Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 23 i Pip Magazine

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“A great sense of peace, allowing you to be in the here and now” Welcome to Issue 23 of Pip and our eighth year of bringing you great content. I’m realising our content is now more relevant than ever and I can see the growing interest in the importance of being more sustainable and self-reliant. I’m not talking about complete self-sufficiency, instead about having a few things in the garden or in pots to eat. But as well as a garden’s potential to provide food, it plays an equally important role as a place to escape to, to just be with your plants and to be in the here and now. With our lives being more home based, it’s great to have that outlet, however it may look. Whether it…

Pastinaca sativa – pastura in Latin means food and sativa means cultivated. ORIGIN The parsnip we know today evolved from the wild parsnip which is still growing in Europe and Asia. It was a staple in the middle ages, but fell into disuse with the rising popularity of the potato. It is naturalised in New Zealand. DESCRIPTION Parsnip is a root vegetable grown for its large, creamywhite roots. It’s closely related to parsley and carrots which all belong to the flowering plant family Apiaceae. CULTIVATION Plant seeds in autumn in warm climates, and in spring in cooler climates. Successful germination relies heavily on the freshness of the seed and the most success will occur if you use seed saved from the previous season. Seed which is older than 12 months…

If there is a plant group considered a staple in the modern diet, the onion family is it. From the ubiquitous brown onion to edible chive flowers, the diversity in the onion family is matched only by the many uses and flavours it brings to the kitchen. The alliums are a huge genus of plants. Up to 800 species are named throughout the world although many of them not edible, domesticated or well known. The edible alliums are what we commonly call the onion family, and include bulbing onions, shallots, spring onions, leeks, garlic and chives. Their distinctive aroma comes from an array of sulphur compounds with many purported health benefits, like the ability to lower cholesterol levels, triglycerides and blood pressure, anti-clotting properties, strong anti-inflammatory components, as well as…

Homemade fermented drinks are a delicious and popular alternative to alcoholic beverages. And in this highly sanitised world we’ve found ourselves in, they’ve probably never been more important. Low-alcohol alternatives are popping up all over the beverage market these days as people take a growing interest in healthier living. According to data from consumer analytics firm IRI, there’s been a 33 percent increase in the sales of low- and non-alcoholic beverages in Australia in the last 12 months, as people look at ways to reduce their alcohol intake. HEALTH BENEFITS Fermented drinks offer a wealth of health benefits far greater than just those associated with reducing alcohol consumption. The health advantages of fermentation comes from the bacteria produced in the process, so in a time when so many of us…

NOOSA FOREST RETREAT Noosa Forest Retreat and Bellbunya Eco Retreat offer residential and online permaculture courses as well as education and techniques around syntropic farming. There’s a free online introduction to permaculture course and a fun design certificate from $49 per week. www.noosaforestretreat.com (07) 5409 7599 GOOD LIFE PERMACULTURE Based in southern lutruwita/Tasmania, workshops to get you living the good life include a summer PDC, beekeeping, growing food, fostering healthy soils, keeping goats, small-farm design and more. www.goodlifepermaculture.com.au ROBIN CLAYFIELD’S DYNAMIC GROUPS Held at Crystal Waters Permaculture Ecovillage in southeast Qld, Robin offers a wide range of permaculture and leadership courses. Next up is Social Permaculture (12–13 February), Crystal Waters Co-op PDC (6–20 March) and Dynamic Groups (8–13 May 2022). www.dynamicgroups.com.au (07) 5494 4707 PERMACULTURE COURSES & OPEN DAYS John…

“More sophisticated than conventional companion planting, a guild is a whole ecosystem on its own” Create a thriving and productive mini ecosystem that supports your fruit tree by designing a guild – a permaculture technique in which a group of plants are chosen to complement and support a central plant. Guilds are a great way to make the most of under-utilised space in the garden and to obtain a diverse yield. Whether your garden is small or your property vast and rambling, the space under and around your fruit trees is valuable real estate. Being mindful with what you plant there can bring many benefits to the fruit trees, to your other garden inhabitants and to yourself. A guild can bring higher yields as it adds nutrients, attracts pollinators, stabilises…

