What new on Haven Farm

As I take my seat at the rear of the plane, heading back to Brisbane I plan, plot and anticipate all of the new arrivals and establishments on Haven Farm since Christmas.

We have seen dramatic growth in our permaculture patch, the introduction of two new bee hives, a season of growth in the vegie patch, and the prospect of collecting a Dexter cow and her calf later in the week. Exciting times!!

When I reflect over the past few months and look at what I have enjoyed the most I would have to say gathering food from the garden or through the drop offs by generous neighbours and friends. Heading down to the patch after work, before dinner, picking and planning meals around each discovery has been an absolute joy. I have loved sourcing recipes to make the best use of our products. From a hoard of corn, abundance of cucumbers and zucchinis to two generous bags of mangos - fun times. Doesn't food you produce yourself taste expediently better than store bought?

 

I cubed and froze majority of the mangos which make the base of daily smoothies, tried my hand at mango salsa (delicious!) and a fabulous mango chutney (thanks to the guiding hand of a fabulous Australian book called Practical Self Sufficiency (Dick and James Strawbridge). I have never made chutney before and found the process almost therapeutic.

Another unexpected treasure has been a love of sharing discovered recipes, accompanied by at least one key ingredient, with my friends and family and the redistribution of produce. In a short period of time we have shared glut from our garden and been recipients of many herbs, plant cuttings, recipes and fruit in return. The sense of community 'ripe' (pardon the pun') at Haven.

Other recipes which have graced the table have included zucchini and corn fritters, zucchini chips, silverbeet with pine nuts and garlic, tzatziki along with using baby bok choy and zucchini flowers in a salad to accompanying Jamie Oliver's lamb burgers cooked on the weber BBQ. It has prompted many a dish to be served outdoors with garden inspired table decor - the flow on effect permeating much of our daily routines.

I anticipate with great excitement trialing my cheese making kit (a wonderful Christmas gift from my family) with fresh milk from the newest editions to Haven and harvesting delectable honey from our hives.

Stay tuned.

Small Breeds Expo

We went to a small breeds’ expo on the South side of Brisbane last Saturday in the hopes of learning a little more on some little additions for the farm. It was quite a hot day and not as many exhibits as we would have hoped. But we met some great farmers keen to share their knowledge on small cattle breeds such as Boran, Banded Galloways and Dexters. We discussed at length the options of milk versus meat cattle and the breeds which favourably combined the two.

Of interest to us was the Dexter. We were told that the Dexter cow can be milked 2 to 3 times per week. A seemingly perfect option to supply our family with milk and cheese, fits in with our busy lifestyle as we are not wishing to move into dairy farming. We were told the Dexter has a milk similar to goats milk and often used to make similar style cheeses. Given our small acreage size we could consider starting with 1 cow in calf along with a steer. Initially as company for the cow then with much appreciation will supply us with meat. The plan would be to introduce a further cow in calf approximately 6 months later – providing us with an annual supply of milk.

 Image courtesy of Dexter Cattle Australia Incorporated

More research is needed but an interesting start.

Vegie garden with a chicken dome

After longer planning than I care to admit we have started on a permaculture vegie garden. Inspired by Linda Woodrow author of the book The Permaculture Home Garden we have identified a suitable plot of land which seems to have good drainage, a north-easterly facing aspect and will be in close proximity to the new house when built. So we set about plotting and planning our 7 circle garden. We had decided on a single mandala system.

The theory behind the circle style garden is having the opportunity to place the moveable ‘chicken dome’ over the garden beds. Initially the chickens will scratch and clear the beds of any grass and weeds and also supply a thick layer of organic matter to fertilise the plants. Later, once the beds have been established the chickens can eat the remaining glut and those plants gone to seed, devour any chicken fodder planted and start the process again.

Wanting to re-use and recycle as much as we could, we fashioned the base of the chicken dome out of an old trampoline base. We had quickly learnt after moving the trampoline onto the property, to secure objects firmly to the ground during the windy season. This happened after arriving one weekend to find the old trampoline a twisted mess of its former self lodged squarely in the creek some 100 metres away. Using electrical conduit, shade cloth, a tarp, chicken wire and timber batons we were able to create a sturdy and extremely functional dome. One which could be moved around by one person.

The roost was secured from the roof. This design provides the chickens a level of safety from predators as does the double layering of chicken wire around the base. Linda Woodrow recommends using an old grass catcher from a lawn-mower as the laying box and to date it has worked a treat.

        

At the moment the girls (chickens) are rotated around the property in the chicken dome and free range during the afternoons and weekends. Their food sources are kitchen scraps, layer mash and whatever they can scratch out. I am looking forward to reducing the layer mash with our own vegie glut and purposely grown chicken fodder.

I can hardly contain my excitement about the prospect of selecting and picking our own produce.