Get them while their hot. Nirvana's HOT ROASTED CHESTNUTS available in Stirling main street on weekends from 11am til sold out. FRESH CHESTNUTS available direct from our farm shop. Opened daily from 11am til 4pm ..read more

Fresh chestnuts are now available .A drive through system is in place for your convenience. 10am -4pm daily 184 Longwood Rd Heathfield 0477 972 866 ..read more

Deb Cantrill and members of the Adelaide Hills Biodynamic Group.AIM– To investigate if it is possible to make a smaller version of barrel compost (also known as cow pat pit) so home gardeners can easily make their own. Investigate the possibilities of using other manures to bring in a range of animal influences into the home garden.METHODLiterature search on methods used worldwide.Set up 3 different sized composts in 3 different sized bottomless containers. Unglazed terracotta pots where chosen because they could easily fit into a home garden and are also durable. The bottom is simply removed ..read more

Barrel compost activates the soil and soil organisms, encouraging better soil structure and quicker breakdown of inorganic and organic substances. It is used to spread the ‘compost’ influences especially when converting farms.  BackgroundThe development Barrel compost grew out of concern with pollution of Strontium 90 s from atmospheric atomic bomb tests in 1958. Maria Thun and Dr Ehrenfried Pfeiffer collaborated trialing various substances then cultivating plants. An unambiguous result was obtained by growing plants with eggshells and ground basalt; the plants did not incorporate or store ..read more

The first thing you notice about my home vegetable garden is that it is well fenced to keep poultry and dogs out. The large banana passionfruit vine is a good deterrent as they can’t see through and see what they are missing. As you enter there is always a vast array of vegies, some growing, some ready for the table and some going to seed to ensure future crops. Established in 1983 the annual  garden is 10 x 18 m and includes a tool shed (in need of new door!) propagation area, cold frames and its own compost area. THIS VEGETABLE GARDEN IS DESIGNED TO PRODUCE A STEADY SUPP ..read more

A very succesful share occured at Nirvana Farm last Saturday.The initiative came as a way of Nirvana Organic Farm celebrating 30 years of growing bio-dynamically and living a lifestyle in tune with nature and sharing  knowledge to the wider south Australian community. What a hoot! 19 mostly very local households contributed and shared their excess produce in an amazing gesture of generosity. The range of produce was impressive from the initial response of...” oh, I’ve only got lemons “, to what overwhelmed the table capacity and the need to fetch another. Some of the produce included avoc ..read more

Red currants glisten in the sun as they reach full ripeness at this time of the year. Red currants and in fact white currants although considered sour by some add a tart richness to a green salads,  fresh vegetables or a fruit salad.I like adding them to salads for their rich colour .their glistening red adds colour early December when the tomatoes have only just set their fruit.I especially enjoy them just off the bush and think the white ones taste the best. As they ripen during the festive season their colours make great decorations  for the Christmas table.They can also be used to top ..read more

An opportunity for our Heathfield community to come together to share surplus home grown or homemade produce. 3rd Saturday of the month from 3pm – 4pm at  Nirvana Organic Farm’s classroom 184 Longwood Rd  Heathfield. Dates and times may change according to seasonal conditions and community needs. First swap OCTOBER 20th 2012 COME ALONG AND SWAP Fresh home grown fruit and vegetables Herbs Home Baked goods Homemade jams and preserves Plants, seeds, seedlings and cuttings Or just come along for a chat and a cuppa     Run by local residents ..read more

I am often asked ‘what grows in the hills’ Growing conditions and seasons can be very localised. Heathfield is in the highest rainfall (1200mm) part of the hills. Many areas also have a variety of micro climates which is worth bearing in mind. Fruit growing at Nirvana Apple :Granny Smith, Golden delicious , Jonathon, Red Fuji, Avocado Berries *Raspberries: Nootka, Chiliwack, yellow’ , Heritage *Blackcurrant: Hatton black, Baldwin, Magnus *Red currant *White currant *English gooseberries: Farmers glory, Green Giant, Yorkshire champion, Late red. Jostaberries Blue berries: Northla ..read more

The air is filled with the scent of chestnut flowers and bees hovering in and out of the chestnuts then heading for the linden or bottlebrushes. Dragonflies,  hover flies and swarms of common brown butterflies are among the other insects filling the spaces in the orchards.             The berries provide the colour, red, yellow, purple, black, white and green. No need for Christmas decorations here. All the fruit trees have babuls of their own, gifted with developing fruit.       The gosling which hatched late are fluffy with white down and developing feathers better than any ..read more