Folding your own pots is an inexpensive and sustainable way to raise your seedlings. Not only are you eliminating plastic from the process, but it’s better for your plants, too. There are so many advantages to using paper seedling pots. In terms of the environment, you’re reusing a waste product that would otherwise be destined for the recycle bin or compost heap and you’re using it as an alternative that would otherwise be plastic. Of course the other advantage is you’re removing any risk of root damage or transplant shock to your lovingly raised seedlings because the pot itself can be planted straight into the ground. SIZE AND SHAPE There are commercially available products that you can use to construct paper pots (see Tried & True, page 89) that are…

Pip wants to do more than just inspire you to live your best life. We want to lead by example, practise what we preach and live by the ethics of earth care, people care and fair share. And although permaculture is a concept created 40-odd years ago, these ideas aren’t new. Indigenous people all around the world have been living like this for tens of thousands of years. Pip acknowledges the traditional custodians of this land; past, present and emerging. Created on the lands of the Yuin Nation, Pip respects the great wealth of knowledge and rich tradition which has cared for this country for millennia. We invite First Nations People to share their knowledge within Pip, so that we can all have a deeper connection to country and learn…

Connecting to country is about being still, asking permission and using your senses in order to reveal what she is really saying. Spiritual connection to country is important for me; I will always make my presence known at a location and mentally or verbally ask permission from the guardians and Elders past if it is okay I be there. A gentle breeze, a rustle of leaves or a birdcall at that precise moment is validation. Sit still, observe and tune in. How do you feel? Safe, comfortable, relaxed? Do you feel welcome? USE YOUR SENSES When I walk with people, I get them to connect with their natural surroundings. Dadirri (Pip, Issue 22) is a good way to do this. Using all your senses helps to become part of the…

The Northern Rivers Soil Health Card was developed as a practical tool for the region’s farmers and landholders to use to monitor the health of their soils. While it was developed in partnership with NSW Agriculture, it’s got lots to offer home gardeners all around the country who want to better understand soil health. The soil health card lists 10 straightforward visual tests performed with simple equipment and which can be carried out by one person. The card, which can be found online and printed out, provides space for you to record important details regarding the test site, as well as space to rate your own soils after carrying out the tests. By testing regularly and keeping the cards, you can build up a record of your soil health and…

Whether you’re planning a new build or renovating your existing house, there are lots of natural materials to ensure an efficient, beautiful and healthy home. When deciding which natural building material is best suited to your needs, there are things you need to consider. Local availability, the cost of materials compared to your budget and what thermal properties you need it to achieve. The ease of construction is something you also need to take into account, and some people may also be swayed by a particular product’s embodied energy, which is the total energy consumed by the processes of extracting, processing and delivering building materials to the site. KNOW THE SOURCE Research your local resources – much like the food you eat, your build will be far better for you,…

Humans are by nature inclined to repeat their practices. It keeps us calm, builds confidence and assures us of who we are. We challenge, question, encourage and participate in the activities that lift us up and fill our cup. This is ritual. The way we live our lives is based on our deeply-held values which have evolved through kinship, memory markers and our desire for what’s to come. Ritual is creating patterns and rhythms, rites of passage and process. Sometimes alone for deep nourishment, growth and healing and sometimes with your people for tomfoolery, conviviality and another point of view. They are repetitious and cathartic. REBUILDING CULTURE Today we live in a world that is paced beyond our ancestors’ imaginations and one which has traded cultural with consumerism. Focusing our…

“This long and deep relationship with Country is evident in all that Cheryl does and it’s beautifully reflected in her work” As a visual artist, a business owner and a creative director, Cheryl Davison is creating and maintaining beautiful and important cultural connections. Cheryl Davison is a proud Walbunga and Ngarigo woman. She is an artist who expresses her creativity and connection to Country in many forms. Best known for her prints and paintings, she is also the Aboriginal Creative Director with Four Winds Festivals and has recently opened Mungala Bugaali Gallery in Central Tilba, New South Wales, where as well as selling her own artwork and products, she sells the wares of other local artists and producers. ‘I come from here,’ she starts. ‘There is nowhere else I come…

