Wild Olive Guest Farm - Stilbaai, Stilbay, South Africa

Permaculture Course in Kuils River

2010-07-15T12:14:00.001+02:00

Permaculture Home Gardening Course in Cape Town
Saturday 24 July & Sunday 25 July 2010

Permaculture - a contraction of permanent, agriculture and culture - is a
lifestyle ethic and design system which optimises human and natural
resources in order to create sustainable human habitats. It means that you
carefully observe nature and its systems and then apply it to human
activities – in our case to gardening – to create sustainable ecosystems.
This course will introduce you to the basics of this exciting and
increasingly relevant international trend and teach you hands-on techniques
which will enable you to become a permaculture gardener yourself!
Topics covered :
• Introduction to permaculture ethics and design principles
• Garden design using zoning & sectors
• Garden bed preparation methods - No Dig, Double Dig, and Mandala Gardening
• Using chickens for soil preparation & how to build a chicken dome
• Enhancing the health of soil and its organisms
• Making compost
• Worm farming & how to build a worm farm
• From seed to harvest
• Propagating
• Companion planting
• Natural pesticides
A full manual covering all the topics will be given to every participant,
and they will get the opportunity to build a chicken coop and a worm farm.
Main Facilitator:
The story of Hazel Mugford stretches from the city lights of Johburg to the
tranquillity of Stilbaai. The proprietor of Wild Olive Guest Farm, where
she has been running Permaculture Courses for a number of years, she has
transformed a former sheep farm into an organic olive farm with a thriving
organic vegetable garden, following Permaculture principles.
And this is no passing passion. Hazel has a Diploma in Permaculture and a
Permaculture Design Certificate. Besides decades of experience in
permaculture gardening, she is also a holder of a Permaculture "Train the
Trainer" qualification, obtained in Wales from an internationally recognised
Institute.

Co-facilitator:
Emilia Le Roux's journey was, in some ways, the opposite of Hazel's. She
grew up on a farm near De Rust, where her father tended a huge garden on
largely organic principles. But she has been living in various locations in
Cape Town for more than a decade now, making organic vegetable gardens as
far as she goes.
She has recently published a book, A Farm in my Heart, about sustainable
living in the city, and then discovered and embraced the principles of
permaculture. In the process, she has already discovered that many of the
principles embodied in permaculture affirms what she has felt intuitively or
have already incorporated in her gardening from other sources. She is
currently planning a new garden in Durbanville, employing permaculture
principles.

Emilia in the garden
Venue:
Langverwagt Farm, Kuils River: This working wine farm dates from the 1700's
and is currently in the process of obtaining its organic certification.
Wholly owned and run by the Le Roux family, its exquisite location and
ambience makes it a very popular wedding venue. It is also popular because
of the award winning garden on the farm, which was designed and established
by Janette le Roux, Emilia's aunt. Janette also farms with chickens and has
a working vegetable garden, making the farm the ideal location for this
course.
Directions to Langverwagt, which is the neighbouring farm to the well known
Zevenwacht Wine Estate, can be obtained on their website at
www.langverwagt.co.za (click on the link 'Contact Us') or by phoning 021 903
1203 during office hours.

Cost:
R 1200 per person, which includes the two day course, refreshments, a
wholesome lunch on each day, and course materials.

Enquiries
If you have any questions call:
Hazel at 028 7542719 at enquiries@wildolivefarm.co.za; or
Emilia at 021 979 3953 or emiliasmuts@mweb.co.za.
You can also visit Hazel's website at www.wildolivefarm.co.za.

The course will also be presented on 28-29 August and 18-19 September 2010.

New info Farm Kitchen - Wild Olive Farm

2010-04-20T10:43:00.001+02:00

The Farm Kitchen started in 2003. We are open on Sundays to the publics. But we are open 7 days a week to accommodation guest that is staying with us.

Permaculture supports Toad Hall

2010-04-18T11:07:00.000+02:00

Now we know that to get the garden rehabilitated we would need to encourage
insect life,amphibians,etc into the garden. First we built a herb spiral and
sunk a pond into this. Within weeks it was teaming with life, be it toads
,frogs and other natures buddies.

During a permaculture introduction course we were amazed to look into a
butter lettuce and find not just a resident toad comfy in a leaf but also a
slug eating snake. I realised then I had reached optimum balance.

