| Kaya – Welcome! The Witchcliffe Permaculture Group is a community of people who share a love of gardening, nature and culture. Many of us live or soon will at the Witchcliffe Eco Village in south-west Western Australia and are proud to be part of one of the world’s most sustainable residential communities founded on permaculture principles. Some of us live in surrounding regions and some of us live on the other side of Australia or around the world. But no matter where we live or what our background is, we share a willingness to learn, connect and create a more resilient future for ourselves, our families and our neighbours. So no matter where you live or where you are in life, we invite you to browse our evolving Withcliffe Permaculture Group website, sign up to receive these seasonal newsletters, and if you can – join us; in person (and sometimes online) on the last Sunday afternoon of each month to see what’s growing at the Witchcliffe Eco Village, learn some permaculture tips and enjoy a cuppa with friends. Our next gathering will be this Sunday 28 August at 2.00pm. We will meet at the community shed in the centre of cluster 1B (same place as last month) to talk about planting, the first pruning of fruit trees and composting. Everyone is welcome – see you there!  WHAT IS PERMACULTURE by Ross Mars The term permaculture is a combination of the words permanent and agriculture. It can also be thought of as a combination of the words permanent and culture, incorporating all aspects of human beings and human settlements. Permaculture deals with our existence on this planet and it encompasses many different aspects of this. Firstly, permaculture is about producing edible landscapes, mirroring the natural ecosystems in their diversity and production. Permaculture is primarily a design system. This is the main difference between it and all other agricultural and horticultural practices. Permaculture designs endeavour to integrate all components of the ecosystem in a holistic approach to sustainable living and practice. The overall aim of permaculture design is to produce an efficient, low maintenance, productive integration of plants, animals, structures and people with the ultimate result of on-site stability and food self-sufficiency in the smallest practical area. Permaculture means thinking carefully about our environment, our use of resources and how we supply our needs. It aims to create systems that will sustain not only for the present, but for future generations. From a philosophy of co-operation with nature and each other, of caring for the earth and people, it presents an approach to designing environments that has the diversity, stability, and resilience of natural ecosystems, to regenerate damaged land and preserve environments that are still intact. Since the late 1970s the concepts of permaculture have also developed, such that it encompasses finances, water harvesting, communities, buildings, and alternative and appropriate technology. For many of us, permaculture is a framework that unites many disciplines, and so the subjects of aquaculture, ethical investment, horticulture, solar technology, soils, and many others can integrate together, each contributing as part of the whole. Truly successful designs create a self-managed system. A large amount of what we call permaculture is really just common sense, using human intuition and insight to solve problems that confront us. The outcomes of good design should include:sustainable land use strategies, without wastes and pollutionestablished systems for healthy food production, and maybe some surplusrestoration of degraded landscapes, resulting in conservation of endemic species – especially rare and endangered speciesintegration and harmony of all living things on the property – all things live in an atmosphere of co-operation or interact in natural cyclesminimal consumption of energyHowever, permaculture is not just about designing gardens. It is about designing human settlements. It is a plan that endeavours to maximise and enhance human interaction with the environment that surrounds them. This plan considers all facets of human existence. Coming to the realisation that changes are needed to the ways humans live, and then facing the bold step of acknowledging that we should do something about it, is crucial for our own survival on this planet. In essence, permaculture is not a destination, it is a direction. You don’t suddenly “arrive” at some point to finally declare “I’m a permaculturist”. It is a life-long journey of change and growth. What you learn in the garden is closely linked with natural cycles, and it also provides the opportunity to take responsibility for growing your own healthy food. Furthermore, we mustn’t forget that many plants in our permaculture systems may not be directly useful to us, but may be essential in the life cycle of insects, birds and other animals. I don’t believe permaculture should be seen as a way in which people can become self-sufficient. The emphasis should be on people becoming self-reliant, with positive interaction and co-operation between all members within the community. It is true