What is the collective noun for permablitzes?  A plethora, a shindig, a spree, a litter?  We better invent one fast, for there has been an embarrasment of interstate and international permablitzes since we last spoke:  Bega, Darwin, ACT, Texas, and Montréal!  And upcoming blitzes have been announced for Castlemaine and here in Melbourne.  And in this latest Permablitz Melbourne newsletter installment, we've also got some of the permablitz crew going head to head with Don Burke on national TV, splicing life forms together organic style, 'depaving days', and much much more, so read on...

On Sunday, July 19, I thought I’d go along to the Gold Coast’s first Permablitz. In this case it was a mini-blitz – just working on a small piece of a residential section – a good idea for Permablitz newbies. But, despite it being a debut for the Coast, we had a good turnout with around 20 people showing up to help out.

Before…

…a few hours later

Read the article by Craig Mackintosh at the Permaculture Research Institute website…

Sunday, 26 July, 10:00am-4:00pm

Help Riccardo and Sharyn create a food forest in their front yard!

Lots to do and learn: Plant fruit trees, veggies, herbs, blue berries and bushfoods, learn about espaliering fruit trees, composting, soil blocking, seed planting and more.

Time: 10am-4pm

Address: 79 Werrago Circuit Kaleen. Catch Action Bus 932. Riccardo and Sharyn live near the intersection of Maribyrnong and Ellenborough streets.

Bring: Gloves, gardening equipment, some food to share, something to drink for the party, and warm clothes.

Location : 79 Werrago Circuit Kaleen.

Welcome to the new look Permablitz Melbourne website.  It's not just a new look, it's got a bit of new content too.  We've got an extended list of regional permablitz groups, we've rejigged the page describing permablitzes and how to get involved, and have begun a list of professional permaculture designers from within the blitz network.

There have been almost 70 permablitzes in and around Melbourne, and many of us have been performing permaculture designs professionally too in parallel.   So what are some of the common good ideas and recurring patterns that are coming to inform home-scale permaculture design in this city?  Dan Palmer of Very Edible Gardens and co-originator of the permablitz network, wrote this article for the Permaculture Research Institute of Australia last week on just that pertinent topic...