I was listening in on my Sustainable Produce Gardens class recording, and I found out something interesting. The microorganisms in our soil which break down organic matter and release nutrients in to the soil which are so important for plant growth tend to hang out in the "upper echelons" of the top-soil. Yes, indeed, they are truly refined, high-class dudes. Our teacher said that 75 per cent of these little critters hang about in the top 5 centimetres of our soil. This is why you hear people talking about the importance of protecting the top-soil.
So when planning your Outdoor Room, consider keeping as much softscape as possible, to minimise the impact on these little fellas.
Blooming and Bold
Without the buzzards and bees
Where would we all bee?
In an outdoor room
Searching for shrubs and trees ...
A blog by Nicolle Kuna, author, Green Spin (or) Promoting the Green Message (2012)
A blog about sustainable landscaping and some eco-humour and eco-creativity which helps open up audience receptivity.
Inside this blog we look at everything that is encroaching in to our natural urban landscapes –outdoor rooms (errchkem), weeds, nutrients, and the way these affect our rivers, ground-water and general environment. It's easy to forget that all our eco-systems are interconnected. The first few months of the blog are reflections on the benefits of gardens vs constructed backyards (a la the outdoor room phenomenon). More nature in our midst is a blessed thing! There’s a bit of art to add extra colour and gardenesque inspiration.
Also see our website on social marketing for greenies
TIME FOR A GARDEN CHECK-UP ?
Nicolle and her fellow-workers do site visits from inner Melbourne out to northern suburbs, and can help with all the issues that crop up (pardon the err ... pun) with gardens, as with the wider landscape:
eg. plant recommendations, landscape materials to use (life cycle analysis, inputs, outputs, waste and recycling aspects), fertilisers to avoid, how everything we do affects local habitats, etcetera. Workshops can be arranged, to suit the needs of the group.
To contact us – go to the contact us page http://www.converseconserve.com as the contact facility on this blog has been giving us mischief.
What’s orange and black, homeless
and likes
to pounce?
A hopping mad Xmas beetle
in its new outdoor room.
Proper attribution for above garden design goes to
Andrew Jones, artist and designer.
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