that the goal of permaculture design is to create an edible landscape. Like a natural forest, our gardens should contain a mixture of both different species and different ages. How to achieve this is known as succession, and it occurs in all ecosystems. We can be prepared for change as well as being the agents for change. The garden teaches us balance, and permaculture is also about balance – how we integrate our lives with nature, how we juggle input and output to get optimum yields, and how we tend to the needs of all the organisms present in our world so that everything flourishes. Permaculture, and the ecological framework it embraces, will give people hope and enable them to develop skills that allow us to rise to the challenges of a changing world. Permaculture doesn’t have its own set of techniques, but rather a bag of tricks; tricks that are really principles and strategies to enhance vulnerable ecologies. Ultimately, permaculture is a way of life. It is about taking responsibility for your own life and doing the things you feel are important for your own well-being, for the well-being of others and to help the environment. THE SIX SEASONS OF OUR SOUTH-WEST The Wadandi People (Saltwater People) are the traditional owners of this part of south-west Western Australia and they live by the six seasons, in harmony with their environment. The six seasons keep Nala Boodja (Our Country) strong and healthy. Governed by what is happening and changing around us rather than by dates on a calendar, the six seasons help us understand and respect local plant and animal fertility cycles and preserve our land. Each of the seasons coincides with a seasonal abundance of a variety of food resources that informs which foods and medicines should be consumed at that time of the year. We encourage you to learn with us about Nala Boodja through the local not-for-profit Undalup Association which has a valuable website and newsletter. Through educational workshops, community events and projects, the Undalup Association is building awareness of the traditional culture and heritage of our south west and providing positive opportunities for Aboriginal people. Thanks to the Undalup Association for information about our current season… Djilba is approximately August / September. The colours of Djilba are black, blue, green and yellow. The climate of Djilba is wet days with increasingly clear, cold nights and pleasant warmer days. THE STORY OF DJILBAThe yongar (male kangaroo) and woorar (female kangaroo) were not hunted during Djilba as the woorar has boodjid (given birth) and has a joey to care for.As you walk across Boodja, notice the possum bush with cream florets that resemble mini cauliflowers are ready to bloom, an indication that koomal (brushtail possum) and gnaren (ringtail possum) have babies and cannot be hunted. Observe injid (cockies tongues or templetonia retusa) with vibrant red blossoms that indicates the skippy djijit (fish) are boola (plenty) and can be caught.Quinnin (zamia palm) begin to produce a seed boyan used by the Wadandi people who leached toxins from the nut to create a flour used to cook a fermented bread to help produce good bacteria in the stomach.Djilba is the season to collect tubers (underground stems or roots) such as borna (bush chillli), kara (carrots) and djubak (potato) to be eaten raw or roasted on karla djedal (fire coals). Wannang (peppermint tree or agonis flexuosa) is also ready to blossom, telling us the rains will continue to fall and replenish the country until the next season of Kambarang when the land will warm and we once again live with the sea.Djilba is also known as Boodjari Boodjid (Conception Time) when we djinnung (look) into the djinda (stars) through the Milky Way to observe the Dark Emu that indicates the wetj (emu) is nesting and cannot be hunted.  THE FLORA OF DJILBA by Miles Durand During Djilba there are many wildflowers about in the reserves, roadsides and bush. It is the start of the blooming of the wildflowers over the Spring months. Many wildflowers will be increasingly visible around the Witchcliffe Eco Village: in the Marri and Jarrah woodland, along swale lines and wetland areas and village surrounds. So put on your rain gear, take a walk on the wild side and see if you can spot the following:Hibbertia spp. a low spreading, bush with yellow flowersAcacia spp. medium and open mid-level bush with yellow flowersHovea spp. low straggly bush with deep, two-tone purple flowersClematis spp Old Mans Beard climber with white flowerHakea spp. mid-level open bush, white flowersTrymalium spp. Karri Hazel large thick shrub profuse with small white flowersBossiaea spp. erect and spreading with brown-yellow flowersGround dwelling orchids are starting to appearGet out into our Marri/Jarrah forests to breathe the cool, damp air. During wet weather, you’ll notice it has an earthy organic odour that gives vigour to your sprit and soul. Take off your shoes and socks (yes!) and feel your connection with the earth.   