Hi there,
I am Smeg and I am a mad keen gardener and amateur angler although I am totally poo at the latter.
I have converted the front of my small Mayfield property (560sqm) into a fairly productive fruit and veg garden.
After 6 years at this property and many incarnations, I now have built 6 large raised garden beds (600mm high) to ease my aching back and also to combat a poor soil quality issue in this area. I have a few fruit trees ranging from citrus, stone fruit, apples, avocados (in pots) and an olive tree.
To compliment my attempts at symbiotic and nearly organic gardening, I have several composting bins (tumblers and tubs), a worm farm (now 10 years old) and 4 very interesting chickens one of which I am certain practices some sort of voodoo or similar dark magic in the wee hours so I am very careful as to what I say about her.
Finally I have two cattle dogs one of which follows the chickens around with his nose only a few inches from their bums in the hope of a little snack. With his short term attention issues he occasionally drifts off which causes some arguments when the leisurely pursued chicken stops suddenly.
I am intrigued with the concept and future effects of aquaponics and have been researching into this process for some time. I am also attending a short course on Recirculating Aquaculture and Aquaponics here in Newcastle later in September. I am very keen to learn as much as possible and develop a network with likeminded people.
I aim towards obtaining some acreage in the near future to put all the training and experiences gained from the little Mayfield house into full use and production. I hope to first be able to feed my family with my own sustainable produce then perhaps expand into a commercial venture if possible.
Looking forward to learning and sharing with you all here.
Feel free to drop me a line if you have any questions, want to learn from my mistakes or have a chat.
Cheers and beers
Smeg
Backyard Farming Forum
