A highly productive small-scale urban garden | Urban Farming | Gardening Australia

If you want a productive garden and only have a small space, this small city garden is inspiring. Kat Lavers is a permaculture designer and educator, with a small-scale but very productive space. On a mere 96m2, the garden produces an abundance of edible crops every season. And what's a smaller alternative to chooks? 3:34 Quails of course!
Kat moved into her house ‘The Plummery’ in 2008. Apart from an old Blood Plum (Prunus cv.), the garden was a mass of weeds with contaminated soil and marauding possums. 0:41 With above acceptable levels of lead in the soil originating from peeling house paint, Kat built three raised vegetable beds.
Kat: “I am going to live here for a long time, and eat many kilos of produce from my garden, so it’s important I know what is in my soil, both in terms of contamination and nutrients.”
1:14 Kat rotates her edible crops across the 3 raised garden beds. For ease of use, they are all the same size - the trellis system she uses can be moved from one bed to another. The beds are easy to net, water, work on and harvest. “I can easily reach into the middle of the bed from either side, and even though the garden is small, I leave one metre wide paths for my wheelbarrow to get through.”
The fruit trees, including a persimmon, plum and pear are kept small and pruned regularly to promote continuous cropping throughout the year, and to make the most of the smaller site. The fruiting grapevine shades the back of house and seating area, and provides shade for the vegie beds too. “The garden is designed so the vegies get some shade and wind protection during hot summer days.”
Kat is methodical. She keeps a diary tracking her plantings and recording all produce picked. In 2016 the garden produced 350 kg of herbs, fruit and vegetables. In 2018 this was well over 400kg. “The diary is my most important tool for increasing productivity!” Kat explained. From record keeping, she now has a preferred list of what is best to plant in her small garden.
Kat favours vegies that are easy to grow such as silverbeet, and give back more than she puts in. Perennial vegetables are high on the list - perennial leeks, chokos and wild rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia) - as they keep on giving. It should be noted that Diplotaxis tenuifolia can be invasive in many parts of Australia, and local invasive species listings should be checked prior to planting this variety.
3:34 Quails
A small-scale garden doesn’t mean you can’t have poultry to lay eggs and provide fertiliser. You just need to think small - quails! “Quails a fantastic alternative in urban areas where soil contamination, space and noise constraints may limit a flock of chickens” says Kat.
Kat’s Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) are kept in a semi indoor coop on a concrete base with “deep litter”. You can use wood shavings, wood chips, autumn leaves, shredded paper and cardboard, which is eventually used as compost.
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[@dirkie9308]

The video failed to mention that in 2018 she harvested a whopping 428kg of fresh produce off that little plot... An absolute inspiration.

[@GardeningAustralia]

Incredible!

[@lostliving5919]

I wish I could see the blueprints for what she's planting where cuz that is an amazing amount of food

[@Luckyprogamer44]

@@GardeningAustralia aynen

[@VisuMotion]

Starting a day with watching something like this is very soothing to the soul

[@dwardoliver]

True

[@nashflowerfarm3112]

Absolutely, the garden is where the heart is!

[@michaelsalerno730]

Give me something from the gospel to put me to sleep

[@syamsyamansyur6280]

This is what I do now.

[@rizkanhumanity2802]

Same sweetie

[@ekichandra]

You guys covid 19 show us how money is useless during pandemic, we need this permaculture to keep us alive

[@lucytric6294]

whoever edited this video did a great job! love the quails and that plum tree look divine. i live in the same city so hopefully could also successfully grow one

[@BUHAYMOTHER]

I keep going back to this video. I Never get bored with it. Such an amazing way to utilise small garden space

[@BeMyVforever]

YAYYY I moved to the US so gardening Australia was a show I knew I'd miss. Thanks for uploading on youtube. I admire this girl's creation. It's truly like another little garden world

[@johnthomas2970]

If you get a VPN you can watch it on iview

[@omfug7148]

@@johnthomas2970 actually you do not need a VPN, the ABC allows International viewers to download or watch segments on the GA website without a VPN.

[@Chickmamapalletfarm]

The key, I think, is to create nearly zero waste, and to think of every scrap of material as a resource rather than a burden. Used Coffee grounds make fantastic fertilizer, all food scraps can turn into a worm farm, or food for a farm animal, and every thing in the garden can be chopped and dropped. I love that she has quail rather than chickens. For her space they are perfect, and have me thinking about possibly using the quail in my own space. They are just as interesting and have such beautiful eggs.

[@emuahemuah]

Permaculture is a great tool to mitigate climate change and feed the planet in a sustainable manner. No pesticides, no chemical fertilizers, no weedkillers, no fossil fuel, imagine millions of green oasis like this around the world. Nutritious food and beautiful landscapes based on Knowledge, Sun and Manpower. It is time to put back 'culture' in 'agriculture'. If she can do it, you can do it! Please spread the news around you, the more people, the merrier!