A couple of years later and I am again amazed at the animals I share the
farm with. No let me rephrase that I am amazed at the amount of animals and
creepy crawlies that let me share the farm with them. Toads are not only
amazing at catching chonglulus but they also enjoy keeping the slug and
cricket population down to a bearable limit. By working and living side by
side with toads I have been able to see just how good they are in the
garden. They are also intelligent, Philbert my resident toad will knock to
be let out the house. Once outside he will sit under the light and have an
absolute feast. With his appetite appeased he will again knock at the door
and hop back into the bathroom where he ahs a bowl of water (His own
personal swimming pool). Yes I cant house train him and his friends but the
joy I get watching them far out weighs potty training them. They also
encourage the Cape Cobras to come visit but that of course is another story.

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Joseph the Donkey has a sense of humour

2010-03-25T13:51:00.001+02:00

I was reading a book on animal husbandry this morning and came across the
following "remember donkeys are intelligent, resentful of the unexpected and
have a peculiar sense of humour that you may not appreciate –such as
avoiding a patch of mud themselves making sure you have to slosh through it"
. Over the years Joseph has been a source of great amusement and
frustration. We had some German visitors recently who spent their mornings,
I thought watching the river but no they seemed to find the activities on
the farm much more to their liking. I went to check on the young cattle I
was baby sitting for the dairy farmer and to my horror found only one
lonesome calf. My eyesight is questionable but not that bad so where were
the other 10 calves. Apart from the lonesome calf Joseph the donkey was
chewing the cud peacefully, although I did see a slight glint in his eye so
I hid behind a tree and watched. After checking I was nowhere around Joseph
with great gusto charged at the calf and herded her not only over my
neighbours fence but also the next farm. Following the flipping furry
Shepard I found the rest of the calves two farms down the river and one very
amused donkey. The Germans had watched this and thought this was normal and
very amusing.

Well the calves have gone back to the dairy up the river and Joseph now has
his eye on Lunch and Supper the two sheep on the farm, He like nothing
better than to chase them until they collapse in an exhausted heap. Of
course he makes sure none of us are watching and if we are he farts, kicks
his back legs and is off like a shot .Brat!!!!!!!!!
What Joseph likes most is the children that come and stay on the farm. He is
so in tune with them that between him and the children they can convince the
parents to part with 90% of their food especially baby Woolworth carrots and
juicy organic eighteen Rand a kilo apples. Woolworth strawberries send
Joseph and Oskar the horse (and side kick) into vocal harmony and its almost
guaranteed these two will be at the chalets bright and early heehawing and
waking up the family begging for breakfast. Most days I pretend they don't
belong to me.
Next week Daisy our pregnant cow comes home after a sabbatical up the river.
She brings with her abundant milk and the manure which we are always so
desperate for. Unfortunately with the severe drought we have had to plan a
crop rotation feeding scheme to ensure she gets enough food. The one field
in front of Apple tree has been ploughed and after the fence and donkey have
been moved further down the farm, we will be able to plant Lucerne. Children
will be able to help milk Daisy and get to drink "real Milk".

Marcotting

2010-03-21T10:58:00.000+02:00

BRANCH MARCOTTING TECHNOLOGY

Marcotting is a traditional method of propagating plants. The stem or branch
is
induced to root while still attached to the plant, so that after removing
the rooted branch, the other portions of the branch can still be used for
other purposes. Marcotting is easy and success is high. The additional
labour and materials needed are compensated by the high rate of survival.

Materials used in marcotting
• Peat
• Worm Castings
• Sharp Knife
• Cellophane Bag
• Twine
• Willow rooting hormone

Steps in Marcotting
1. Select branches that are young with good branching habit.
2. Fill a transparent film (plastic or cellophane) with rooting medium, Worm
castings and Peat at the basal portion of the branch. Wrap tightly the
plastic film around the branch and tie with twine at the lower and upper
portions to avoid spillage of the rooting medium and water.
Separation of marcots
Separate the rooted marcots from the branch two months after
marcotting using a sharp scissors. Be careful not to disturb the new roots
or dismantle
the ball.
Care of marcots in the nursery
1. Immediately plant the rooted Branches individually in a 7 in. x 7 in. x
11 in.
Polyethylene bags containing soil medium.

Wild Olive Guest Farm near Stilbaai

2010-03-18T17:46:00.001+02:00

Wild Olive Guest Farm near Stilbaai

Posted to: Reviews and Visitors' Perspectives, The Garden Route

Wild Olive Farm

We're no strangers to Wild Olive Guest Farm. We're one of many who return to this peaceful refuge where a couple of chalets and a cottage lie on the banks of the Goukou River estuary and a wild organic vegetable garden, set in amidst a series of olive groves, is the mainstay of a bustling breakfast and lunch time venue that attracts a constant stream of visitors from Stilbaai

The main reason people head out here, other than the food, which alone is reason to visit, is Hazel. Hazel is a personality of note. She beams, bustles and constantly expounds about her passion for permaculture. It's rather like being on the set of a Jamie Oliver shoot I would imagine. Like most women, Hazel manages to do two things at once cooking up a storm whilst holding court. Her voice booms from her rustic, farm-style, organic kitchen as she entertains her guests to the latest in her numerous ventures that include writing a book whilst visibly preparing food just behind the counter.

