Comments on: Vetiver – One Grass Revolution

By: sharon champagne

sharon champagne — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 21:12:07 +0000

Hi all, please contact us through our website at http://www.permaculturedesign.com.au or via email at brogopg (at) bigpond.net.au regarding slips of vetiver grass.

By: Greg Bell

Greg Bell — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 21:44:34 +0000

Grahame – I got my Vetiver from a seller named “walterlillee” on ebay. Here’s the old sale, which links to their current auctions.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170569608819

From that page you can “Contact Seller” and ask about Vetiver.

By: Shelley McClure

Shelley McClure — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 10:43:35 +0000

To re-invigorate an exciting topic. I have also been activated by John Champagne at a Permaculture course he taught here in Thailand re. the amazing versitility of vetiver grass.

I am getting involved in the design of an education project for farmers in Northern Thailand and am looking at using vetiver to create terraced areas.

During my research I came across this great resource. http://www.vetiver.org/THA_training%20manual.pdf

I am wondering if anyone has heard of examples of vetiver and keyline patterning?

I agree Joni, applications on the Australian landscape should be valuable.

By: Grahame

Grahame — Tue, 11 May 2010 10:00:55 +0000

Where can I buy or otherwise obtain vetiver grass in Sydney?

By: Jonathon Chan

Jonathon Chan — Sun, 02 May 2010 23:58:31 +0000

Hi Greg, just before we planted out the Vetiver, John went over with the brush cutter. But he did say previously he was running geese in the area, but he got rid of them when he thought he was moving, but then changed his mind. I would recommend geese over goats especially amongst an orchard where goats will rep havoc. I’ve heard it said that 6 geese are about equivalent to one cows in grass consumption. They are pretty self reliant and don’t take a lot of work. You might want to keep them fenced off from ponds and dams, as they can make a big mess, and it can be hard to get them out. They are quiet resilient when it comes to foxes (compared to other poultry) except when they are sitting on eggs, so you might want to provide them some protection during this time. You would probably need to slash the area before introducing the geese, but after that (if you have enough) they will keep the grass down. If you have any other questions you can email me on jcnz88(at)gmail.com

By: Greg

Greg — Sat, 01 May 2010 07:29:08 +0000

Jonathan – do you know how John manages his grass? It was so short in the video, which would give the vetiver a good fighting chance. After a year of being on our property, without a tractor and slasher, our “grass” is now waist high.

Just wondering how experienced permaculturalists deal with this – big expensive petroleum based machinery? Mobs of goats?

By: Dick Grimshaw

Dick Grimshaw — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 15:45:06 +0000

For more on vetiver see my blog: http://vetivernetinternational.blogspot.com/

In Mauritius vetiver was planted around gardens to stop the intrusion o Kikuyu grass.

Vetiver should be part of the tool kit of every permaculturist!

By: Jonathon Chan

Jonathon Chan — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 05:29:45 +0000

Hi Glen, I’m pretty sure that the main vetiver cultivar used is the non-spreading non-invasive variety Monto, but I’m awaiting John confirmation on that. If you contact him directly he may be able to help you out with a source close to you. I know he spends a bit of time in the Canberra area teaching Permaculture courses. He’s a great guys, and I’m sure he will be more than happy to assist you. His email address is brogopg (at) bigpond.net.au.

By: Kath

Kath — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 04:58:29 +0000

Sounds like a good solution to my problem of kikuyu grass intrusion into vegie beds. But where can I get it from in Perth, WA??

By: john greenfield

john greenfield — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 04:56:17 +0000

Welcome to you all from the Vetiver Network, yes vetiver grass is a unique grass,so unique I couldn’t possibly do it justice here, you would have to take a ‘walk’ through our extensive website,
http://www.vetiver.org

John Greenfield,
Director
The Vetiver Network International
April 22 2010