First Harvest

The weather these past couple of weeks has been so miserable making it near impossible to service our clients.  However, despite being hugely frustrating, we're receiving a wonderful amount of rain which will lead us into a fabulous Spring.  We've been making the most of our time off by more unpacking and getting things set up.  I've been sorting out my succulent collection, taking cuttings for large scale propagation to plant out one of the front garden beds whilst Heath's been setting up the workshop.  We've also nutted out where the greenhouses, veggie patches and chickens will go as well as a new water tank in the future and potting station.  Being able to finally build on our permaculture-style life is sooooo exciting as we've never had enough space before.  We've tried our best on a small scale and the change has been so rewarding body, mind and spirit-wise.

Being Winter, and our main source of heating being wood-fire, foraging for wood and kindling has become a regular task.  Thankfully we have a large area down the back which is native bush so we've been collecting branches that have come down in the recent heavy winds.  Seeing 20 metre gumtrees swaying almost horizontally is unnerving.  Thankfully no damage save for old limbs gifted for firewood.

Whilst we were down there, we noticed the ground erupting with wild mushrooms.  The way the earth breaks open and up comes beautiful fungus is incredibly fascinating and something I've found so wonderful to observe. I've always wanted to grow my own mushrooms and from what we've seen, the environment seems perfect here.  After noticing one of my favourites was being imported, no time could be better than to start now.   Knowing how our food is grown is important to us. We were able to purchase a tester with plentiful mycelium riddling the block.

The pins have been bursting through the sides over the past few weeks and over the past few days, each day they've been doubling in size.  When I came home from work tonight, one beautiful massive mushroom was perched on top of the block and just in time for dinner.  I'm soooo happy - here's the first mushroom ready for harvest ....

The deep earthy flavour was mouth-watering and gave the dish such a truffle type flavour - Yummo!

Well it's time for bed and the magpies are still chortling.  Gosh I love this place ..... 

Enjoy your week!