The light-headedness you'll experience after a couple of sips of home-made ginger beer is not due so much to an 'awakening' although after chatting to Hazel you will definitely come alive to the benefits of attending one of her permaculture/organic vegetable growing courses so much as the effects of the mildly fermented drink that has more than a respectable kick to it.

http://blog.sa-venues.com/provinces/garden-route/wild-olive-guest-farm-near-stilbaai/

baysider.com

2010-03-18T10:49:00.000+02:00

http://www.baysider.com/businesses/1/sports-leisure/666/western-cape/5302/stilbaai/477/windsurfing

Wild Olive Guest Farm

Wild Olive Guest Farm located 11 kms from the village of Stilbaai offers self catering chalets, one Apple Tree Cottage and the Wild Olive Cottages, sleeping between 4 - 8 guests. It is perfect for the kids with plenty of farm animals to play with and activities to enjoy while staying on the farm including bird watching, canoeing, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, swimming and water skiing.

travelsavvymom.com

2010-03-18T10:42:00.001+02:00

http://www.travelsavvymom.com/africa/south-africa/wild-olive-guest-farm-still-bay-south-africa/

Good to know
Wild Olive offers training in the techniques of permaculture farming and after a tour through Hazel's garden, you'll be inspired to start your own. The farm is a bit off the beaten track so bring food and drink but also stop to sample delicious meals from the farm kitchen and fresh veggies from the garden. The farm is busy throughout December holidays.

South Africa tourism destinations

2010-03-18T10:39:00.001+02:00

http://www.kwathabeng.co.za/travel/south-africa/destinations.html?lh=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kwathabeng.co.za%2Fgo%2Fwildoliveguestfarm.html

urbansprout.co.za

2010-03-18T10:37:00.001+02:00

http://www.urbansprout.co.za/wild_olive_guest_farm

Permaculture Training - Wild Olive Guest Farm - Stilbaai

2010-03-18T10:35:00.000+02:00

http://capetown.gumtree.co.za/c-Community-community-classes-adult-education-Permaculture-Training-Wild-Olive-Guest-Farm-Stilbaai-W0QQAdIdZ192363368

Permaculture - E-book - STRUCTURE OF THE COMPOST HEAP

2010-03-18T08:46:00.001+02:00

Permaculture - E-book - STRUCTURE OF THE COMPOST HEAP - selection from my book.

STRUCTURE OF THE COMPOST HEAP

The type of structure used for composting can vary greatly, depending on the materials available, the needs of the composter and the climate. A structure isn't essential - many composting methods employ freestanding piles or heaps. As long as the volume of materials is at least 3 cubic metres, the container is relatively unimportant. Compost bins are made of wood, plastic, concrete, bricks or just about any durable, weatherproof material. Whether permanent or portable, bins can protect compost from the weather, conserve heat during composting, and keep out scavenging animals. They are also more aesthetically pleasing. Composting structures made of wire fencing or wood and wire frames are sometimes called pens. Pens may be somewhat more portable than bins, but the terms are often interchangeable.

Permaculture - Wild Olive Guest Farm:

Permaculture is both a lifestyle ethic as well as a design system which utilizes a systems thinking approach to create sustainable human habitats by analyzing and duplicating nature's patterns (ecology).

The word 'permaculture', coined by Australians Bill Mollison and David Holmgren during the 1970s, is a Portmanteau-style contraction of permanent agriculture as well as permanent culture.

Permaculture is also about careful and contemplative observation of nature and natural systems, and of recognizing universal patterns and principles, then learning to apply these 'ecological truisms' to one's own circumstances in all realms of human activity. Please call me on Tel: +27+28-7542719 or e-mail me to order my permaculture course book enquires@wildolivefarm.co.za.

Permaculture - E-book - THE ROLE OF ORGANIC MATTER IN SOIL LIFE

2010-03-18T08:44:00.001+02:00

Permaculture - E-book - THE ROLE OF ORGANIC MATTER IN SOIL LIFE - section from my book.

