our ecology to produce food based on our unique needs by including annuals, perennials, forest gardens and animals into our systems
• to enhance our communities and local economies through social permaculture design
• a practical understanding of the design process through group and individual design work

INCLUDED IN YOUR COURSE FEE

• Rosemary Morrows ‘Earth Users Guide to Permaculture’
• Extensive resources and handouts to complement course outcomes
• Teachers whose conceptual understanding of the permaculture design process complements their broad range of knowledge and experience to create an immersive learning environment
• Hands on experience at a 25 year old permaculture site in Brisbane
• An experience of COMMUNITY & FUN

Saturdays, 9 February to 25 May 2019

COST

$1140/ $873 Health Care Card Holder Early Bird Discount (full payment one month prior to course commencement).

$1250/ $930 Health Care Card Holder

For more information and to book see our PDC page here

Eventbrite - February 2019 Permaculture Design Course

For 25 years Northey Street City Farm has held up the standard of sustainable living in the city and we invite you to come participate and begin your journey with us.

Filed Under: Permaculture Education Tagged With: NSCF, permaculture, Permaculture Design Course

June 26, 2018 by Ronni Martin

Brisbane Permaculture Design Course starts 11 August 2018

This unique course, delivered on Saturdays over 16 weeks gives you the knowledge and skills to observe and design from the natural patterns to create productive gardens & properties, grow your own food, apply appropriate technologies, learn to use resources wisely, build on living systems and rebuild communities.

Learn to:

Build Resilience through Connectivity

Facilitate Regeneration of the Earth

Create Abundance through Design

DATES:   Saturdays, from 11th August to 24th November 2018
COST:   $1450/ $1130 Health Care Card Holder (GST Inclusive)

INCLUDED IN YOUR COURSE FEE

  • Rosemary Morrows ‘Earth Users Guide to Permaculture’
  • Extensive resources and handouts to complement course outcomes
  • Teachers whose conceptual understanding of the permaculture design process complements their broad range of knowledge and experience to create an immersive learning environment
  • Visit to Crystal Waters where we will explore how these landholders have implemented permaculture design concepts into their lives
  • An experience of COMMUNITY & FUN

To BOOK a place on this course CLICK HERE


YOU WILL LEARN

  • the history of permaculture and agriculture and the foundational concepts of the permaculture ethics and design principles
  • to design from ecological pattern literacy, systems thinking, using Ethics and Design principles, designing from the whole, differentiated into parts
  • to use the Scale of Permanence to give realistic outcomes for any design
  • climate analogues and how varied micro-climates affect your site
  • the patterns of our intent and that of our landscapes, elements and their functional connections in your design to minimize waste
  • to savour our soils: soil biology, amendments, uses and putting it all together
  • about trees and forests and how we can integrate them into our systems
  • how we can cultivate our ecology to produce food based on our unique needs including annuals, perennials, forest gardens and animals into our systems
  • to enhance our communities and local economies through social permaculture design
  • a practical understanding of the design process through group and individual design work

 

“Thought provoking, inspirational and informative – whether you are planning for a farm, house or unit. Everywhere I now look I see patterns, choices and opportunities…” Mark Lacy, PDC student
More Info on our PDC page or Email: adultedn@nscf.org.au  or Ph: 38578775       

To BOOK CLICK HERE

 

 

 

Filed Under: Permaculture Education Tagged With: Courses, permaculture, permaculture course, Permaculture Design Course

May 3, 2018 by Desi Achilleos

Learn How to Compost at Home

Sat 12 May 2018 • 9:00am – 12:00pm at Northey Street City Farm

Free

Celebrate International Compost Awareness Week at this interactive workshop.

This workshop will cover the basics of composting, worm farming and the Bokashi fermentation composting system including; setting up, managing and maintaining different compost systems, how to choose the best system for your home and options for using second hand materials to set up your system.

This event is facilitated by Krystelle Ellaby from Northey Street City Farm.

To book CLICK HERE

Filed Under: Farming, Nursery, Organic Farmers Market, Permaculture Education Tagged With: NSCF, Organic Gardening, Useful Information

February 8, 2018 by Desi Achilleos

NSCF February E-News

Every month we publish a free newsletter which lets people know what is happening at the farm.

