Category Regulars

Read & Watch

He had me at Ferments. Maybe Regenerative, or Mineral and Biological Extracts, and possibly Locally Sourced. It was a combination of the entire title that captured my regenerative grower’s heart. If you, too, are on a journey to grow nutrient-dense food resistant to pests and diseases which leaves your garden in a better state than when you started, then this is the book for you.

Part one looks at nurturing diversity in our soil, the importance of soil biology and mineralogy, plus how to use a refractometer and take a soil test. The second part teaches us how to make the soil amendments using what we have around us such as fermented plant juice with nettle, egg or oyster shells in apple cider vinegar, how to capture and propagate the microorganisms in our soil, harness the biology of leaf mould and make lactic-acid bacteria from rice and raw milk. Once you are ready to go beyond compost and truly nurture your living soil ecosystem, then this guide to sustainable growing is a must-have resource.

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International Projects

permaculture

The Panya Project, established in 2007, is a small permaculture community and education centre nestled in the foothills of northern Thailand. The ten-acre site is a thriving example of low-impact, community-based regenerative living. The small residential community welcomes regular volunteers (pre-Covid, anyway) and together have crafted a number of natural mud buildings, composting toilets, permaculture production gardens and a diverse food forest.

Sitting between forest and conventional farm, it is a great place to learn what a permaculture approach can bring to the land and ecosystem. Over 2000 permaculture students have graduated from programs led by a collection of international visiting teachers. This centre is part of the global movement of permaculture learning centres. Panya’s hope is that those who visit, experience local Thai culture and are inspired to take home positive permaculture ideas into their daily lives – wherever they live.

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Pip Picks – Things We Like

pip-picks

Etiko

ORGANIC SNEAKERS

Ecological footprints don’t get much lighter than those made by Etiko shoes. As well as using organic cotton, natural latex rubber soles, non-toxic dyes and zero animal glues, the box they come in is made from post-consumer waste. Handstitched by Faitrade employees, these Olive Hitops are 100-percent vegan and are just one option of a large range of mens, womens and kids footwear.

$110

www.etiko.com.au

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Pip Noticeboard

noticeboard

SEED MOB LAUNCHES

Seed Mob is set to become Australia’s first Indigenous youth-led environmental organisation. With a vision of a just and sustainable future powered by renewable energy, this national grassroots network of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people have set out to protect country, culture and communities from the impacts of climate change. Support the creation of Seed Mob by donating, joining or becoming a partner. More info can be found at www.seedmob.org.au.

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International Projects

permaculture

One of many Ecosystem Restoration Camps around the world, Contour Lines is helping to protect the Guatemalan rainforest by working with local Mayan communities to transform corn monocultures into abundant food forests. Through regenerating degraded farmlands, the camp hopes to demonstrate the benefits of regenerative agriculture methods to the local community.

One metre at a time, the project is building contour lines with logs and other organic material to slow erosion, improve soil hydration and fertility, before planting fruit trees, legumes and edible annuals into the terraces. So far, the project has

created over 20 kilometres of contours. The local community is deeply involved – it is their land and their project – and are now training other villagers. As well as restoring ecosystem health, this project is also about creating regenerative livelihoods.

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Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor

We’d love to see if we’ve inspired you to embark on any projects. Email your letters and photos to editorial@pipmagazine.com.au. Each published entrant will receive a limited-edition Pip Magazine print featuring archival inks on textured 300 gsm rag paper.

For the mums

My name is Anita and I am a mother of three boys. This is the first time I’ve bought your magazine and I think it’s fabulous. Robyn’s editorial was so spot on – it brought tears to my eyes and I couldn’t agree more about the rise in depression.

I would love to see an article written for all Australians, but mainly mums out there struggling with depression. I’m one of those mums who struggles with it every day, but I have never admitted it because how can a mum function if she’s mentally unstable?

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November-February

map of aussie

What to sow

NOVEMBER

Basil, beans, beetroot, cabbage, capsicum, carrot, cauliflower, chives, coriander, cucumber, English spinach, kohlrabi, leek, lemongrass, lettuce, marjoram, mint, onion, oregano, parsley, parsnip, pumpkin, radish, rosemary, silverbeet, swede, sweet corn, tarragon, thyme, tomato, turnip and zucchini.

DECEMBER

Asian greens, beetroot, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, celeriac, celery, cucumber, leek, lettuce, parsnips, potatoes, pumpkin, rocket, salad onions, silverbeet, sweet corn, tomatoes and zucchini.

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Brains Trust

bread

Questions answered by Emily Stokes of @fermaculturefarm who has been running sourdough workshops for 10 years, teaching people how to keep their sourdough starter fit and healthy.

SOURDOUGH

How long can my starter go without being fed?

If you are leaving your starter on the bench all the time then it’s best you feed it every day. If you are not baking bread every day, then feed your starter, put it in a clean jar with the lid on it and store it in the fridge.

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Pip Noticeboard

More readers, more content and we’ve been nominated for a gong! And it’s all thanks to you

In these uncertain times, we want to take a moment to spread the positive tidings of Pip’s very bright future. Between a significant spike in reader engagement, a switch up to four issues each year and a fast-growing team of passionate and talented staff, it all points to more informative, entertaining and inspiring content for you, more often.

As Australians look to become more self-reliant through sustainable living and permaculture practices, Pip has doubled both its print subscribers and online engagement. The growth in interest in what Pip does best has inspired us to do it better; we’re creating stories, features, videos and podcasts that are more accessible, more informative and even more inspiring for you to live the life you want to live. And if our readership results weren’t enough to let us know we’re on the right track, we’re delighted to announce Pip has been nominated for the Publishing Company of the Year industry award! We’re up against some big hitters and will be announced early next month. So thanks to each and every one of you for being part of the growing and vibrant Pip community. Without you and your ongoing support we wouldn’t be able to grow. And the fact we can grow in these times shows people are thinking more about the way they live their lives and the impact it has on their planet.

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PIP Picks – Things We Like

https://www.littleveggiepatch.com.au/

A useful reference for anyone interested in growing vegetables at home using organic methods. Useful to apartment dwellers and backyard roamers alike, the book covers everything you need to know to get the most food out of your space.

This amended edition of the best-selling Australian gardening book covers everything from understanding soil, creating beds, successful composting and productive worm farms through to natural pest and disease management, and saving and sowing seeds.

Written by Melburnians Fabian Capomolla and Mat Pember, this latest edition is a great start for anyone wanting to grow more food in their own backyard.

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