Goshen & Katrina were looking for a small family home within walking distance to schools, transport and shops. In 2008 they found a renovated, 1950’s brick-veneer home on 1,000m² of land only 3 minutes walk from the high street. The block had been almost entirely cleared as the previous owner’s intention was to build units, but luckily these plans fell through, and the potential for an immense permaculture garden was immediately apparent to the new owners!

The renovation was (unfortunately) not very eco-minded, no insulation, gas central heating and a very hot westerly aspect to the new ‘sunroom’.

Some changes were made (low-hanging fruit); like solar system, ceiling insulation, decommissioning the central heating and installing an efficient gas wall-heater and passive solar heater. Other changes included replacing down-lights with just two compact fluro globes, and plumbed in a water tank to toilets and laundry. It’s not an eco-home, but allowed for comfortable living on a much reduced energy budget.

With such a blank canvas for the garden, the hunt was on for materials from the word go. Recycled bricks, used pavers & wood of all sizes and shapes were collected and stockpiled. Mulch, straw and trailer loads of stable manure were collected for the garden.

Major infrastructure installed included additional decking area with a 5,000lt bladder tank underneath, additional water tanks, paving and central plunge-pond (on a budget). A custom built glass house – built with the help of Goshen’s dad in 2010 (at the same time of the arrival of their son Asher), and the ‘anti-aviary’ completed the major infrastructure and contributes significantly to the productivity of the site and the well-being of the people involved with it.

Challenges have included multiple battles with various invasive grasses, heavy clay soil, drainage and difficulties directing water flows on a flat site.

Permaculture features prominently – with nearly all recycled materials, water flows, rainwater harvesting, chickens & guinea pigs, food forest area, and multiple compost systems operating simultaneously.

Resilience

Although connected to mains electricity, water and gas (all used responsibly of course); small investments have been made in resilience and backups for these major functions. There is 3000lt of clean tank water in a shade-house that isn’t connected

to a pump. Indoor fire and a rocket stove outdoors could be utilised for heating and cooking, and small solar panels & rechargeable batteries – for what extent power is actually required in case of an outage.

Waste

All garden and kitchen waste is composted, especially with the help of the chickens, worms and guinea pigs. Recycling is put out around once a month, and the general waste bin rarely more than every third week.

• The gardens are maintained on rainwater for 11 months of the year on average.
• Inputs: Straw, odd bag of manure, chicken feed, coffee grounds from café, lawn clippings from contractors.
• 32 varieties of herbs & dozens of edible weeds
• 37 fruit & nut trees
• 6 varieties of berries
• Areas under production: 100m² (intensive / veg garden); 250m² (food forest & perennial style permaculture); Potential for much more…

Current & Future Plans

In 2013, Goshen closed down his own retail business, with the proceeds enabling the family to be debt free.

In 2015, “Watts Permaculture” was officially launched, with multiple (if still very small) income streams from plant and produce sales, permaculture design and some permaculture landscaping work. Katrina works in Geelong on a part time basis, allowing the permaculture business to establish without pressure of supporting an entire family.

 The potential to earn an income from permaculture in an urban setting is being explored, including the recent addition of a mini market garden in a land-share arrangement, supplying veg boxes and produce to a local restaurant or two. Services are in high demand, and the future looks bright.

Visit: wattspermaculture.com.au