[@ecocentrichomestead6783]

The "Manpower" part is the problem. Ever since the industrial revolution started, "Manpower" was seen as only useful if it gained someone a lot of money. Before a person is willing to invest the manpower, s/he must consider the oasis more valuable than money.

[@theHDallaroundgamer]

@@ecocentrichomestead6783 the industrial revolution and its consequences have been a disaster for the human race

[@ecocentrichomestead6783]

@@theHDallaroundgamer I totally agree. What good it gave us, we could have gotten without the industrial part.

[@MBEspinosa]

I am working in a small area of 2 square meters in my garden. It is entertainment. I will not be able to grow a great variety of vegetables and I like to eat a variety. So how would we do the exchange with those beautiful plums? I loved them...but now I only have a small square of land that I am working on... (weekend projects!).

[@ecocentrichomestead6783]

@@MBEspinosa You could grow one Espalier tree at the edge, I guess. A small space means you have to prioritize which crops you want and do the top of the list till the area is full.

[@jimcaruso4684]

What a fantastic use of space!

[@shluffywho6119]

The quails are soooo cute! ❤️

[@user-pg7ug4wi5z]

Thank you and thank Kat! A suggestion - let Kat post more of her videos. Watching them with great interest and learning.

[@HowToGardenChannel]

I love how full that garden is. Nice job

[@GoGreenYes]

wow, the garden looks green, cool and fresh.. Amazing..

[@Wooplot]

I love how everything is carefully considered.

[@tamarawalker4253]

I cannot love this video more if I tried! I’ve always wanted chickens but think now I might go for quails.

[@nanacybersliver8411]

At least the wouldn't wake the neighbours! 😴😂😳🙏😫

[@claraalebrook5335]

You and me both.. Quails are cute

[@dangthatscool1]

Love that gymnopedie remix in the background.

[@aaproductions4441]

Glad several other kings n queens recognised that

[@gardenonmymind524]

Love this woman and her simplicity

[@twilde3754]

So, so wonderful...the quails: how fabulous!

[@Astrologist]

Yes! This is exactly what I've been looking for! In Perth 280M2 is the average for new blocks of land so it's fantastic to see something that is applicable and achievable. Great work!

[@karensimplyadventurous7305]

This is my dream garden!

[@geometry_dayday5224]

lm nicoedec from phillipines,i like urban gardening,but my space is very small,,but now iwatch your video in youtube,i have a idea now thank you and l hopeyou give me another tips about urban gardening,,god bless

[@brightbruce3957]

animals aren't products but that garden is dreamy wow

[@thinkbetter7775]

Her garden as beautiful as she is pretty..😍

[@Andrew68Taylor]

Thanks for a great series. I'm making a start on our small garden in the UK.

[@absoloneresponder9669]

Shout out this video

[@newgardenroad]

I love this video! Thanks a bunch and now I'm keen on raising quail, so adorable!!

[@SolidGoldShows]

I think I am going to raise a few quail for my homestead

[@user-ue2rg9sn8c]

Beautiful! That plum tree is fabulous!

[@christianrobillos6600]

This is the best video i got to see on youtube when it comes to urban gardening. Great job!

[@backyardediblegarden]

Wow, what a beautiful urban garden!!! ❤️

[@user-dq2ym1nn9k]

Ignoring the madness of the christmas build up by watching videos like this. Thankyou

[@DM-fv9wf]

A very intelligent lady 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@foxdylan9536]

It’s brilliant, well done 👍

[@sunitashastry253]

Totally amazing use of space.

[@Viva_la_natura]

Beautiful design maximizing space. The contrasts in urban agriculture makes everything so much more interesting

[@bonniehoke-scedrov4906]

This is my first time enjoying your KZbin channel. Great work! I’m looking forward to more great content from you. Thank you so much for this informative video! I got so much out of it.

[@cupbearercafe4131]

Love the plum 😍

[@starwarsxexocollab1393]

*Bountiful Garden* 🌱💕

[@Hola.soy.Kamile]

Serch for plants that decontaminate soil from lead like brown mustard.

[@udaymahurlkar3223]

Fruits plants are the memorable things and events that you memorize

[@greatprovider8198]

Great job, you guys are an inspiration.

[@karensimplyadventurous7305]

Its nice to harvest veges which u have planted and grown

[@noneone.............]

Awesome garden as well as its owner !

[@creativesdiaryzenliving6473]

Lovely!!! Great ideas for everyone to grow organic plants

[@JeeJeanVittoVlogs]

Wow! Beautiful garden. Very informative channel. Thank you for sharing.

[@pastelpinkhoney]

Love her garden! Definitely makes me want to have more raised garden beds and less grass!

[@newleafcoaching5622]

Wow that is amazing! It must be a challenge in such a small space Keep up the good work Cheers from America!!!