To subscribe fill in your email HERE

To read February’s E-News CLICK HERE

 

 

Filed Under: eNews, Farming, Nursery, Organic Farmers Market, Permaculture Education Tagged With: NSCF, organic, permaculture

December 5, 2017 by Ronni Martin

Christmas menu and gift ideas

Northey Street Christmas Eve Markets
24 December 2017 from 6am to 11am

Our City Farm Nursery will also be open from 6am to 12pm to pick up any last minute gifts.

Embrace a sustainable and green festive season with Northey Street City Farm by supporting local farmers, makers and businesses.

The holiday season can take a toll on the environment. By shopping directly from local businesses and farmers markets, buying Australian-made and from local makers, and reducing waste, you can not only make the Christmas season more sustainable, but also save money and have a positive impact on your community.

Northey Street Organic Farmers Markets

Northey Street Organic Farmers Markets is the one stop shop for locally sourced, seasonal, organic and fair trade produce.  As well as having the best variety of organic fruit and veg, our stall holders also offer organic, locally sourced grains, eggs, oil, and dairy.

 

 

Your sustainable Christmas feast

  • Christmas Hams, also offering organic and ethical lamb, beef, chicken and pork, from Brisbane Certified Organic.
  • Beef and lamb – 100% certified organic and grassfed from Kialla Organic.
  • Blueberries – certified organic, naturally grown from Hampton Blue.
  • Mince pies – gorgeous spelt mince pies from Sol Breads.
  • Gingerbread houses – from Montrose Fine Biscuits.
  • Healthy drinks and sauerkraut – made in Brisbane, from Buchi Kombucha.

Ethical Gift Ideas

Shop local! Many gifts come from halfway around the world, and the impact of their transportation contributes to greenhouse emissions and global warming. Love having artists and craftspeople in your neighborhood? Reduce your emissions and support a sustainable local economy at the same time.

Check out some of the ethical gift ideas from our stallholders:

  • A-zumble-zay – one of a kind hand-crafted felt products. handmade hats, purses & bags, jewellery, scarves, soaps and toys are just some items available.
  • Lesley Hurley Ceramics – artisan tea wares and table wares. Porcelain and Stoneware.
  • Happy Flame Candles – candles! Beautiful, non-toxic, handcrafted and 100% local and made from organic beeswax. Paraffin candles are made from petroleum residue and are no good for your health or for the environment. Candles made from beeswax are eco-friendly because they biodegrade and are smoke-free.
  • Herbal Gardener – fresh, natural skin care. Made with calendula oil, 100% certified biodynamic Australia.
  • Ilo Organics – cold process soaps made with organic plant oils- chemical, colouring & fragrance free, organic essential oils blended for lifestyle support, mineral bath salts blended with premium BP graded ingredients & organic essential oils and 100% recycled sterling silver jewellery
  • Little Deer Studios – stationery with soul, handcrafted notebooks and unique eco-friendly gifts hand crafted in Australia from recycled and eco-friendly materials
  • Mamitas Fair Trade – one of a kind handmade pieces- woven with stories from faraway lands, modern bohemian, ethical and fair trade.
  • Miessence – products are certified organic skincare, personal care, home care and superfood products –  probiotics, protein powder etc.
  • My Heart Beats Green – funky organic cotton clothing for babies, kids, women and men, made in Brisbane.
  • Yaku Latin Goods – amazing chocolate! Yaku Latin Goods is a social entrepreneurial business that promotes ethical Latin American products in Australia, aiming to weave cultural bridges between both continents, while supporting social projects.
  • Rueby’s Workshop – furniture made of reclaimed timber by Brisbane based Reuben Schafer.
  • Bel Aqua Gardens – invite nature into your home with innovative vertical garden designs.

