With a recent promotion at work, we're no longer based in Gippsland! I'll keep the name of the blog, since we're expecting to move back eventually, and while in the sunny Wimmera (Western Victoria) I'll keep gardening, preserving and budgeting!
Our new home is a rental but with quite a large backyard. Most of it is grassed, then there's the old pool area that is now a sandpit and paved area so the kids have got a lot of space to keep them occupied. There are also two largish areas that will make nice vegetable gardens. Eventually.
The first area is by the clothesline, and with a path down the middle, already divided into three larger beds. This first bed, the largest, will be for carrots, leeks and parsnip on the left, grapevines along the back, and then tomatoes, capsicums and chili toward the right.
The second bed in this section will be for the kids - sunflowers, radishes, cherry tomatoes, beetroot and strawberries. An eclectic mix of foods and flowers they enjoy and smaller produce they'll at least have fun picking! The third bed is a work in progress and will likely be the herb bed. Still close to the house so we'll be able to pick fresh herbs to add to our cooking.
The other main area is an unused section at the back of the block. Under true permaculture guidelines this normally wouldn't be for vegetables, since it isn't near the house. It is however relatively clear from weeds and in full sun. As a result I've started planting out potatoes, and will use this for corn and other plants as well that can mostly be left for long growing periods. The walk to the back isn't a huge burden anyway and I can certainly do with the extra steps!
We are also very fortunate that there was already a chicken run in place, plus a very accommodating landlord that was happy for us to keep chickens. We've bought 6 in total - 2 Isa Browns, 2 Leghorns and 2 Australorps (only one pictured). The kids love them, the chooks love the weeds the kids feed them and we should start getting eggs within a few weeks.
Happy days ahead in the Wimmera!
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