[@annaliza4810]

This is one of my favorite episode/ video, i wish i could do it soon❤😊.

[@azr6288]

beautiful inspiring . my indoor plants are thriving still a beginner but this video is an inspiration

[@albertovelazquezramirez5109]

Such a beautiful place , and productive ,what a proud you'd be !! Cheers from México.

[@PaulBengtsson]

It is a beautiful little garden

[@mondraymondo]

My fav part is the quail ♡ so cute

[@yunjunestory7353]

I love the blood plums!

[@Krootjes]

Ah what a great garden. Siriously love the bird idea!

[@tjinnes]

Great video, thanks for posting this.

[@amazingfijian5128]

Growing your own food is the best ❤

[@veradejong9437]

Inspiring garden and the way of living.

[@lexnite22]

Those quails are so cute!

[@Bellasand45]

So beautiful!! Those plums looks so delicious. Congratulations!!

[@a_fellow_human]

I know! They had my mouth watering haha.

[@Pathologymadesimple]

Quails are so cute

[@jbahadur6446]

So beautiful

[@bjcdownunder]

Great bed rotation idea, I'm going to copy it for my garden.

[@barwak3917]

100m2 to jest niesamowite jak można stworzyć tak piękną przestrzeń.To szaleństwo! Wielkie gratulacje!!!!!!!

[@followchristwithme37]

I do love this video. I watch it a lot for inspiration.

[@mytinykitchen8862]

Beautiful garden!

[@divinagracialozadadaguiso4803]

Love it!

[@Lucel18]

I love the egg, thank you nice 👍

[@ralsharp6013]

Wow, such great produce from a 12 x 8 patch 🎶💧🌱🙌

[@artivedi3887]

Wish I had a guru come friend like her she wud help me so my terrace..

[@cactuscorner9697]

good idea and good inspiration.

[@noneone.............]

What's a beautiful garden ! I really like this garden as well as It's owner, she combines plants with chicks

[@brandonlamontcooper8141]

I love the small bird incorporation..

[@melaniecariaga4293]

It's time to plant seeds, learn to grow food, and be more self-reliant. A storm is on the horizon. Join us at Food Forest Abundance where we will be sharing tips on how to be self-reliant.

[@KASAKAMOKO]

I love this kind of farming thank you mam

[@diamondaxe4133]

So amazing!!

[@knightshade6232]

my favorite snack in a road trip that are sold so cheap on the streets , are quail eggs,, its more healthy too.,,,

[@islandentertainment8617]

I love gardening

[@rrafaelpaz]

Gorgeous garden!

[@bruceofwayne4822]

This looks amazing

[@jeff6899]

I've seen her now featured a few times, I believe...and each production, like yours, is entertaining & enlightening :) Thank You :)

[@P.wwrta....]

Those animals are really cool.

[@aries-rev7933]

Beautiful

[@shardulstv2023]

wow! i love the color

[@MyPlantWorld]

wow awesome idea

[@FoxyCAMTV]

I was thinking of keeping chicken or quail on my rooftop ,this is a great idea.

[@Iloveorganicgardening]

very nice. I wish it was summer time here!

[@svetlanikolova7673]

I cant wait to get quile ,chickens ducks and rabbits. I have goats but I will sell all but one and wait until my goat cage is easier to clean . Greetings from Bulgaria. You do have my dream garden.

[@KaLNFoRc3R]

The quails are so cute

[@heidimuro]

Great Video!

[@KaushikiAnartistfromsoul]

Loved watching the video!! Wishing you huge success with your channel and future endeavour!!

[@michaspringphul]

2:42 yes I like that too. In Berlin it grows as weed everywhere and so I stumbled over it and have it on my balkony garden. You are fortunate, that you can grow all year around. Over here in western / northern Europe, that`s not the case. Such a small garden wouldn`t be sufficient here at all and we would need a some sort of storage for winter and early spring too.

[@keysreanthvea3760]

Thanks for sharing, I have to do this during COVID-19 and will practice ever

[@Zoza15]

Damn!, Screw supermarkets!.

[@diyurbanfarm2442]

This is something to aspire for

[@chakrigarikapati2036]

Impressive 👍

[@PeterPanQuails]

Food cost a lot more these days. It is all the more reason to grow veggies in the garden. And quails also take up much less space than chickens and can fit in many suburban blocks. They are egg laying machines.

[@azamshakoor3098]

Great channel with great content for gardening n growing veggies,, 👌👍🇮🇳

[@shivnaik3731]

It got me thinking on the birds

[@maureenpeterson2070]

Fabulous

[@susinursali2049]

Kebun yang cantik dan subur ,suara burung yang merdu dan pemilik kebunya yang cantik serasa di surga ....mata dan pikiran jadi sehat. 👍👍💜💜💜