THE ROLE OF ORGANIC MATTER IN SOIL LIFE

Because mineral elements essential to plant growth are easily leached out of the soil through water and exposure to air, they need to be converted to large, stable, insoluble molecules. Humus provides these stable molecules. Humus has little to do with directly feeding plants and more to do with soil structure. What it does do is provide a large surface area with lots of negatively charged ion exchange sites. This means that they can capture positively charged ions of ammonium (containing nitrogen) potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, and zinc. Humus therefore, acts as a large magnet for essential elements, preventing them from leaching, or escaping into the air. Bacteria can then separate off these charged particles which is easier than breaking down huge humus molecules and make them available to plants.

Permaculture - Wild Olive Guest Farm:

The word 'permaculture', coined by Australians Bill Mollison and David Holmgren during the 1970s, is a Portmanteau-style contraction of permanent agriculture as well as permanent culture.

Permaculture - E-book - PERMACULTURE DESIGN PRINCIPLES - section from my book.

2010-03-18T08:42:00.001+02:00

Permaculture - E-book - PERMACULTURE DESIGN PRINCIPLES

PERMACULTURE DESIGN PRINCIPLES

In all designs and plans, there are principles to be observed. In Permaculture these are:

Observe and interact
Catch and store energy
Obtain a yield
Apply self regulation and accept feedback
Use and value renewable resources and services
Produce no waste
Design from patterns to details
Integrate rather than segregate
Use small and slow solutions
Use and value diversity
Use edges and value the marginal
Creatively use and respond to change

Permaculture - Wild Olive Guest Farm:

The word 'permaculture', coined by Australians Bill Mollison and David Holmgren during the 1970s, is a Portmanteau-style contraction of permanent agriculture as well as permanent culture.

Permaculture - E-book - Why a Vegetable Garden?

2010-03-18T08:40:00.001+02:00

Permaculture - E-book - Why a Vegetable Garden? - section out of my book.

Why a Vegetable Garden?

Healthy forest ecosystems are self-maintaining, self-fertilizing, and self-renewing. Wouldn't it be nice to grow food in an ecosystem like that in your back yard? Well, you can! Edible forest gardening is the design of gardens that mimic the structure and function of natural forests, but grow food, fuel, fiber, fodder, fertilizers, and "pharmaceuticals." I hope learning this forest gardening will inspire and give you practical ideas, images, and examples, as well as information on the multiple uses of forest garden plants.

The garden is designed to meet several goals:

to produce food
to produce forage for beneficial insects, pollinators, chickens and song birds
to create wildlife habitat
to nurture our bodies through herbal teas and concoctions
to create beauty and sense of well being

Permaculture - Wild Olive Guest Farm:

The word 'permaculture', coined by Australians Bill Mollison and David Holmgren during the 1970s, is a Portmanteau-style contraction of permanent agriculture as well as permanent culture.

River View - Wild Olive Guest Farm

2010-03-18T08:34:00.001+02:00

Accommodation - Wild Olive Guest Farm

River View - Wild Olive Guest Farm

River View is our latest addition to the farm accommodation.

Overlooking the Gou Kou river .This cottage has 4 bedrooms and two bathrooms plus an outdoor shower.

River view sleeps 8 with comfort.

The large lounge has a huge fireplace and well fitted kitchen. There is a large double door fridge, microwave toaster and kettle.

Games and a library are available in the cottage.

Please note: We have intentionally not included televisions in the chalets as the general feeling is that they would disturb the peace and tranquility of this magnificent setting. A small clock radio is provided.

Please click here to see our accommodation photo album.

Please call us on Tel: +27+28-7542719 or e-mail us on enquires@wildolivefarm.co.za to make a accommodation booking.

About Us - Wild Olive Guest Farm

2010-03-18T08:33:00.001+02:00

About Us - Wild Olive Guest Farm

In 2002 the family farm changed direction from a sheep farm to a Guest and Olive Farm. We started off with just two chalets and in 2003 we restored Apple tree Cottage, which is one of the original cottages in the area. Our latest addition "Wild Olive Cottage" came aboard in 2004 when we realized the need to offer accommodation for large families or groups. Click here to get directions to us.

The Farm Kitchen started off in one room offering breakfasts. Before we knew it, it had expanded ,taken over another building and evolved into a 30 seater restaurant.

Being intent on only producing the freshest and the best meals we realized we would have to grow our own produce. We were introduced to permaculture by an avid gardener Leonora Bentley whose farm is nestled in the mountains outside Mossel Bay. Within a year we were not only supplying the farm and guests with truly organically grown produce ,we could also now supply to the local village.

With the help of Kate Muller our extremely hardworking "WIF" for the last year, we have learnt so much and look forward to sharing this knowledge with like minded souls. See our Blog.

