In Search of Self-sufficiency

The 21st Century has seen two major issues arise that effect our whole planet: climate change/global warming, and the financial collapse.

What more incentive do we need to try to reduce the negative impact that we have on the environment, our use of fossil fuels, and our need for energy exhausting products and services? By endeavouring to achieve at least a basic level of self-sufficiency, and to utilise alternative energy sources we can do our tiny bit to extend the life of our precious planet and all life upon it.

Don't rely on the government to have the answers or implement them correctly, take the step yourself...plant the seed, and watch it grow. Becoming completely self-sufficient may be more of a dream than a reality, but I'm doing my damndest to get as close as possible, and so should you. Remember the words of the song "From little things big things grow" and use that as your guide to a better, more fruitful, and healthy lifestyle, for you and your children.

• A good place to start is to get some poultry (chickens are probably the easiest to start with). These will provide you with a regular supply of eggs, meat, and manure to furtilize your garden. They are inexpensive, just requiring table scraps, some grain, seed, or chicken pellets, clean water and preferably some time each day to free range.
• A vege patch is essential. It's easy to set up a no dig garden, and seeds are very inexpensive. Once you start growing your own veges you can also save your own seeds and reduce costs even further. Check with the seed/punnet supplier for what to grow when, or a miriad of magazines such as Gardening Australia.
• A ready water supply is also essential, and you should treat it as a precious commodity, installing rain water tanks to catch all roof run-off, and if you live on the land have dams, bores, or a stream if lucky enough. Grey water should also be utilised to water veges, fruit trees etc.
• Fossil fuels are adding to the planets woes, and becoming scarcer with many believing 'peak oil' has already been reached. We should all take responsibility for protecting the resources we have left, and turn to alternative/clean energy sources such as solar, wind, hydro, etc. Initially they may cost a little extra, but once their use becomes mainstream, prices will quickly fall. For example a small solar set up to power a small home or cabiin (such as my own) can be purchased and set up for as little as $5500. If you are frugal (get rid of the electric toaster, heater and kettle) there is no need to pay from $25,000 dollars plus as recommended by the Solar shops....check out a caravan or boating store instead.
• Plant a herb garden, close to the kitchen so you always have a ready supply of herbs to add to your home cooked meals eg. thyme, chives, garlic chives, parsley, oregano, rosemary, sage, basil, chillies.
• Build a compost heap; add all kitchen scraps (except what the chickens get), grass clippings, weeds and garden clippings, chicken manure, comfrey, cardboard etc. Cover with some old carpet or a tarp, and keep watered. When it all breaks down add it to your garden soil to grow wonderful plants, fruit and veges.
• Recycle. recycle, recycle: Try to find a use for everything instead of throwing it away eg. the cardboard inners of toilet rolls can be used as seedling pots and planted straight into the ground to decompose later. Scavenge the rubbish tip for transformable or reserectable items, building materials etc.
• Make your own: Preserves, jams, pickles, chutneys, cordials from fruit and veges you have grown yourself. Tastes better than anything from the Supermarket and more satisfying too. Also soaps, shampoos etc with your home grown herbs added (and no dangerous chemicals).
• Buy, or build your own composting toilet. there are a number of good ones on the market: Natureloo, Rotaloo, Ecolet, Clivus Mulstrum etc. We have a Natureloo and it works well, and the best thing is that they don't use water, don't smell, and you can use the compost to plant fruit trees and ornamentals on and make them thrive. Also, the effluent does not go into / pollute the waterways. I have also built my own composting loo which is very cost effective, and quite simple using readily accessed/recycled items including a wheely bin. feel free to contact me if you want detailed instructions.
• Buy Grass Roots, Earth Garden , and Organic Gardener magazines (available at most Newsagents). Full of helpful hints, and inspirational stories of others striving for self-sufficiency etc.

 Frequent garage sales, markets, and even the tip in search of useful items for your home and garden. What others class as junk, can be valuable finds to others. For instance wooden packing boxes, 44 gallon drums etc can be used for a variety of uses. The drums can be used as furnaces, or cut in half and placed over tree stumps to burn them out, made into wood heaters or water heaters. Old bed frames can also be put to a number of uses. I joined three single bed frames together and made an outdoor toilet shed to house a composting toilet. Old tires can be used to grow potatoes in, protection around young trees, or even to build walls out of. If you are into garden sculptures keep your eye out for old gates, wagon wheels, truck springs etc etc.....let your imagination run wild.

Coverty Creek Permaculture Design

and Consulting

“Working with nature, not against it”

The basic ethics of Permaculture are:

· Care for the Earth

· Care for People

· Share Resources and use them wisely

The term “Permaculture”is a contraction of permanent agriculture and also permanent culture and is basically a design system for creating sustainable human environments.

The concept was developed in Australia by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren in the 1970s in response to increasing pollution caused by industry and agriculture; loss of plant and animal species and natural resources; and a potentially destructive economic system.