This month 250 coconut seedlings were delivered by Copra Millers of Fiji as part of a government initiative to plant 30,000 coconut trees this year. This initiative is designed to repair damages to the coconut industry caused by Tropical Cyclone Winston. We had applied for 500 trees but the demand for trees was greater than expected. Now we’re glad that we received only 250 because the clearing and planting is a big job. Once our 250 are planted they will cover approximately 5 acres.
As we’ve been developing our farm, we’ve been trying to focus on ways to make the farm more sustainable and less labour intensive. You can imagine how fast plants grow here in the tropics, especially during the rainy season. Our main weeding tool is the machete, so very labour intensive. We could use herbicides but we are trying to stay organic. One of the concepts I’ve been looking at is agroforestry or food forests. The idea is to transition from a wild growing rainforest to a forests of fruit or nut bearing trees. So we are using this coconut planting project to start redesigning the forest around us.
The first step is mark a contour line along the hillside using an ‘A’ frame level. We’re then going to clear an alley way along that contour line, piling all the organic debris on the contour to help prevent erosion. We’ll plant coconut trees at about 9-10 metres apart and then plant a variety of fruit trees and banana trees in between the coconut trees as a start. There’s more to this style of planting which I’ll share in future posts.
Charlie and Thomas weeding an alley through the rainforest 
Arthur using an A frame level to mark a contour line 
We are level! 
A contour line is marked
Aside from coconut planting, Esther and Sainimili started back to school in January. Sainimili is in class 3 this year and Esther is very excited to be starting kindergarden.
As well we were very excited to have our niece and nephew Jennifer and Leon Farrel from North Delta, BC include a short visit to our farm during their vacation to Fiji. We’re hoping to see them back at the farm for a longer stay in the future.
February 3, 2019
Thanks for the update on your farm excellent work and hard work!!! Wow that’s fabulous. It’s -40 outside brrr.
February 3, 2019
So nice to follow your progress! Take care
Anne-Marie
February 3, 2019
Great to hear how your farm is expanding Karen. I don’t think you will ever cease to impress me with the challenges you are willing to take on. I am still keeping busy with a multitude of projects at work including one starting in Victoria- finally!
Elise is now in grade 4, going on 13. She is quite an independent young girl, figuring out who she is. But we are trying to prepare her for life and recently put her into circus training classes so at least if we fallout in the teen years she will be prepped with somewhere to run away to😉.
Hope you enjoy the time with you son, nephew and niece. And great to hear from you again – would love to talk if technology permits on your side. Drop me contact info if you’d like. Sending love, Kim
February 3, 2019
A beautiful location. Yes, 250 coconut trees seems more manageable. You continue to grow your land with sustainability. A whole new topic to become a master gardener in the tropics. You are all looking very healthy and happy.
February 3, 2019
I can hardly wait to see how quickly those trees grow and start producing. As usual, great pics. Good to see everyone looking so well.
February 3, 2019
Awesome update. Query, how many years before the coconut trees produce produce (double word intended!)? Did Thomas begin his house? We are well and I successfully turned 6 this week. Mary came over for 3 days. She is absolutely loving retirement. We had a good old chin wag. Her Mom continues to decline, but is just slowly fading away. Everyone else is well. I continue to Fairy Grandmother on the regular and volunteer in Paige’s class. Wedding planning continues. Good luck. With all your planting.
Sue.
February 3, 2019
Good to hear from you Sue and congrats on turning 6 (or 60). The coconuts will start producing in about 3 years. They’re pretty fast growers. Thomas is going to hold back on building a house as yet. He has a house site picked out but has not settled on exactly what he wants to build. Hopefully we’ll get a chance to chat soon.
February 4, 2019
Hi Karen
You certainly continue to amaze me with all your various and new productivity. Five acres of 250 coconut trees sounds like alot of work and will be continual if you are planning to plant fruit and nut trees as well. A good idea though. Good to see your photos – you are all looking very happy.
Don’t suppose you miss the 35-40 C below though! We have had two bouts of the cold weather recently. It is suppose to start warming up again tomorrow. Perhaps we will make the Pinetree meeting after all.
Dorothy