Working Bee - Space Invaders

This article illustrates the importance of controlling invasive weeds by describing a recent working bee at my house in Hazelbrook. Last year I completed the PDC (Permaculture Design Certificate) course in Katoomba delivered by Rosemary Morrow and guest lecturers. It was a comprehensive and well designed course that has given me the knowledge to help rejuvenate the land, starting with my own backyard (pictured) and it has put me into contact with like-minded people who are willing to provide time, muscles and knowledge.

THE WORKING BEE & NEIGHBOURLY CO-OPERATION

On Sunday the 15th of July, three volunteers: Peter, Celeste and Francoise, helped me clear much of the weeds that were coming through the wire fence from the adjoining property. To do this, my neighbour gave us permission to work in her yard to clear a metre buffer zone along the fence line.

We moved an old rabbit hutch, a tyre, dug out agapanthus and "oyster plants" and bagged up the carpets of trad or "wandering dew or jew". Peter worked the mattock both sides of the fence, Celeste and Francoise removed the trad from the neighbour's side and I delegated duties. Oh, and I worked too! I used a rake hoe and secateurs to cut down the agapanthas and oyster plants in preparation for Peter's mattock.

My neighbour was appreciative of the work. Over the years she has watched me working in my yard and has always taken an interest in its transformation. She was pleased to meet my "permies" and later Celeste commented that this "working bee" was a good method to meet and maintain good relations with neighbours and perhaps influence their gardening practices.

ZONE 5 HABITAT & COMBATING INVASIVE WEEDS

It has been said that a definition of a weed is "a plant in the wrong location"; well I think that is misleadingly simplistic. If one adopts a wholistic view of our environment rather than just our fenced properties, we soon realise that weeds displace native vegetation; compete with useful plants for water, nutrients and light; pollute ecosystems; poison humans and domestic animals; and do not provide food for living creatures, be they beneficial bacteria or blue tongue lizards.

"By developing an awareness of your land and its needs, you can develop effective weed-control strategies that avoid the use of herbicides completely." Earth User's Guide to Permaculture 2nd Edition 2006 Rosemary Morrow. This is why I have chosen to manually clear the land on both sides of our fences, taking care to remove the obstacles that provide havens for weeds and hinder easy access. I had thought to insert a physical barrier between our properties but now see that weeds are an indication of disturbed or unhealthy environments and therefore I intend to continue improving the soil and will plant appropriate plants and continue sheet-mulching any exposed soil.

Rosemary taught us that one of the most important points to consider when creating a design was firstly to provide a healthy habitat along its boundaries for beneficial wildlife; and this will necessitate looking over the fence and talking with your neighbours.

That Sunday, the weather was kind to us and two sun filled hours flew by. We finished with coffee, savoury scones, Peter's veggie quiche and conversations that helped to reinforce our permaculture practices. Bring on the next working bee, I'm ready!

Maryanne Bell