Davidson Plum Davidsonia pruriens var. jerseyana 

A bombshell of colour and intense clean, tart flavour, Davidson Plum has become one of my favourite bushfood fruits in the kitchen. 

This tall (3-4m) slender rainforest plant will grow and bear in the tiniest garden space. It prefers a semi-shady location and does well under the canopy of taller trees. The  plum-shaped fruit grows in clusters along the stem, ripening in early summer, usually December to early January.

A few important facts not readily found in information from Monsanto-funded and lobbied government agencies and conservation programs, and subsequently not common knowledge amongst bush regenerators, farmers and gardeners. Sale of Roundup and glyphosate herbicides for controlling “invasive alien non-native species” is a multi-million dollar business, but what are the hidden costs and implications of this popular biocide?

We take a look at some research revelations about Roundup and its constituents, Glyphosate and sufactants, and their impacts on soil, non-target plants, animals, humans and aquatic organisms.

This anthology is an inspiring addition to permaculture publications, and of interest to anyone concerned with social and evirnmental change. Launched late 2011, it tells the very personal stories of 25 Australian permaculturists, male and female, old and young, who are inspired by permaculture to work for a more sustainable world. The list of contributors include David Holgren, Max Lindeger, Rosemary Morrow, Robyn Francis, Anne-marie and Graham Brookman, Josh Burne and many more.

These stories tell how ordinary people have found the courage to enbrace the worlds problems and move beyond fear to make a difference and empower others with solutions and practical actions as inspired agents of change.

This new publication from Gaia Education features over 40 authors, including Robyn Francis, Maddy Harland, Patrick Whitefield, Albert Bates, Declan Kennedy and other key figures of the permaculture and ecovillage movements.  Edited by Chris Mare and Max Lindegger, the book is a great anthology, placed at the cutting edge of holistic, ecological design. PDF available now for free download.

“Designing Ecological Habitats – Creating a Sense of Place is an important and eloquent exploration of humanity’s limits to growth and addresses the problems arising from climate change, habitat destruction, population growth and resource depletion. This is not a book of theoretical ideas but an anthology of solutions, of experience, tried and tested, from experts all over the world. The designs and practices included in this book present a vision for the future, already tested out in ecovillages, sustainable communities and projects in many countries. These are practical low carbon solutions which provide significant improvements in the quality of life.