Tags
erosion, events, photography, revegetation, seasons, trees, winter
Sheep figuring out the contour, near Sellicks.
I feel like I’ve never really understood winter until this year. When the first rains came, they came hard, revealing slippery, sticky mud and rivulets in unexpected places. The average June rainfall for Second Valley is around 90mm. This year the Bureau of Meteorology recorded over 200mm, and the nearby district of Parawa scored a record-breaking 266mm. Long-dormant erosion gullies were reawoken, creek banks slumped, and everywhere there was the sound of dripping. Now, the days are clearing, the sun has bite and already the kangaroos have joeys in pouch. Here’s some highlights from the wet season.
April: The first rains come.
May: Farm Tour at the Marcel Property, Inman Valley, for National Permaculture Day
May: Piglet at the Marcel Property Farm Tour, National Permaculture Day
May: One of Sophie’s trial Camemberts. As good as it looks.
June: Dedicated tree-planters get the first 300 in.
June: Green hills and green tree-guards.
July: Hiking at Rapid Bay.
July: Gathering reveg inspiration, Rapid Bay.
August: Perfect boating weather.
August: Gathering more inspiration at Wagtail Urban Farm’s Open Day for Fair Food Week. Check it out at http://wagtailurbanfarm.wordpress.com/
August: Greens at Wagtail Urban Farm Open Day. Check it out at http://wagtailurbanfarm.wordpress.com/
August: Asher inspects the last remaining seedlings for planting, throwing or emptying onto the ground.
August: Green roof, Hay Flat.
The sun through rain. Strange and murky skies near Sellicks.
Thanks to all those who have helped with tree-planting, ideas, moral support and more over the last 9 months!
Yarnauwi Farm 
Hi Joel, Sophie and Asher. Always so great to see what’s going on down at your new place. Keep up the good work! We Planted rocket and cos lettuce last week, more herbs and Purple King climbing beans near chook pen. Cape Gooseberry also in today. Down to the beach for tea. Bring on the spring!
Hi Stephen, great to hear from you, and to hear the progress of your garden – now the weather is a little less hostile, come down sometime for a picnic and an explore!
Hi Joel & Sophie (& Asher too!)
I just found your blog through Pinterest – seems we are following each other there! I am so thrilled to read of your adventures – especially as they are similar to our own. We moved back to sa after almost 8 years in Melbourne, desperate to be out of the city & start growing our own food, being in-touch with the seasons a bit more. We are on a property in the adelaide hills with 5acres – quite a bit smaller than yours! But absolutely loving the change & being able to raise our kids (lachie 4 & maya 1), in a way that means their childhood is predominately outside & creative. Anyway, looks like you guys have a great project there & I just think it’s awesome – humans aren’t designed to watch tv with all their spare time!
I’d love to hear from you & really hope you are all going well. Lots of love, Libby roberts