Brackendell Urban Farm

06/03/2026

If you’re a friend of Brackendell you’re invited to our next house concert in a few weeks.. be quick, tickets selling fast!

05/02/2026

As we switch from town to tank water for the summer I’ve been mindful of how much water we use in the garden, particularly after reading an article on ABC news “How the garden sprinkler conquered Australia”

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-01/sprinkler-water-resources-garden-green-desert-reticulation/106244818?utm_source=abc_news_app&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_campaign=abc_news_app&utm_content=link

This morning I did some calculations on our water use since installing automatic irrigation, and the results are in..
In the three years since our $2000 (parts only) system was put in, our water use has increased 30% over the full year. Comparing the three years since installation with the three years before, It’s up 33% in summer, up 60% in spring, but down 16% in winter and down 30% in autumn.
So from that I can see that our water is being used more accurately, when the garden needs it. Our system is linked to weather data, so it responds when it’s cooler or when rain is predicted by decreasing the irrigation durations.
I’m pretty happy with that.
And from my rainfall records I see that in the three years rainfall has averaged 488mm ,down from 647mm average. That’s 25% less rain!
So on the whole I’m satisfied the irrigation system with the Hunter X2 controller is doing its job.
Our task now is to find new ways to reduce water use and use more recycled water, and more stored rainfall, particularly water from the dam and creek that so far we haven’t tapped.
Stay tuned for more!

14/10/2025

We are excited to announce that Brackendell is participating in the Torquay Open Gardens day this year.
Yes, our garden will be open to the public 10am-3pm on Saturday 8th November!
Plus, in true Brackendell style, we will be having :
- Live music by The Tooleybucks between 1-3pm,
- Devonshire teas and cakes, and
- Permaculture talks and guided walks all day!
But wait, there's more!
Our good friend and artist Cinnamon Stevens will be setting up Garden ART throughout the garden - art inspired by gardens by local artists will be available to view and acquire!
Five other gardens are also open.
Register to get the full program sent to your inbox, using this link.
Be inspired!

A sneak peek at the garden line up for this year's event. There will be opportunities to grab a coffee, bite to eat or pick up a new plant/art work as you explore the gardens. ​Register now to...

15/01/2025

The toilet paper is laid down in two layers over wetted finely cultivated soil, and helps when sprinkling the seed (you can see them easily and sprinkle them thinly) and keeps the seed moist on warm days.
Another layer of paper, water and a fence paling on top, which is removed after germination in around 10 days.

17/01/2024

I’m digging this crop of summer green manure.
No I actually really mean it, I’m digging it back into the ground!
It’s a mix of Persian Clover, arrow leaf clover, Belarusian Clover, Crimson Clover (hang on wasn’t that a hit by Joan Jett back in the 80’s?), Hairy Vetch, wooly Pod Vetch, safflower, radish, Phacelia, Oats, Black Mustard and Yellow Mustard!
Great for the soil, and great for the insects including beneficial predators and pollinators.
I’m preparing this, one of my sunniest beds, for winter crops, but there’s still time next for a quick crop of peas.

10/10/2023

What’s on my mind? I’ll tell you.

A 222 year old constitution that doesn’t recognise a 60,000 year old culture.

A parliament where lobbyists for big business and corporate greed get full access, while those in our most marginalised communities have no way to speak of their need.

You know what I’m talking about.

Support the proposal to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the constitution and give them Voice over matters that effect them.

Let’s straighten this out.. in our generation.

18/04/2023

Giving these beetroot seedlings a powerball.. worm castings pressed into a ball and placed under each seedling with some compost on the surface to give the little fellers something to nibble on.
In the background you can see the drip line and old palings I use between each row for access, and to cut down on weeds and moisture loss.

27/08/2022

Some friends from next door popped in for a snack.
We ended up having a party woohoo!

12/10/2020

The garden has been getting some TLC with mountains of recycled green waste mulch from the Anglesea tip. Locking in all that great soil moisture ready for the summer heat.
Thanks Scott for the loan of the trailer!

16/04/2020