Nirvana Biodynamics

I am often asked ‘what grows in the hills’ Growing conditions and seasons can be very localised. Heathfield is in the highest rainfall (1200mm) part of the hills. Many areas also have a variety of micro climates which is worth bearing in mind. Fruit growing at Nirvana Apple : Granny Smith, Golden delicious , Jonathon, Red Fuji, Avocado Berries *Raspberries : Nootka, Chiliwack, yellow’ , Heritage * Blackcurrant: Hatton black, Baldwin, Magnus *Red currant *White currant *English gooseberries : Farmers glory, Green Giant, Yorkshire champion, Late red. Jostaberries Blue berries : Northland, Blue Rose, Denise, Brigitta, Blue Rose Elderberries Bunya pine Cherry *Chestnuts (a mix of varieties) Citrus: Tangelo: Minneola; Mandarins; Kara, Imperial; Blood orange; Maltese; Seville orange; Navel orange; Washington; Sweet orange; Grapefruit: Marsh; Lemon; Myer: rough seedling; Tahitian Lime; Kaffir Lime ...

A very succesful share occured at Nirvana Farm last Saturday.The initiative came as a way of Nirvana Organic Farm celebrating 30 years of growing bio-dynamically and living a lifestyle in tune with nature and sharing  knowledge to the wider south Australian community. What a hoot! 19 mostly very local households contributed and shared their excess produce in an amazing gesture of generosity. The range of produce was impressive from the initial response of...” oh, I’ve only got lemons “, to what overwhelmed the table capacity and the need to fetch another. Some of the produce included avocadoes, lettuce, carrots, fennel, broad beans, silverbeet, rhubarb, mustard greens ,kaffir lime leaves, lots of herbs, green tomato chutney, biscuits, brownies, preserved lemons, seville oranges, tangelos and of course lots of lemons. Perhaps next time everyone will want lemons to make Nirvana’s lemonade! But there were more goodies that required a third table. These were plants, including strawbe...

An opportunity for our Heathfield community to come together to share surplus home grown or homemade produce. 3rd Saturday of the month from 3pm – 4pm at   Nirvana Organic Farm’s classroom 184 Longwood Rd  Heathfield. Dates and times may change according to seasonal conditions and community needs. First swap OCTOBER 20th 2012 COME ALONG AND SWAP Fresh home grown fruit and vegetables Herbs Home Baked goods Homemade jams and preserves Plants, seeds, seedlings and cuttings Or just come along for a chat and a cuppa     Run by local residents totally not for profit no money changes hands no cost, no strings attached everyone welcome   People come to this with a spirit of generosity and community. All produce goes onto a communal table and then we can all take what we would like and what we think is a fair swap. No money is to be exchanged fo...

The first thing you notice about my home vegetable garden is that it is well fenced to keep poultry and dogs out. The large banana passionfruit vine is a good deterrent as they can’t see through and see what they are missing. As you enter there is always a vast array of vegies, some growing, some ready for the table and some going to seed to ensure future crops. Established in 1983 the annual  garden is 10 x 18 m and includes a tool shed (in need of new door!) propagation area, cold frames and its own compost area. THIS VEGETABLE GARDEN IS DESIGNED TO PRODUCE A STEADY SUPPLY OF TOP QUALITY PRODUCE WITH MINIMUM WORK. THE BASIC FEATURES ARE : *PERMANENT RAISED BEDS. The soil from pathways was used to build beds. Each bed is enclosed to keep soil in. The width of the bed ensures easy reach. GARDEN BEDS SHOULD NEVER BE WALKED ON!!!! *VEGETABLES ARE GROWN IN SOIL ENRICHED WITH OUR OWN BIO DYNAMIC COMPOST. * EAC...

Kiwifruit are the last of the deciduous fruits to be harvested. most commercial crops are harvested in May, at this time they can be stored for a long time and really only ripen when taken from cold storage then  allowed to ripen. However when left on the vine to ripen  and harvested in July they are fully ripe and can be eaten straight away. They do not store as long  BUT their  taste is amazingly great. Our Kiwifruit had a bit of disaster this season when in April a large stringy bark branch crashed right through the middle breaking the trellis posts , wires and plants. Now the kiwifruit has been harvested I can get in and prune them before replacing the posts and wires. Kiwifruit are great to eat fresh, their refreshing taste is so good and blends well with winter climate. They also add a zing to a green salad and go well on a cheese platter. As with most fruits they can also be turned into cakes,topping sorbets ,chutneys and jam. They also dry extre...

If you want top quality chestnuts then there no better place to purchase them direct from a grower. By about now in the supermarkets and fruit shop you’ll see plenty of dull, soft chestnuts – the price like most local produce is well below the cost of  production .DO  NOT BUY THEM they are rubbish. When p urchasing Chestnuts they should look shiny and feel firm and cool. Don't buy dull and crackly nuts because you will be disappointed. At Nirvana Farm we have been growing and selling chestnuts direct from our farm for 30 years as well as  roasting them in our local village , Stirling. Our chestnuts are hand harvested every day, graded and placed in our cold room at 0c,Each weekend during the season Quentin cooks them in Stirling. As well as tasting delicious they are our quality control. When you purchase fresh chestnuts from the farm they are fresher and younger than the batch that are being cooked. All nuts are logged and sold in order Chestnuts are fresh...