 

Sustainable Christmas ideas from City Farm Nursery

  • Christmas trees – a live potted tree is a terrific alternative to something commercially grown with chemicals, or mass produced and plastic. If you live in a small space, you can also create a Christmas tree alternative by decorating a potted plant.
  • Plants make the best presents. Giving plant gifts for Christmas has always brought joy – even before “green” was a trend. So, for this year’s holiday shopping, get back in touch with a time-honored tradition. City Farm Nursery features something for everyone on your list within any budget, whether it’s a succulent for a Secret Santa or a fruit tree for a loved one!
  • Table decorations – stunning and sustainable table centerpiece with succulents and herbs. Have you considered decorating your home with plants to create a magical indoor garden this Christmas?
  • The City Farm Tote Bag – environmentally friendly and fashionable! If only you used reusable bags over your lifetime that would remove more than 22,000 plastic bags from the environment!

 

Sustainable Living Workshop Gift Vouchers

And from our Education Program – give a Sustainable Living Workshop Gift Voucher. The recipient can choose from our wide range of workshops – from beekeeping to basket weaving. See the current list here. Full-day or half-day workshops run on most Saturdays throughout the year.

Purchase workshop vouchers here.


Northey Street City Farm wishes all our members, volunteers, customers and supporters a happy, healthy and safe festive season.


 

Filed Under: Nursery, Organic Farmers Market, Permaculture Education Tagged With: City Farm Nursery, NSCF, Organic Markets, Sustainability, Workshops

November 29, 2017 by Ronni Martin

Permaculture Design Course starts February 2018

The Permaculture Design Course (PDC), delivered one day a week over 16 weeks, gives you the knowledge and skills to observe and design from the natural patterns to create productive gardens & properties, grow your own food, apply appropriate technologies, learn to use resources wisely, build on living systems and rebuild communities.

The next PDC will run on Fridays, from 9 February to 1  June 2018

Learn to:

  • Build Resilience through Connectivity
  • Facilitate Regeneration of the Earth
  • Create Abundance through Design

The Permaculture Design Course builds from its foundation in the permaculture ethics, design principles and strategies to inspire critical thinking giving you the techniques and tools to design your life.

 

COST: $1450/ $1130 Health Care Card Holder (GST Inclusive)

INCLUDED IN YOUR COURSE FEE:

  • Rosemary Morrows ‘Earth Users Guide to Permaculture’
  • Extensive resources and handouts to complement course outcomes
  • Teachers whose conceptual understanding of the permaculture design process complements their broad range of knowledge and experience to create an immersive learning environment
    • Visit to Crystal Waters where we will explore how these landholders have implemented permaculture design concepts into their lives
  • An experience of COMMUNITY & FUN

 

YOU WILL LEARN:

  • the history of permaculture and agriculture and the foundational concepts of the permaculture ethics and design principles
  • to design from ecological pattern literacy, systems thinking, using Ethics and Design principles, designing from the whole, differentiated into parts
  • to use the Scale of Permanence to give realistic outcomes for any design
  • climate analogues and how varied micro-climates affect your site
  • the patterns of our intent and that of our landscapes, elements and their functional connections in your design, to minimize waste
  • to savour our soils: soil biology, amendments, uses and putting it all together
  • about trees and forests and how we can integrate them into our systems
  • how we can cultivate our ecology to produce food based on our unique needs including annuals, perennials, forest gardens and animals into our systems
  • to enhance our communities and local economies through social permaculture design
  • a practical understanding of the design process through group and individual design work

For more information  check the PDC page

 “Thought provoking, inspirational and informative – whether you are planning for a farm, house or unit. Everywhere I now look I see patterns, choices and opportunities…” Mark Lacy, PDC student

FOR MORE INFO and to BOOK – Email: adultedn@nscf.org.au or Ph: 38578775

 

Filed Under: Permaculture Education Tagged With: Education, permaculture, permaculture course, Permaculture Design Course

November 8, 2017 by Desi Achilleos

Permaculture Design Course February 2018

This unique course, delivered over 16 weeks gives you the knowledge and skills to observe and design from the natural patterns to create productive gardens & properties, grow your own food, apply appropriate technologies, learn to use resources wisely, build on living systems and rebuild communities.
For more information and bookings CLICK HERE

 

Filed Under: Permaculture Education Tagged With: #permaculture learning, NSCF, organic, permaculture, Sustainability

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