THE WEEDY PATCH by Kati and Simon Some of you might have already seen our exclusive use area (EUA) in cluster 2B of the Witchcliffe Eco Village. It’s the one opposite the common shed with rows of veg, lots of weeds and a single sunflower which is still growing through winter. Here’s a quick rundown on what we’ve done to get things started. Initially we wanted to do a Charles Dowding style no-dig garden. That would have entailed a layer of cardboard to suppress weeds followed by multiple layers of mulch/straw and compost. In our garden that would have totalled 15m3 of compost and 30m3 of straw! Not only would it have been really expensive it would also have taken a long time to put together. Instead, we ordered 6m3 of compost and 8m3 of leafy mulch. We put a thin layer of the leafy mulch all over the EUA and each row got about 5cm of compost. This was enough just to revitalize the soil with some organic matter. We’ve put straw or seaweed as a mulch on some beds. All beds are about 120cm wide and the paths are about 30-50cm. That’s basically all we’ve done for soil prep. We figured everything is technically a cover crop so we started planting actual veg straight away. Our garden has done really well with producing lots of lettuce, herbs, some peas, a few tiny cauliflowers and broccoli. I think we just planted most brassicas a little bit too late in the season but we’re hopeful to get a couple of small cabbages and brussels sprouts. The most exciting thing we have going on is about 200 cloves of garlic. The onions and leeks are doing well as are our broad beans. Two full 9m x 1.2m beds are full of potatoes which hopefully won’t get devoured by snails. We still need to put in some fruit trees and shrubbery to block the wind for next winter. The amount of weeding has taken us by surprise which is something we could solve with a good mulch and more cardboard on the paths. We excitedly put straw down only to find out it had barley seeds…not the first time we’ve made this mistake. Also, many seeds just didn’t germinate such as carrots and beetroot which was a bit of a bummer. We’ve realized how many plants we will need to plant in the future to fill our almost 200m2 EUA! Spring seedlings are getting ready to be planted hopefully at the end of this month.Wishing everyone a sunny spring, Kati & Simon.   Fig.1: Frogs of the south-west region, from Geraldton to Esperance.FROGS OF THE SOUTH-WEST by Johnny Prefumo, The Frog Doctor As I write this article, the rain is pouring down and the chorus of bleats, quacks, clicks, ticks and even the strings of a banjo fill the night. It’s winter and time for our unique, native frogs. The male frogs are calling from a burrow or nestled amongst vegetation, logs or rocks. Finding one of these frogs, especially ground frogs that average 2 centimetres requires a bit of a skill. Frogs are the one critter that live in the air, land and water and even impact estuarine and marine quality. As a keystone species, they can influence the diversity and quality of an ecosystem. Of the 28 species found in the south-west, the majority are burrowing and ground frogs (Fig. 1) meaning they live beneath the ground or just under the leaf litter, then emerge at night to forage for insects or actively call for a mate. In the Augusta-Margaret region this trend is different as we have 8 ground frogs (Quacking, Bleating, Clicking, White Bellied, Yellow Bellied, Ticking and Roseate frog), 5 burrowing frogs (Moaning, Whooping, Banjo, Crawling, and the Forest Toadlet), 2 tree frogs (Motorbike and Slender Tree frogs). What would you think if I told you many of these frogs are brown, have claws and don’t like a lot of water except at certain times? We live in the driest inhabited continent on the planet so our frogs’ uniqueness is a direct result of surviving in this dry place. Accommodating these frogs, like any other critter, is about knowing a little about their biology and ecology. I like to call this Frogology and it’s about getting into the zone of the animal and in the case of our frogs it’s not all about making ponds. Incorporating a boggy area into your garden will not only accommodate our frogs but attract many beneficial insects that will provide natural pest control and pollinate our production crops. Over the next month or so, getting out at night and listening to the frog chorus is a great activity to do as a family. Identifying them has been made easier, thanks to the Australian Museum’s Frog ID App. This citizen science project allows us to understand what is happening with our frogs and is great way to learn what lives in your patch. Follow Johnny’s social pages for all things Frog: Instagram: frogdoctor2022. Facebook: The Frog Doctor |
  LAST MONTH’S SHOW N TELL The Witchcliffe Permaculture Group meets on the last Sunday of each month and last month we were in Cluster 1B at Nathan’s EUA (photo on right) and Karen’s EUA (photo on left). For those who don’t know, all residents at the Witchcliffe Eco Village have an exclusive use growing area (EUA) set aside to grow food for themselves and their families. EUAs are provided with free community dam water and are a vital community-building aspect of village life. We love them so much we meet up every month to see what other people are doing in their EUA and get ideas for our own! |