Harmony Hill: our new farming friends across the Atlantic

[vimeo https://www.vimeo.com/29407346 w=600&h=339]
A video tour of forest edibles at Harmony Hill. Watch more of their videos on their vimeo page (I recommend the ‘Making Nettle Beer’ ones)!

A few weeks ago, I recieved this email:

Hi,

I’m one half of @Harmony_Hill on twitter and been reading and learning about what you’re doing from the website. It’s really impressive and I’ll be sure to keep updated with how you’re getting on. Just had a look at your wish list and although we’re in Britain and shipping to you wouldn’t be that environmentally friendly, what we thought you might like are some seeds. We ordered far too many from the Agroforestry Research Trust and would be more than happy to send you some different varieties. Totally understandable if you only want plants, trees or shrubs but just a thought anyway.

We’ve only been here for just over a month now after leaving London and we’re enjoying it as much as you guys seem to be. We bought this place from a lovely elderly couple who spent the last 10 years transforming 2.5 acres of woodland into this dream forest. When we told them we hoped to turn it into a forest garden they were very keen to tell us they were good friends with John Seymour, who I see is in your resources list. I’m not sure if Martin Crawford is famous in the permaculture circle across the pond but he has been a real help to us and has quite a few clips on youtube.

Anyway, just thought I would reitirrate how much I liked the website and share the love :)

Happy farming,

Louis

I responded enthusiastically (of course) and suggested a cross-Atlantic seed swap. Multiple emails have been shared back and forth since and now I’m wishing that Pembrokeshire, Wales was a lot closer so that we could go and visit the Harmony Hill project in person.

Louis and James describe themselves on twitter as, “two friends leaving London to use permaculture, forest gardening and renewable energy in an effort to earn independence and live a more fulfilling life…”. Their facebook page states, “Who needs money? We’ve decided to try and secure a comfortable future by finding fun and easy ways of making everything we need for ourselves. Permaculture opened a lot of doors and now we’re well on our way. Being greedy and stocking up on $ just didn’t seem fun at all… and you only get one life after all. Fingers crossed we’re not just dreamers :)”.

I like these guys a lot. They recognized their dissatisfaction with the 9-5 status quo lifestyle and they did something about it. Their videos depict two humorous and adventurous guys who are figuring out this ‘growing-your-own-food-and-learning-to-live-in-a-more-simple-yet-valuable-way’ as they go. Kinda like us :)

Louis – thanks for that initial email! We’re stoked about what you’re doing and excited to share seeds, swap stories and watch your own permaculture story unfold.

Harvesting seaweed for the garden

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Okay, I’ve returned from my (awesome) 5 day trip to the Northwest Permaculture Convergence and am back into busy life mode. In the last two days, I’ve tidied up our deep beds, added new compostable layers to garden beds, mowed the lawn, joined the board of a local environmental group, participated in my first hot yoga class, tutored (my acitivity that pays the bills) and spent quality time with good people. It’s rainy out today and I’m tired so it seems like a good day to do some typing from my cozy little nest bed in the trailer.

I’m going to start getting this blog caught up by writing about the harvesting of seaweed for garden beds. I spent Tuesday adding some recently collected seaweed to the hugelkulture bed I’m working on and did the same thing with my lasagna bed last week.

It started a week and a half ago when my friend Chris and I made a trip out to Crescent Beach near White Rock to load up his truck with salty kelp for both of our respective gardens. My sister Stephanie rode her new motorbike out to meet us and lend a hand.

So, why seaweed? Seaweed is chock full of vitamins and minerals that soil loves – and it’s free! Plus, who doesn’t love an excuse to go to the beach? The nutrients found in seaweed help condition soil, making it richer and healthier, resulting in better growing environments for plants. According to some online research, seaweed improves soil fertility, adds nutritional value to fruits and vegetables, encourages more extensive root growth and helps fight off disease and pests. 

And how does one apply seaweed? Most of what I’ve read suggests rinsing seaweed or letting it get washed by rain (not a challenge here) before adding it to garden beds to reduce some of the salt content (there seems to be debate about whether this is really necessary or not). I added it directly onto my hugelkulture and lasagna beds (on top of composted horse manure), about 4 inches thick. You can also add it to your composting system or make a liquid spray fertilizer out of it. Other websites suggest laying it around pre-existing plants to help strengthen the soil they’re growing in.

If you’re going to head down to the beach to try this out, I recommend double-checking that it’s legal to do s
o (official parks, as a general rule, seem to be off limits). I highly recommend (legal) seaweed harvesting though – it’s a fun activity and your soil will thank you! 

Northwest Permaculture Convergence

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I’m heading south tomorrow for the Northwest Permaculture Convergence. It’ll be my first time at an event like this and I’m really excited to hear more about permaculture, meet other people who are involved in permaculture projects and absorb skills and ideas that I can bring back to our own Farm for a Year project. 

I’ll let you know how it is when I return next week. I’ll also catch up on overdue blog posts. Upcoming stories include:

  • greenhouse ideas (including an email & photos from a blog reader)
  • a fun connection with some young permaculture farmers in Wales
  • field trips to the Richmond Sharing Farm
  • seaweed harvesting for our veggie beds
  • and more!

Until then, have a great weekend everyone!