Creek Street Micro Farm

[GaryD]

Hi,

Several years ago, we set out to make our place.....Creek Street Micro Farm.....a showcase of backyard food production strategies.

While we were making useful progress, we still fell short of what we really wanted. We found that we were making too many compromises and that our 'showcase' was becoming a bit piecemeal.

Over the past year, we've gradually wound our operation down. Several months ago, we shut down our quail propagation unit and, a few weeks ago, we sold our 4 Tank aquaponics system.

We've decided that it's time to take a blank canvas approach to the house yard.....and to the 1/2 acre paddock beyond that.

When we bought the place, it was covered in trees.....some of which were pest varieties (like Chinese Elm) and others were just past their use-by date or in the wrong place. Several of the trees cast winter shade across much of the yard and limiting what we could grow.

Over the years, we've thinned out the regrowth but some of the larger trees required something a bit bigger than my baby Stihl so, today, the tree loppers came in to commence the removal of 15 more trees.

In the beginning, the only level spot on our block was the backdoor step. Over the years, we leveled a site for our shed and then later for our aquaponics system.

The recent departure of our 4 Tank System clears the way for a micro-farm kitchen and BBQ space. We'd like to be able to set this area up for relaxation and outdoor eating and for post-harvest processing of our produce.

This weekend, a bobcat and mini-excavator will began to re-shape the rest of the backyard to accommodate our new Queenslander aquaponics system.

We've pondered using the back paddock to keep a couple of goats or even a little Dexter cow. Aside from the removal of some trees, this area will stay pretty much as it is until the backyard is finished.

Picture #1 - a view of the backyard from a raised deck on the side of the house. Our 4 Tank System was located in the foreground. This space is where we plan to put the micro-farm kitchen. Our new aquaponics system will end up closer to the shed.

Picture #2 - a view from the backyard into the back paddock. All of the trees in the centre of the photo are no longer standing.

Picture #3 - another view of the backyard - from the shed end.

Gary

[Shane]

Hi Gary,
Looks like a lot of busy, yet exciting times ahead for you.
Looking forward to following your plans for your property as you progress.

Do you intend your "Queenslander' AP system to be larger than the previous 4 tank setup you had?

Cheers,
Shane.

[GaryD]

Hi Shane,

The 4 Tank System comprised two 950 litre tanks and two 1250 litre tanks.

We'll be building two systems......one will be 2000 litres and the other will be 1000 litres. Having said that The Queenslander is a design concept that can be applied to any size tank.

Gary

[GaryD]

Hi,

This was a big week on Creek Street Micro Farm.

The tree removal is progressing nicely and today, the bobcat and mini-excavator re-shaped the backyard (to put it mildly).

We extended the bottom tier of the backyard (closest to the shed) and this is where our new microponics systems will be located.

The top tier was also extended. We'll be putting up a vine-covered pergola arrangement directly outside of the back door. This is the consequence of Jan having read one too many books on Tuscany.

Beyond the pergola, will be a space for our growing systems.

Gary

[GaryD]

Hi,

The tree removal phase of our backyard project is coming to a close.

Gary

[GaryD]

We've now got a heap of wood.......and a blank canvas in the places where we needed it.

Gary

[GaryD]

Hi,

Here's a mud map of our emerging Microponics unit.

Gary

[poohbear]

Nice setup going there but whenever I hear the term 'micro' to me it always means things that are microscopic. IMHO I think the term 'microponics' should be 'miniponics' and relate to small spaces like apts/dorm small spaces.

Sorry mini vent there.

[GaryD]

Hi Pooh Bear,

The micro part of Microponics is derived from micro-farming and micro-livestock. In any case, I don't know you'd go running a bunch of chickens (or fish for that matter) in the appartment or dorm.

Gary

[GaryD]

Hi,

The recent departure of several old or nuisance trees required the removal of the stumps today.

This little toy is remote controlled and costs $100K. It proved to be capable of precision work......grinding stumps that were millimetres from fences etc.

The Bandit climbed off its trailer, sorted a dozen stumps and climbed back onto its trailer......all within one hour. I've never been happier to part with $300.

Gary