growing water plants

People often forget that water plants are so easy to grow. Easier than plants in pots.

All you need is a few ceramic or metal containers. Now is the season to grow KangKong, it is cheap at Asian Grocery stores and all we do is throw it into water with a handful of soil.
Even the snails can't touch it!! it is wonderful in stir-fry dishes.

find a photo at http://www.science.edu.sg/

How good a reference is this?

This post was published on forum below. it has over 3500 members.
http://forums.permaculture.org.au/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=9792

Re: online course Permaculture visions
by Burra Maluca » Tue Jan 13, 2009 12:25 am

I'm doing this course right now with my homeschooled son, and we are both absolutely loving it!

We are based in Portugal so, probably like you, there isn't much option of attending a full time course. This on-line one is great though, plenty to read, plenty of options on what 'homework' you do, and very very versatile. There are no time-limits or deadlines, which is great for us as it means my son can spend all the time he needs to get his head around something, or if he really fancies tackling something 'big' he can. One of the homework questions was to devise a year round supply of nectar and pollen for bees *in our locality* - for us that would take a year to see *exactly* when the flowers come out, or we could just bluff it and guess I suppose, but the option of taking the whole year is there if we want it. There is a range of questions within each topic to suit different types of learning. Personally, I love to waffle and would write reams and reams, but my son prefers to do computer modeling and goes for stuff that he can answer like that and use as few words as possible. The course is designed to be of use to as wide a range of people as possible. The tutor, April, is also really friendly and helpful and versatile - if you have questions she is always happy to answer them as fully as you want, but she does get busy and you might have to wait a day or two so be prepared for that.

Students and ex grads can join our Permaculturevisions forum

If you are a student with www.Permaculturevisions.com you can join our forum. You need to provide your student number and we will invite you.

here's a letter from a student

Hi April, I am enjoying the course so far and have found your notes informative. You have covered a very broad spectrum of areas within the topics I have read through so far (Module 1). Many of the Ethics topics I hadn’t considered before in regards to permaculture, so this was an eye opener for me. I really enjoy the Natural Systems and Design topics, I love learning about and looking into the webs of life and enjoy investigating wind and solar patterns, weather conditions and soil types for different localities and finding the best design solutions for them.
I am keenly waiting to complete the other topics and learning even more about permaculture. Thanks for the time and effort you have put into this course, it is a truly rewarding and worth while experience.

This is a genuine unsolicitored letter. If you want reassurance write to us and we will ensure your doubts are erased.
goto http://www.permaculturevisions.com/ and contact us

2009 is here! already!

More students have signed up at http://www.permaculturevisions.com/ and we are celebrating a new start for the year.

Dont forget , you can post any tips you have for a more sustainable life to this blog.

The course notes have grown as a collaborative venture and we share our knowledge with you. that is why there are approximately 60 pages of free information on our webpage.



Happy gardening to all and enjoy watching these little miracles of life, tranform seamlessly from inert seeds to full grown vegies, plants and trees.

a few tips to reduce chemicals in the Garden

Bi-Carb soda is a very useful product, and in a recent ad for toothpaste I noticed it was mentioned.
It is so cheap, and 2 Tablespoons full of it , combined with 1 teaspoon of olive or cooking oil, with 1 teaspoon of detergent, mixed into 2 litres of water prevents fungicide on plants.

Bi-carb soda can be used on a cloth as a great cleaner and abrasive.
and to avoid blocked drains, drop a handful of bi-card soda into the drain , and follow up with a half cup of vinegar. leave for an hour.

and so is vinegar

If you have Algae on your fences or paths, try this.
Mix 1 part of vinegar to 3 parts of water and spray on.
Rinse off after a few minutes.

Down to earth climate friendly household tips

Did you know that you can make your own garden remedies from natural products?

For Mould on fences and paths - do this
Mix 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water and either spray or paint on.

For Slugs - Slug it to them!!! give them a cup of diluted coffee 1 part to 9 parts water..

Natural weed killer..
For a really difficult plant that you need to kill..
pour on a mix of 1/2 cup of salt and 2 cups of vinegar.
This will kill everything so don't let any of it get onto anything precious. It also stays in the ground for a long time -the salt content is is the main active ingredient.
If you have an accidental spill you should dig out that section of soil.

To avoid your compost worms escaping.. line the lower bins with an old mesh curtain.
They will try to escape if you forget to feed them... Wouldn't you?

A cheap way to make a worm farm is simply to cut a one metre square of garden cloth mesh,
sew up one side and the top. Place some straw, paper, and worms in the bag along with food scraps. (Not Meat) Fold the open end up and place it under the bag. Sit the bag in a shady spot in the garden and refuel regularly. Move it about and the castings will fertilise your garden.
Don't forget to wear gloves.

If you need a fungicide for your plants try this.. mix 1 teaspoon olive oil and 1 teaspoon kitchen detergent into 2 litres of water.. spray on.