The year was 2019-2020. We have chosen this plot of land for our vegetable patch. It was barren, soil condition was bad. We just did a massive clean up by removing all kind of junk - broken glasses, rusty metal and iron, plastics and other odd stuff that makes you wonder why would anyone discard it blatantly without any consideration for the environment ?
Yea is a cattle town, from what we gathered. Most farm owners bred their own cows for their meat. So you will see a lot of big acreage farm land - that will have a lot of grass (as feed for their cows), limited or few big old trees scattered across the land (barely providing any shelter for the livestocks) and agriculture dams. Our land was no different - the previous owner probably had some lamb (hence the existence of the lamb shearing shed) and agisted their land to the neighbour for a petty change.
Trees are chopped down to create more space for the cows to graze. Back from where we were from, our forest were lush, and our landscape filled with flora and fauna. As seasons changes here, you will see the drastic change from winter to summer. The landscape changes with the season - the entire landscape turns dry, yellow and brown during the hot seasons. In Autumn, mist sets so low by evening and winter is cold and frosty. But I guess that's the charm about Yea.
Above : The acreage for our vegetable patch.
Before we could even plant anything, we had to treat the condition of the soil . We added top soil, water them in, added compost and mulch them. It was a big job - and back breaking !
While we are doing this, we realised the importance of saving the soil and planting more greens - we can make a difference by starting this in our own farm. Since neither of us know much about gardening / farming or hoticulture, so I turned to the internet for guidance. And that's when I learnt about regenerative gardening - and I was fascinated and eager to put what I know to practice.
So what's regenerative gardening ?
Regenerative Gardening
Regenerative gardening is an approach that focuses on restoring and enhancing the health of the soil, ecosystems, and biodiversity while growing food and plants. This method goes beyond sustainability, aiming to improve the environment and create resilient ecosystems. Here are some key principles and practices associated with regenerative gardening:
Key Principles
Soil Health: Prioritizing the health of the soil through practices that enhance its structure, fertility, and microbial diversity.
Biodiversity: Encouraging a diverse range of plants, insects, and microorganisms to create a balanced ecosystem.
Water Management: Implementing techniques to conserve water and enhance natural water cycles.
Carbon Sequestration: Using plants and soil management practices that capture and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Closed-Loop Systems: Creating systems that recycle nutrients and materials, reducing waste and reliance on external inputs.
Practices in Regenerative Gardening
Composting: Recycling organic waste to create nutrient-rich compost that enhances soil health.
Cover Cropping: Planting cover crops to protect and enrich the soil during off-seasons.
Permaculture Design: Designing garden layouts that mimic natural ecosystems, promoting harmony among plants and wildlife.
No-Till Gardening: Minimizing soil disturbance to preserve soil structure and microbial life.
Crop Rotation: Alternating different crops to prevent soil depletion and pest buildup.
Benefits of Regenerative Gardening
Improved Soil Fertility: Enhances nutrient availability and soil structure.
Increased Biodiversity: Supports a variety of species, contributing to ecosystem resilience.
Climate Mitigation: Helps sequester carbon and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Water Conservation: Enhances water retention and reduces runoff.
Healthier Food Production: Produces nutrient-dense food while reducing reliance on chemical inputs.
Incorporating regenerative gardening practices can lead to a more sustainable and resilient gardening experience, benefiting both the gardener and the environment.
And it took us 5 years to achieve what we've set out to do.
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