TRISH ELLIS Trish is a teacher of Aboriginal language and culture. After three decades working in Aboriginal-identified government roles, schools, TAFEs and the private sector, Trish established Minga Aboriginal Cultural Services in 2018. Based on the New South Wales south coast, she co-authored the The Dhurga Dictionary to ensure her area’s Indigenous Language is never lost. JADE MILLS With the bush in her bones and business in her head, Jade is a serial poly-jobist. She’s a local food advocate and educator, food co-op founder, author, podcaster and regenerative heritage fruit farmer. With her husband and three kids, Jade runs a biodiverse orchard, nursery and workshop space in Northeast Victoria. She hosts school programs, and permaculture and homesteading workshops. MORAG GAMBLE Morag is a global permaculture ambassador and CEO of the…

Mikkoa TRAVEL YOGA MAT This foldable, machine-washable yoga mat has a non-slip base made from natural rubber and a moisture-wicking vegan suede top which is free of chemicals, plastics, silicones or phthalates. The mat measures 183 cm long and 68 cm wide, weighs in at 900 grams and is available in six different designs. The Australian-based company will plant a tree with each purchase, to help restore Australia’s native forests following the country’s catastrophic 2020 bushfire season. $99 www.mikkoa.com Done by Matea CUSTOM HANDMADE SHOES Australian artisan shoemaker and designer Matea Gluscevic crafts handmade shoes and accessories using only materials which are either natural, recycled, recyclable, salvaged or a combination of. As well as her own range which includes these seaweed-inspired Kelp Slides, she’ll make custom designs using traditional construction…

RESPONSIBLE BEEKEEPING How do I know how much honey to take at the end of summer to ensure the bees have enough honey to last them through winter? It’s really important that we leave enough honey for the colony to survive on during the months of winter. Bees collect nectar all spring and summer to store and make honey. The honey they make and store is eaten and keeps the colony fed when there is nothing left to forage. When they eat the honey, they transform the carbohydrates into energy by vibrating their wing muscles to produce heat and maintain a constant temperature inside the hive and around the winter cluster. The honeycomb also provides an important insulation barrier against the cold. The amount of honey you should leave depends…

Neptune’s Necklace (Hormosira bansi), also known as sea grapes or bubbleweed, is made up of fronds of water-filled beads attached to the substrate by a thin disc (holdfast). When foraged responsibly, it makes a healthy addition to your diet and your soil. Neptune’s Necklace is found in the rocky intertidal zone from Albany in Western Australia through to northern New South Wales, and around Tasmania and New Zealand. It can also be often found free-floating among mangroves. It can be harvested all year round but is at its most prolific in the cooler months. Like all seaweeds, Neptune’s Necklace provides important protective habitat for lots of species, offering both moisture at low tide and shade. Reducing its canopy by as little as as 25 percent can dramatically impact the animals…

You might score yourself highly when it comes to making sure you’re minimising food waste, but what about when you consider all the parts of a food-producing plant that are edible which end up either in the compost, the chicken coop or in the green bin? We have all heard the phrase nose-to-tail eating, but the same philosophy can be applied to our vegetables. Just like there’s a move towards whole-animal eating, we need to be ‘honouring’ the whole plant and not eating just the popular parts of our fruit and vegetables. So much of what we grow ends up being discarded while we are missing out on not only the opportunity to reduce waste, but also extra vitamins, fibre and nutrients. Many of the parts that we discard can…

“Mandy used her newfound permaculture knowledge and respect for nature to rediscover herself and all the things she has to offer” Dedicated to building resilience and food security through respectful community connections, Pip’s 2021 Permie of the Year recipient personifies the three key ethics. ‘Open hearted’ is how the 2021 Pip Permie of the Year Award recipient Mandy Milburn describes herself and, when you look at where the 49-year-old has found herself after a relatively tumultuous life, it’s pretty hard to argue. These days, Mandy leads the team running the Kununurra Community Garden located in the eastern reaches of Western Australia’s Kimberley ranges. Just 45 km from the Northern Territory border, it’s a relatively small and remote community and its hot, semi-arid climate is extreme. She co-launched the Kununurra Community…

