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Kemp Street
Elements

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The Kemp Stree Project is the conversion of our inner city paved courtyard to thriving, very low-maintenance permaculture gardern over a 18 month period.

Compost Bins

We use two compost bins and a worm farm to keep up with the volume of organic waste from the garden and kitchen food scraps. We also have several comfrey plants, which are good starters for any compost. Fig leaves, warragul greens and even oleander leaves are also added for carbonaceous and green materials. Lime is added regularly.

Worm Farm

The worm farm takes some of our kitchen waste and the food scraps from our upstairs neighbour. It has been modified by drilling holes to allow the worm juice to drain directly into the yellow bucket for distribution on our veges.

Grey Water System

Our grey water system is used to supply summer watering during water restrictions. The components of the system consist of one dirty baby, a bath, a bildge pump, a motorbike battery, a 12 Volt solar panel, a garden hose and a 310 lt mini tank. The pump, battery and solar panel are sold at our local supplier of green hardware "The Enivronment Shop" on High street, Thornbury for $120.

Pond

The pond was put in place to offer a home to frogs, drinking water for birds, and a small feature in the garden. It is also provides a medium in which to grow watercress, vietnamese coriander and other herbs. A solar powered pump helps keep the water aerated.

Fruit Trees

As well as the establish fig tree, we have planted a minature lemon, minature apple (pink lady), and avacado. We also planted a macadamia nut and olive tree outside the fence in the shared garden.

Vegetable crops

Vegetable and herb crops include broccolli, collards, kale, lettuce, parsley, coriander, watercress, dandelion greens, roquette/arugula, pak-choi, French sorrel, perennial and annual spinaches, swede, spring onions, vietnamese coriander/mint, artichokes, capsicum, chili peppers, tomatoes, gotu kola.

In such a small area, we have focussed on greens as, for us, it's imperative that they be fresh.

The aim of the vegetable garden is to be low-maintenance and hardy as well as productive. We include as many perennials as possible, such as sorrel, watercress, dandelions, perennial spinaches, chives and gotu-kola. Perennials will survive and provide through the hot and dry summer months. Strategies for annuals include side-picking greens and allowing reseeding. Side-picking lettuce can lengthen the production life of a lettuce to 3 months; picking smaller heads off broccolli after the main head has been eaten to 6 months or more; spring onions can provide for a year or more if only individual leaves are picked. We use organic, heritage seed, which are more likely to reseed themsleves: roquette, spring onion and chives, and pak-choi are good reseeders.

Edging

The edging added depth next to the path, making more growing space and helping stop mulch, soil and water escaping.

Ornamentals

Ornamentals add diversity and beauty to any garden and encourage people to spend time there. Edibles can also add to the beauty of a garden with their own flowers and colours.

Snail Trap

Snails are often a problem. They can be trappd and killed in snail traps baited with beer.