before dar’ali | life at dar’ali

Before Dar'ali, Mulch, Chickens, Urban gardening Katrina Lezaic Before Dar'ali, Mulch, Chickens, Urban gardening Katrina Lezaic

backyard haven

With a load of free mulch, a trio of glossy black Australorp hens, and a beautiful raised garden bed from the inspiring New Leaf Nursery, the once-sandy backyard is quickly transforming into a thriving, native-friendly haven. The chickens roam freely for now, tackling redbacks and enriching the soil, while I dream up ways to weave more native beauty into the garden’s future.

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to swale, or not to swale...?

As the weather warms earlier than expected, I’m questioning whether the swales in my front yard are the best use of energy or if I should instead focus on enriching the sandy soil, caring for the existing plants, and shifting my efforts to create a more private backyard space. 🌿☀️

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Before Dar'ali, Garden prep, Garden design Katrina Lezaic Before Dar'ali, Garden prep, Garden design Katrina Lezaic

re-designing the garden

The garden has been left to grow wild over winter, in both beautiful and challenging ways. As spring approaches, I’m planning a redesign guided by permaculture principles: installing swales to manage water flow, relocating the chicken coop, and making better use of the shady and sunny areas with native plantings. It’s time to prepare for the seasons ahead so check out the latest photos and follow along as the transformation begins. 🌱🌧️🐝

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