Diversity

 Regenerating soils means farming your underground livestock.

It then comes back at you tenfold -better drought resistance, healthy stock, good water absorption and retention and as amazing bird and insect life above ground. Such a beautiful place to be!!

We have a diverse range of tree/shrub species to feed the different types of fungi, birds and insects and our 'big' livestock in times of drought or when they can reach. These also give us materials for building, and making baskets, charcoal, fire starters, mushrooms, mulch, fruit and nuts........and shelter when we need it.

Our pastures are diverse too this one has; Chickory, 4 types of clover, birdsfoot trefoil, yarrow, 2 plantains, dandelion, foxtail, perennial rye, yorkshire fog, paspalum, dock, buttercup, comfrey, jerusalem artichoke, ............ 

Pulsing animals through this system supercharges it.

Charcoal pencils

Charcoal off gassing in my charcoal tin. I love watching the gasses as they burn.

When the flame goes out I remove the tin from the fire and turn the tin upside down to cool and stop any further combustion.

Willow knot

What a wet workshop.

We;

- went for a hikoi and found out about the different types of willow.

- looked at willow working techniques.

- designed our own projects.

- harvested our willow.

- built our own living hut.

And it rained!!!

Pruning

Time to prune. Unwanted branches should be cut back to the wrinkly 'healing tissue' on the main branch so the tree can heal itself easily.

Willow fodder

Our sheep really enjoy willow at this time of the year. It is usually high in tannins so should help with any worms they may have.

Together

Willow grafts really easy. It is amazing how strong our house is after one year. A great climbing frame.

Willow hedgehog

Our willow house has sprouted. We will have lots of wood for arrows, charcoal, our rocket stove, new houses.........

Outside my window

Inside it is cool shade.

Living house

Our house is growing!!!

Many hands...

...make light work. And loads of fun.

We planted our house this morning.

It is usually a damp, forgotten corner -perfect for willow.

Now there is a place to visit.

We 'carpeted' our house with a thick layer of newspaper to stop the weeds and cabbage tree leaves for our bare feet. Our seats are a few burls of wood.