Nirvana Biodynamics

While being busy with orchard harvests and biodynamic preparations, both making and applying, I’ve also managed to do some maintenance on the perennial gardens raised beds. The main vegetable area has also had a makeover by removing the ‘wild area’ around the edge of the garden. This area had become seriously entangled with kikuyu, couch and comfrey so much so it was starting to invade parts of the garden. It was dug out removing as much of the invading weeds as possible but I know there will be missed bits to be removed for the next few years. I was going to plant a green manure crop but in the end planted onions there- a bit of a mistake and what you get for impatience as now the onions have been swamped by soursobs – oh well a little more weeding required. (It’s a good thing I enjoy weeding) On the other side of this bed is the pumpkins patch a 10x 9 square metre garden also with kikuyu invading. I’ve now dug this area over removing as much as possible so it’s now ready for the gree...

Tonight I sat on the veranda and celebrated the completion of putting out the autumn bio dynamic preparations. After a long hot and dry summer it was wonderful that autumn arrived and delivered some much needed rain, although the springs have not started running or the creek flowing yet it’s a good start. If the ants are any indication the serious rains are on the way as they have built up their nests at least 4inches. While walking through the orchard th e other morning I noticed the most amazing aroma, an aroma I had never experienced before, an arom a that eclipsed that of rain on dust! Up to that moment my most favourite smell. But the earthy, damp, sweet, like humus rich compost aroma filled the air.It felt like the soil had become light and moved into the air. I thought may be being morning it was rising from the earth and the dew had contributed to the aroma and feel so I retur ned latter in the morning then early afternoon and again at sunset it was the sa...

So much yummy fresh food driect from our vegie garden.

Get them while there fresh. Available direct from the farm 11am- 5pm daily. Fresh local produce drirect from farm to you. Hot roasted Chestnuts available on weekends in Stirling main street from 26th April. See you soon

March here at Heathfield is the time our tomatoes finally reach their peak. It may be a long wait for some but its how our season goes. The seeds are planted with under heat in the polly house in August, transplanted into the garden in October, start to ripen mid January but reach their best by the end of February –beginning of March. This year has been a good season and the flavour is exceptional. Despite all the gardening advice ,I grow the tomatoes I raise from seed in the same bed every year – well for the last 5 in their current bed. They are watered via drip once a week. The bed is prepared each September when winter crop allocated to the bed is finished by digging in my biodynamic compost. The whole vegie garden receives applications of biodynamic 500, Firstly tomorrow as it has rained 36.5mm today so far (First since I can’t remember , maybe October last year.) then again in April, September and December. Over the early growing season it also receives some ccp & nettle spr...

A couple of days before the heat wave really set in the large twisted willow that shaded the ‘west wing’ poultry house broke in two halves and fell down . Wind and the Willow There was an urgent need for shade and cooling as it housed some new pullets, a mum with 8 chicks (1 week old) plus a broody hen that where not yet ready to free range and keep cool under the trees. I fitted a mister in each pen and a mini wobbler sprinkler on the roof. All these put out very low volumes of water and cooled the area very efficiently. The morning sun was very fierce as it shone directly on the pens so I fixed some hession and shade cloth around the pens while I designed some simple awnings that would provide shade and ventilation. Here’s my simple awning. It is lightweight yet strong and has not moved in strong winds. Using 15mm PVC water pipe and elbows make a frame to fit the area required to cover. Sew on shade cloth. Strong thread or fishing line is best. Attach a length of timber using a small...

Due to the heatwave our annual goose plucking, normally done just before Australia Day had been delayed. Last Thursday evening an enthusiastic team of helpers arrived to experience their food from paddock to plate. The tasks at hand where carried out in a party atmosphere and each helper got a dressed bird, livers and fat to take home and enjoy. On Sunday, I made some pate and Quentin roasted the goose, with his special stuffing ,teamed with heaps of v egies from the garden add a couple of friends, some nice reds, a pleasant evening on the veranda and you end up with a great evening, goose that melted in your mouth and the wonderful flavour- something that money can’t buy! …and we have another 11 in the freezer so look forward to one a month. I’ve also made lots of stock from feet , gizzards, herbs and vegies as well as rendered down a years supply of goose fat. Maybe goose processing is not the most enjoyable task but we make it fun and the rewarding meals are worth it. Nothing bette...