Growing Kiwi Fruit

We have planted  female and male Kiwi Fruit Vines and as they are growing  well we have been thinking about how we can create a space for them to grow properly. Initially we were going to put the sheet of reo up and then bend it over but realised after thinking about it for a while that it would be better to provide maximum space. So we  lifted the reo up and sat it flat on a framework of old sleepers to get it to the right height as this will give maximum growing  space and shade.


 To get it up took three of us, with Andy on the shed and beams. Here you can see the view looking down.  Since then he has chopped out a hole so that the shade sail can be pulled up and down easily. We intend to move the washing line to under the eaves of the house which will give better access to the shed,  some protection in winter and enable the Kiwi Fruit Vine to grow over and shade the path there. The pavers will eventually be removed  and replaced with mulch to ensure that the maximum amount of water reaches the water table and the heat is reduced. As well when the leaves fall we will not need to clean them up as we can allow them to drop on the mulch and feed the microbes and worms etc in the soil. This structure and planting will also provide more privacy from the house next door, always a good thing.

Grape Arbor Update

    It has now been a month since we installed a grape arbor under the grape vine in the front garden using a sheet of reo. The grape vine has grown hugely since then and the arbor and surrounding vines are loaded with bunches of grapes.

                                          We have now placed two of the bird baths under the arch as the birds use it to perch and fly into and out of the water. It is cooler and shadier under the arch and it has been such a success that we are considering extending it.

                                                 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

New Shade Sail

The more we observe what is happening around us the more we realise what we can do to improve our energy efficiency and comfort. The first steps included using plants on walls and then awnings and finally shade sails. We decided that the driveway now needs to be shaded to reduce the heat that is released and prevent the cars getting so hot!

This shade sail needed two posts and then was attached to the roof and fascia. It is over 5 metres square and although it will not give complete shade it certainly covers a large portion of it. The advantages include that is a cost effective way to create shade and that when you want the sun to get through in winter you can pull it down. It is already making a huge difference and once it gets really hot we will be even more appreciative. Each of the steps we have taken have helped and I am sure that we will keep observing and interacting with our environment to do a better job.

We live in a hot dry climate so these tips are very useful and we are now doing most of them:-

•  Shade all external openings in regions where no winter heating is required.
• Provide passive solar shading to north-facing openings in regions where winter heating is required.
• Avoid shading any portion of the glass in winter when winter heating is required — use upward raked eaves to allow full winter solar access, or increase the distance between the window head and the underside of the eaves.
• Use adjustable shade screens or deep overhangs (or a combination of both) to the east and west. 
• Deep covered balconies or verandas shade and cool incoming air and provide pleasant outdoor living spaces.
• Place a shaded courtyard next to the main living areas to act as a cool air well. Tall, narrow, generously planted courtyards are most effective when positioned so that they are shaded by the house.
• Use plantings instead of paving to reduce ground temperature and the amount of reflected heat.

Your Home:Australia's Guide to environmentally sustainable homes

Energy Efficiency - Home Shading & Natural Cooling

Shade, Shutters and Strawberry Guavas

The front of our face faces West and we have temperatures over 40 degrees regularly in summer. Previously we had planted the vine and put in a roller blind and gardens. Each of these steps have made a difference.

We continue to  gradually make more and more changes to improve our capacity to grow more food and to reduce the energy that we use.

Here you can see the 5000 litre water tank in the front garden and the roller shutters that we have now installed on the front window which faces west. This will reduce the heat transfer and provide us with security.

Whilst the heat has a detrimental effect on many of our plants the Strawberry Guava is full of fruit. It has not grown as quickly as we would like as we wanted it to be part of a hedge. However it is in a difficult spot and each year is producing more and more fruit, so we are certainly happy about that.

Reducing Heat- Increasing Shade

 

We have had some really hot weather here in Perth which has made us re-look at the way that we reduce the impact on our house. The porch on the front faces west and so heats ups and releases a lot of heat at night, so we have had a blind installed which stops 90% of the UV rays but lets light/air in.

It has made a huge difference to the heat coming into the front of the house, but still allows us to see out and watch the birds in the bird baths.

 One of the bedrooms faces east and gets the hot morning sun, plus the pavers around the pool heat up and release heat all day. So we have put another blind on that window and it has made a huge difference.

 We have replaced the pool cover, which reduces water loss and means the water stays warmer, but we have now also placed some shade sails over the pool, which also reduce the heat stored and released by the pavers.

We knew that it would make a difference, but to be honest we had not realised quite how much difference it would make and we wish we had done it earlier!

Virginia Creeper

Virginia Creeper

We put up a trellis in front of our front door and planted a Virginia Creeper last year, the aim being to shade the porch as the houses faces directly West and gets very hot. It still has a lot of growing to do, but has progressed well and the colour of the leaves as we head into winter is stunning. What I had not realized is that in the past parts of the plants were used for dye and medicinal purposes, fascinating. We we will be using it for its shade, beauty and will be composting the leaves.here you can also see some lovely Fair Trade lanterns, bought at my favourite Fair Trade Shop.