Samuel Ralph and Emily McMullen first became aware of permaculture design six years after moving into their suburban Hobart home. With renovations to their home finished, they turned their attentions to the garden on their 700 sqm block.
‘What we had was a weed scape and bare lawn that turned into dirt and dust in summer, and was impossible to get a spade into,’ explains Sam.
They were growing a few herbs, a lemon tree, some raspberries and greens, but they wanted to do more. Their introduction to permaculture came from an interest into reducing their waste. They watched the film ‘A Plastic Ocean’ and, as Sam puts it: ‘It was like having the blindfold ripped off’. They knew they wanted to change their habits.