Mike and Lou live on a lovely and productive 1340m2 block in the northern suburbs of Sydney. The block has a north-easterly aspect, which is ideal for growing among other things, fruit and veg. They moved in 13 years ago and Mike spent seven years totally renovating the house, including adding a 6.6kW solar array. In 2019 he was able to start the garden.
The front yard is productive in terms of fruit and biodiversity, but they also encourage community by providing a street library in the form of an old-fashioned phone box, as well as a street pantry where people can avail themselves of Mike’s productivity for a small donation.
The land has quite a respectable slope, but Mike has used swales down the length of the property to harvest the rainwater that falls on their land. Thus, following the permaculture principles when dealing with water, getting it to slow, spread and sink. He has even installed swales in the front yard, with one that protects his next-door neighbour down the hill from getting inundated during heavy rain, directing the water into the ground on his property.
Speaking of water, Mike and Lou also have four water tanks holding a total of over 26,000 litres when they are full. There is a 5300 litre tank at the front of the house, a 10,200 litre tank next to the garage and a 7100 litre tank on the back of the house where there is a pump. The 7100 litre tank is the lowest and the other two gravity feed into it. The pump allows mike to use any tap in the garden on tank water at a decent pressure. When the tank runs out it cuts across to town water, and the pump becomes redundant. The last 3900 litre tank is connected to the chook shed and is stand-alone, designed to provide emergency water, should it be needed.
The back yard has a large area for growing productive trees, perennial vegetables and natives to support biodiversity as well as an area for the chooks. There is also a flat area behind the house where Mike has installed eight raised/wicking beds that are used for growing annual vegetables.
In terms of livestock, as well as the quite large chook area (and they are allowed to roam around a bit too) they have a couple of worm farms and a native beehive to assist in pollination.
There is a terrace up towards the chook shed where there is an area where they can sit and look out over the property with a drink and the area is complete with a rocket stove.
Other attractions include several small pools that provide water for wildlife, a small pool for humans, a composting toilet, composting area and a covered area for plant propagation, seed germination and growing on seedlings….. and a meditation rock!
All in all, it is a great property and a credit to Mike and Lou!
Front Yard
Tanks and some associated plumbing
Backyard
Chooks
Compost & Worms
Bees
Amenities
Rocket stove
Water features
Meditation rock
Composting toilet