If you have any questions please call us on Tel: +27+28-7542719 or e-mail us on enquires@wildolivefarm.co.za

e-book for you to download

2010-03-18T08:23:00.001+02:00

dowload link. - #10.

http://www.mediafire.com/?gox10ejojjj

12 Day Course - Permaculture Training - Wild Olive Guest Farm

2010-03-18T08:16:00.001+02:00

Permaculture Training - Wild Olive Guest Farm

12 Day Course

Topics covered in the 12 Day Course.

This 12 day Permaculture Design Course will provide course graduates with a Permaculture Design Course certificate. They will be certified as Permaculture Design Trainees. This certification allows students to practice as Permaculture Designers and to develop a body of work in order to be fully certified after two years of work in the field demonstrating proficiency and practice.

Course Topics will include:
Ethics of Sustainability.
Principles of Permaculture.
Pattern & Design. (Zoning and Sectors).
Food garden layout including seed to harvest, Bee keeping.
Nature of Eco system.
Water Harvesting and Management.
Alternative Energy.
Building Soil Fertility,
Natural Building Design, (Practical and theory).
Waste Recycling and Treatment.

The 12 day internationally recognised Permaculture Design certification is R5000.00 plus accommodation and meals.

We operate by the lunar calendar so try to run courses during the fertile days.

PERMACULTURE COURSES 2010
DATES

12 Day Permaculture design Course
October 11th ending Friday 22nd

4 Day Course - Permaculture Training - Wild Olive Guest Farm

2010-03-18T08:14:00.001+02:00

Permaculture Training - Wild Olive Guest Farm

4 Day Course

Topics covered in the 4 Day Course.

Introduction to permaculture ethics and design principles.
Garden design maximizing on what nature provides. (Zoning and sectors).
Water catchments and use.
Urban animals.
Companion planting in detail.
Creating and caring for the soil.
Bed preparations - No Dig, Double dig, Mandala Gardening.
Creating compost.
From seed to harvest.
Designing and building a food forest.
Natural pesticides.
Marking out contours on slopes and swale building.
Generating Hot water the eco way.
Salve making.
Building of worm farms and Worm Farming.

The Cost of the 4 Day is R2950.00 This includes all meals and drinks, Accommodation, training and the Manual.

We operate by the lunar calendar so try to run courses during the fertile days.

PERMACULTURE COURSES 2010
DATES

4 Day Course
April 19th,20th,21st,22nd

4 Day course
September 20th 21st 22nd 23rd

4 Day course
November 15th 16th 17th 18th

2 Day Course - Permaculture Training - Wild Olive Guest Farm

2010-03-18T08:13:00.001+02:00

Permaculture Training - Wild Olive Guest Farm

2 Day Course

Topics covered in the 2 Day Course.

Introduction to permaculture ethics and design principles.
Garden design maximizing on what nature provides. (Zoning and sectors).
Water catchments and use.
Urban animals.
Bed preparations - No Dig, Double dig, Mandala Gardening.
Companion planting in detail.
Creating and caring for the soil.
Creating compost.
Worm farming.
From seed to harvest.
Propagating.
Natural pesticides.

The cost of the 2 Day course is R1990.00. This includes accommodation, all meals and refreshments, training and the manual.

We operate by the lunar calendar so try to run courses during the fertile days.

PERMACULTURE COURSES 2010
DATES

Week end Course
March 12th 13th 14th

Weekend Course
April 9th 10th 11th

Week end Course
May 7th,8th,9th

Week end Course
July 16th 17th 18th

Weekend Course
August 6th 7th 8th

Weekend Course
September 3rd 4th 5th

Weekend Course
November 5th 6th 7th

Weekend Course
December 4th 5th 6th

My first Blog

2010-03-16T15:10:00.001+02:00

Thank goodness I have a jacked up website designer who makes my New venture
of blogging simple. Over the next couple of weeks I will be posting "days
that have past" and look forward to being able to pass on any new knowledge
that comes my way.Todays tip. Mulch your olive trees with a living
mulsh.Comfrey is an excellent example of a living mulch. By planting comfrey
at the base of your trees it will keep the soil moist, add nitrogen to the
soil and as an added bonus should the tree not be getting enough water
(blocked dripper) the comfrey will wilt. What a pleasure to glance sown the
hill to see if any comfrey is wilting rather than checking each dripper
manually. What can I say "permaculture is using nature to help make our
lives that much easier".

Have a great Day

Hazel

Permaculture Stilbaai

2010-03-16T10:48:00.001+02:00

Regards Gerald Crawford

Webcraft.ws
PO Box 12216 Die Boord 7613
Stellenbosch South Africa
Tel: +27-0720390184
Fax: +27-0865657300
After Hours: 0881242372
Website: http://www.webcraft.ws
E-mail: gerald@webcraft.ws