hello from NSW Australia
- To: m*@ucdavis.edu
- Subject: hello from NSW Australia
- From: M* K* <w*@acay.com.au>
- Date: Tue, 31 Jan 1978 22:10:10 +1100
I have just joined Medit-plants and I am facinated by all the weeds that I
have never heard of over here. I have heard of that weed the eucalyptus, it
came from Australia of course.
We live on a 30 acre farm 1 hr. North of Sydney, we are on a plateau area
which is approximately 1000 ft above sea level, half an hour inland from
the coast. We are hotter in summer than the coastal area and colder in
winter.
We are Mediteranean I guess, well we were until el Nino got his nickers in a
knot (annoyed) because we are not looking after the planet.
I have other things to contend with besides weeds; rabbits, possums, feral
deer and the next door neighbour's cattle at times.
We live on a sandy, gravel ridge with no natural water sources except rain
run-off into tanks and a dam and we have one water bore. (120 feet in
depth) As water is a priority I have naturally gravitated towards the less
thirsty plants such as lavendar, sage, daisies and the aussie natives such
as bottle brush and kangaroo paws. I am guilty of trying to grow other
plants that require quite a bit of water eg azaleas etc.
I am willing to learn with the guidance of the group.
Another area of interest to me is the Aztec chinampas. We are in the process
of setting up a fish farm in a purpose built shed. The fish will be raised
in tanks by the recirculation method. We will have approximately 2000
litres of waste water and sludge /week (sorry I don't know the equivalent
in gallons, I have forgotten) Our local council requires us to dispose of
the water and sludge in an environmentally friendly manner, which we agree
with. I have thought of worm farming and hydroponics and have come across
the chinampas, the earliest form of hydroponics known. Now, my question is
how do I use this brilliant idea in regard to the water etc from our fish?
I do not have reeds at my disposal and the water and sludge cannot come in
contact with the ground until it has been filtered of nutrients.
Looking forward to hearing from the group.
Margaret.
