Accept feedback

“Apply self regulation and accept feedback” is one of the permaculture principles. In my original site design from 2023, I had placed the tropical fruit trees down the back of the site, in the chicken run. With these rainy days, however, the area becomes quite soggy (run-off on the gentle slope and rainwater tank overflow ends up here), which is not ideal for these plants. 

Rather than being rigid with the idea that the orchard be in the chicken run to utilise the chooks’ pest control services, I have decided to place natives that are suited to rainforest or creeks. The fruit trees will instead line the South fence line to provide screening from neighbours and shade for the gingers and turmeric.

As I learn more about my site and the climate patterns, it is necessary to continually adapt the design and plan.