Our Grapes and Bananas Today

The bananas are continuing to grow, although the papaya and mango have found the heat difficult so today we have moved some large potted plants next to the to try and create a canopy until they are used to their location.

The grape vines have all begun to shoot and the vine at the front and on the southern fence have a great many bunches of grapes forming. The shade sales have been put back up and are making a huge difference and the grape vine that we moved last year has put on its leaves and new growth on the pool fence facing east, which can be seen here. We are also inundated with  volunteer nasturtiums which we mainly use as a bee attractant, companion plant and mulch.

The vine that is in the front garden can be seen here and is growing back over the wire we put up. It has many small bunches on it which is exciting as we did not get much from it last year. We are going to need a frame of some sort to put under it and support it as it grew very heavy and low last year. It provides not only grapes and shade but valuable mulch when the leaves drop.

Shiraz Grapes Success

This is the pool area at the back of our house it faces East and so gets the morning sun. Over the years we have kept making improvements such as a vine on the back wall and the shade sails to cool the area. We have also been gradually lifting the pavers around the pool and placing gardens in instead, which also reduces the heat and of course produces food.  On the side fence we are growing a shiraz grape and it has been incredibly successful. We have just started harvesting and there are dozens of bunches growing on it. We also have a dwarf plum and plumcot on the fence as well as comfrey and lemongrass. We now have many lemongrass plants and have given some away, all from one plant that we were given about five years ago.

On the outside of the pool we have retained the old fence to use as a trellis and there is a pear tree, lime, bay and grape vine growing along it as well as comfrey. We have added a framework made from wood and wire to the top of the fence so that the grape vines can be grown along it. Our back garden is quite small so maximizing vertical spaces is important.

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

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!