Week 3 -- 02/18-02/24

Week 3

On monday we planted trees in the lower swale (a water harvesting ditch on contour, or level so the water soaks into the ground slowly) before the creek called the beehive swale. When we got down there everyone noticed that in the bottom of the swale Native silky oaks were already growing. Which is a very good thing. One even started growing right next to a stake that was placed for a tree to be planted. Mother nature helping out.

On Tuesday we gathered sweet potato and lemon grass for the olive branch. Another swale with a few Olive trees. We collected old cardboard and newspaper to lay down for weed suppression. then planted the sweet potato and lemon grass into the paper. and then layed straw and bamboo leaves on top. This adds nutrients to the soil and discourages weed growth.

On Wednesday after brekky we all discussed a new system for morning chores. everyone felt with the current system we were cooking and cleaning too often. So we cahnged from two teams to 3 teams and simplified the duties so everyone had more time away from cooking. We'll see how it goes. Then Dan talked to Ryan and I about the internship, how it was going and we all agreed that everyone has been so busy because we are a bit under staffed that we haven't really gotten into a more structured mentoring. So Dan gave us a report to do based on the tress we planted in the lower swale. we need to reasearch the trees, describe their cultural notes and basically explain why they were chosen and what effects one can expect.

Thursday was the start of new system. We did some maintenance in the main crop. Cutting back cow pea in the basil beds. the cow pea is planted when the beds are cleared for weeds suppression. It grows really fast so you need to keep cutting it back until the veggies or herbs are taller then it and then it won't affect them anymore. We also cut back the flowers on the basil to keep it from seeding and to allow the basil to continue to produce. First sunny day with blue skies in a few days. Its nice but hot as hell in the sun. Good for the solar panels. The Currently the only source of power is the solar panels and a petrol generator. They definitely need another system to generate power, to take the load off the solar panels and as a back up when it is cloudy. wind, hydro are all possibilities. I think a combination of multiple systems is a better approach then looking for one magical system.

Friday- Bob Jones came down from the catchment management office to Tour the farm and talk about applying for funding to do restoration work on the creek edge that borders the bottom of the farm. Most of the funding is so people can buy the trees to plant but they already have the trees growing in the nursery and prefer to grow them instead of buy them anyway. The guy seemed real impressed with Dan, who basically runs the nursery and in the swale above the creek where we planted trees earlier in the week there were Silk Oaks a native tree already sprouting by itself. One even sprouted right near a stake Dan layed out earlier where he was going to plant a tree. Needless to say the guy was psyched on that.
It was hot like 87ºF. so after taking the tour with the guy it was time to swim in the pond.

Saturday was even hotter it got up to 95ºF too hot to do anything outside.
lots of swimming in the pond

On sunday Tom, Ryan, Sink and I headed to Yamba a little south east on the coast for some surfing and fishing. It was sweet, really nice tan powdery sand and barely anyone there. The waves were actually a bit big for the longboard we brought. And after the center fin came out after Tom went out it was pretty much worthless. So I just went swimming instead. Warm water probably like 75 80 degrees. Next time I'll have to rent a shortboard. We also did some fishing off the rocks but we didn't catch anything. everyone around seemed to do ok. One guy came over to borrow a knife because the fish he caught bit his buddy's finger and wouldn't let go. Ouch.

Oh and tidal pools on the rocks were really cool.



Sea Anemone tentacles feel like sticky sandpaper





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