Summer Newsletter 2007

Welcome to the first complete e-version of the Blue Mountains Permaculture Network Newsletter.

In this edition there are articles on insects, seedsavers, energy, water, the upcoming 9th Australian Permaculture Convergence and much much more.


To read these articles, simply click on the linked title of the article of interest. If you want to leave a comment on the article, then use the Comments link at the end of each article. You can always find you way back to this article, by using the keyword summer on the right hand side.

Seedsaver Report Dec 2007 - by John McNaull
Different Ways of Obtaining a Diploma - by Rowe Morrow
New DECC Policy on Bottled Water - by Pat Rayner
A Different Prespective on Pests - Food for Thought - by Susan Girard
Rebates for Rain Water Tanks, Hot Water Systems and Insulation - by Vanessa Steele
FreeCycle - by Vanessa Steele
A Kitchen Garden in Every Blue Mountains Home - by Lizzie Connor and Susan Girard
Working Bees : Permaculture in Action - by Celeste Salter
PV and Solar Hot Water System - by Rowe Morrow
Post Carbon Professionals - Accredited Training in Byron Bay - by Pat Rayner
9th Australian Permaculture Convergence March 2008 - by Robyn Williamson

If you would like to submit an article at any time for the newsletter, please contact Pat.

We look forward to reading your comments!

The BMPermac Newsletter Team
(Pat, Susan, Lizzie, Pete, Maryanne and Celeste)

Seedsavers Report Dec 2007

By John McNaull - Mid Mountains Seed Savers Group

Mid Mountains Seedsavers Group - Next Meeting December 9 2007

WE ARE NOW ONLINE!!! This text can be found at http://midbluemountainseedsavers.wikispaces.com/ This is a collective responsibility website that everone who joins can edit, contribute and maintain. Please try it out and let me know what you think and any suggestions for turning it into a useful tool.

We now have the following seeds in our seedbank:

• Coriander
• Blue popping corn
• Garlic chives
• Bush beans: brown beauty
• Climbing beans: mollys zebra, scarlet runner, white monarch, Mostollier wild goose, purple king
• Parsley: italian, triple curl
• Lettuce: perpetual curly
• Pumpkin: potymaron
• Dryland/winter cress
• Onion: max welsh
• Chillies (we still have to identify several of our chillies!)
• Sunflower: golden harvest

Also generously given out at the last meeting were tomato seedlings "Tommy Toe", beautiful iris plants, pink yarrow plants, and amaranth seedlings. Thanks to Louisa for the delicious home baked (and still warm) muffins and to everyone else who brought along sustenance.

Working Bees: Permaculture in Action

The Blue Mountians Permaculture Network seeks to implement Permaculture principles through interested members participating in working bees. The function of these events is to give all of us opportunities to review design principles, grow our knowledge of food growing practice, learn from others in the group.

In 2007 we have met, once a month for a couple of hours, to implement or further the plan of one person. This has meant clearing out infestations of invasive weeks, pruning trees, making growing spaces. What we have learnt at another's place has helped us at our own.

In 2008, we want to continue the process, and invite all of those who are interested in permaculture, in learning more, developing skills, seeing the progress of a design implemented, to participate. We plan to start again in February 2008. If you would like to be part of the group send Celeste an email and register your interest.