permaculture

[Robyn Williamson <rz.williamson@optusnet.com.au>]

Hi Kelly - in the end we've got what we've got and must all DO 
something...anything.

I would recommend reading  "urban eden" by Adam & James CAPLIN, 
published by Kyle Cathie Limited, 122 Arlington Road, London NW17HP.  
The first chapter, "healthy gardens" pp 12-31 covers the topic well.

Also "really small gardens" by Jane BILLINGTON, The Royal Horticultural 
Society ... a practical guide to gardening in a truly small space.
Quadrille Publishing Limited, Alhambra House, 27-31 Charing Cross Road, 
London WC2H0LS has
-over 150 photographs of truly small gardens
-detailed garden plans
-over 30 illustrated planting schemes
-a wealth of ideas for contemporary yards and rooftops
-150 of the best plants for small gardens
-practical advice for a good-looking garden year-round

There's another little book out of mother england called "Postage Stamp 
Gardening" but i don't have the details.  does anyone else know it?

We are motivating local people around us (in Sydney) to start repairing 
their own bits of earth, reducing, recycling etc. and NOT watering,
PLANTING TREES et al

Apart from money, pollution is the only thing that cities produce in 
large quantities.
The other one being waste.  These 3 elements combined produce 
contagious diseases in human populations, in large quantities.  When 
you add politicians to the equation, watch out, i.e. specifically your 
back, and sides, and for people taking pictures.

Wishing you all the best of luck in your projects
robinet

On Wednesday, March 31, 2004, at 08:03 am, Kelly Lockamy wrote:

> thanks for the suggestion, however, soil testing is only one small 
> facet of
> an environment under constant onslaught.  soil testing is the first 
> step to
> even see if the area is worth developing, but my real concern is how 
> far
> away from traffic is it safe to plant, what about air borne 
> overspraying
> from neighbors, what about water runnoff from neighboring areas, what 
> about
> rainwater and it's contents?  can a garden with healthy produce be 
> created
> in an urban environment?
> any reference materials you all know about would be helpful.
> thanks again,
> kelly

> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Elliott M" <melliott@stuartholme.qld.edu.au>
> To: <permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 2004 4:24 PM
> Subject: [permaculture] city pollution -one little idea

> I think you'd have to get some soil tests done. Plant heavy metal
> accumulators (beetroot ??)and then get them tested to see what they've
> accumulated.

Robyn Williamson
PDC, Urban Horticulturist
Hon Sec, Fagan Park Community Eco Garden Committee
Local Seed Network Coordinator
North Western Sydney Community Seed Savers
ph/fx:  (612) 9629 3560
email:  rz.williamson@optusnet.com.au
http://www.communityfoods.com.au
http://www.au.gardenweb.com/directory/fpceg
http://www.seedsavers.net

The eco garden is located at Fagan Park, Arcadia Road, Galston 2159, 
open every day to the public.
$4 per car for parking, buses $2 per passenger, free entry for 
ecowarriors, walkers, cyclists and volunteers.
Bus transport from Pennant Hills Station and Castle Hill to Fagan Park.
Glenorie Bus Company phone  (02) 9651 1944
Sydney Transport Info Line 13 15 00
Please contact us if you would like to volunteer in the community eco 
garden on Mondays and/or Fridays.
Ecowarriors contact:  sallyramsden@bigfoot.com

Next meeting:

EARTH DAY 22/04/04

high noon

in the shed

behind Netherby Cottage

Fagan Park Community Eco Garden
Arcadia Road
GALSTON

be there to learn how

we are planting wattles to fix N in the soil

and HOW we are rehabilitating

a grossly disturbed site