Pallet Produce

The garden projects have started. During my searches of Pinterest (I'm not proud) I came across directions to make a vertical pallet garden. I have seen these before and with two pallets just hanging out in the backyard, it only made sense. I'm not sure I used the best design as since I've talked to some people at Northey Street City Farm who showed me pictures of what they made, but it's a good first attempt.

I planted lettuce in it and so far the birds haven't plucked the seedlings out yet. I don't trust those birds.

Hopefully we'll have tons of lettuce overflowing it soon for delicious salads!

I guess it's time to decide on my next project for the yard.

Partners Planting

Nothing says romance like planting bags, your partner and a waste water treatment facility.

Over the weekend, Ben and I went to Byron Bay. Instead of seeing the beautiful sights that bring tourists to the area, we spent our time planting an assortment of grasses on a waste water treatment facility. Though the smell was a bit unsavoury, at 40 cents a pod, we were happy to be there. It wasn't all straight mud, sometimes there was some debris underneath, but nothing we couldn't handle.

Here's a little video clip Ben put together.

So that's what we've been up to. I could get used to this.

A picture of the first planting job I went on here in Australia.

Urban Again

Our house.

Here I am in Brisbane, finding myself in the world of urban agriculture again. Back to a shared house, but this time with a slightly bigger yard than I found myself with in Toronto (which really just means I have a yard). As I'm here trying to learn more about permaculture, I thought I might take this opportunity to start growing some vegetables in my own space. 

Garden.

The space gets a lot of sunlight and already has a good base, with some raised beds and fruit trees already established. So far I've found dragon fruit (the cactus like plant), a mango tree, some lime trees (some of which might be oranges and grapefruit that are currently just green), a potential cherry tree and some recently planted apricot trees. There is also a great rain water harvesting system in place with big barrels.

The canvas

I don't want to get too out of control as I won't be around forever to take care of the garden, but I'd like to leave this house knowing that there is a food system that should maintain itself relatively well. 

Therefore my goals for this space are:

1. A good compost system-- I found compost bins, but they're filled with all sorts of wires... weird.

2. An herb spiral.

3. One raised bed worth of veggies.

So time to get back to experimenting... Fun!

Winter Worthy

So here it is. The end of renovating for this year.

I love my house.

North side.

I'll be back in March to attempt to do some interior work. The exterior is basically where I want it to be. Still some details to finish up, but you get the idea of what it will look like. Just add on a wrap around deck, gardens and hops vines.

Probably doesn't look much different than my last posts, but I can see it.

Be ready for an August work party gang to get me moved in!

South side.

not quite done, but no animals can get in!

Almost winterized

Here are a few pictures to give you an idea of how the house is doing now.

Hopefully will have one more post before I leave for the winter of a completed exterior. The well, septic and wiring will have to wait until next year, but such is life. This could be home this time next year!

almost there....

the new tub... claw feet awaiting attachment.

the beginnings of a kitchen floor that isn't trampoline-like.

super siding

Quick update.

As the weather gets colder, more layers are going on to the house. Though it's not quite closed up for the winter, I think these pictures give a pretty good idea of what it will look like.

I've had so much help so far and feel so lucky to have such great people around me.

Almost time to call it quits for this year, but still some more outside stuff to do before it snows.

Maintaining Minimal

New 8' wide, 7' high window.

Here are a few more pictures and a quick update on house progress.

Front window view.

As I'm working at camp now, I haven't had a lot of time to be doing the work on the house myself. Luckily, I found an awesome contractor who is also working on my neighbours' house. I'd love to be doing it all myself, but the reality is he can do what would take me a week in a day.

The most recent work has been taking off all the siding on the front part of the house and re-studding the house. The studs were at random distances from each other, usually around every 3 feet instead of every 16 inches. While this was being fixed, we also reframed some windows (very exciting).

Unfortunately while doing this work it came to our attention just how bad the foundation is. Looks like it won't last a lifetime (surprise, surprise). For now, we'll keep insulating (grant money), redo the roof with tin (can be reused) and eventually this fall have a closed in living space.

Sliding glass door opening.

Even though it may not turn in to a permanent dream home this year, I still love the house and get more and more excited every time I go up there!