GREEN CONNECT The award-winning permaculture farm is 1.5 hours south of Sydney and offers workshops from smallspace gardening and beekeeping to permaculture basics. Public and private tours of the urban farm are also on offer. See the Green Connect website for more info. www.green-connect.com.au (02) 4243 1537 POCKET CITY FARMS Permaculture Design Course. Hands-on experience, urban focus and flexible delivery. Applications now open for this eight-week experience (7 May–25 June) is a mix of weekends, evenings and self-paced at-home activities. pocketcityfarms.com.au/permaculture-design-course BOB’S BEEKEEPING A full-day course exploring the history, biology, seasonal management and diseases. Following elements of the National Certificate 3 in Beekeeping, learn how to manage a colony of bees. Different housing (including Flow Hive) are used in the hands-on hive inspection. www.bobsbeekeeping.com.au STUDY ONLINE, AT YOUR PLACE Get…

“If you make more than one at the same time, you can keep a bunch of cloths rotating through your laundry” Produced using plastics and metals, today’s store-bought kitchen scourers can be notoriously bad for the environment. But by repurposing everyday household waste, you can very easily make your own These homemade kitchen scrubbers pose a two-pronged attack in the war on dishes. They have a coarse side, which is perfect for scrubbing off tough baked-on stains, and a soft side which is suitable for wiping up spills or wiping down benches. And best of all, they can be made using items you’re likely to have lying around the house, making them a great addition to your zero-waste arsenal. WHY MAKE YOUR OWN? As cleaning companies love to remind us,…

Our kids’ patch winner for this issue is Taj Sol from Rosebank, NSW. You’ve won a Patternation Eco-City game which lets you design your very own sustainable city! Choosing from 140 tiles, Patternation allows you to incorporate elements such as community gardens, renewable energy, recycling and emission-free transport to create a great place for the community to live. SHOW US YOUR GARDEN Lorinna, Tasmania Name Minnow Flora How old are you? I’m 10 years old. Describe your garden I have a big garden with heaps of different types of fruit trees, vegies, herbs and berries. I have chickens, ducks, lambs, fish, cats, frogs and a pond full of tadpoles. What do you grow? I grow geraniums, tomatoes, pepinos, nasturtiums, lettuces, passionfruits, watermelons, candy melons, irises, babaco, pawpaw, figs and kiwi…

Books COSTA’S WORLD GARDENING FOR THE SOIL, THE SOUL AND THE SUBURBS BY COSTA GEORGIADIS (HARPER COLLINS PUBLISHERS 2021) Review by Robyn Rosenfeldt Costa’s new book has been a long time coming. This is the culmination of all the ideas and knowledge that Costa has been sharing verbally to people and communities across Australia for the last few decades. Costa’s World challenges us to look at the world through a different lens, one that is full of awe and wonder and positivity. The big theme is community and working together to create a better world. As the host of Gardening Australia, as well as at the many community events and workshops he’s involved in, Costa is continually sharing his knowledge. He has a way of relating to people young or…

GROUNDED HOW CONNECTION WITH NATURE CAN IMPROVE OUR MENTAL AND PHYSICAL WELLBEING BY RUTH ALLEN (ALLEN & UNWIN 2021) Grounded explores the concept of rewilding as an intentional way of living in the modern age. In addition to practical exercises and mindful activities, there are personal stories and thought-provoking questions that will help us understand what it means to be alive in the natural world, and in the moment. PRACTISING SIMPLICITY SMALL STEPS AND BRAVE CHOICES FOR A LIFE LESS DISTRACTED BY JODI WILSON (MURDOCH BOOKS 2022) Jodi Wilson shines a light on the best things in life that don’t cost money and how you can incorporate them into your lifestyle, whatever your circumstances. For her, the simplicity of living in a tiny home on wheels was at first terrifying…