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A. Herb Spirals
Based on both the spiral and the helix patterns found in nature, herb spirals save space. They condense 45' x 3' of garden beds into 15' diameter, 3-dimensional area. All herbs are easy to access (can stand on outer walls to reach inner circles) and easy to irrigate (one central sprinkler in top covers all plants).
Furthermore, herb spirals generate microclimates. Sunlight, wind, moisture (sectors) affect sides and heights of the spiral differently, providing niches for varying species:
- South and top (hotter, drier) - oregano, rosemary, thyme
- North and bottom (cooler, moister) - parsley, chives
- North/east (shadier) - coriander
B. Keyhole beds
Keyhole beds are another means of efficiently using space, with minimal access paths and irrigation. As a south-facing horseshoe shape with larger plants in the rear, they act as "sun traps," maximizing sun exposure and storing heat. Also, they are designed according to zoning, where plants visited most frequently are placed closest to the center:- Inner circle, along path - herbs and greens picked daily
- Middle rows - tomatoes, eggplants, peas, peppers and other produce picked every few days
- Outer rows - carrots, potatoes, lettuce, and other produce harvested only once
- Periphery - trees and beneficial plants such as comfrey to produce mulch, legumes to fix nitrogen and flowers to attract pollinators
C. Greenhouses
Greenhouses' translucent siding catches and stores solar heat (Principle 2), greatly extending the growing season. Heat is also generated through compost and vermicompost bins located adjacent to and inside greenhouses.
Other sector considerations include:
Other sector considerations include:
- Aligned east to west, so they capture more sunlight along their length
- Protected from chilling winter winds by evergreen windbreaks on northern edges
- Angled roofs capture rainwater for storage tanks
D. Polyculture Fields
Fields allow large scale production of crops for visitors' meals, livestock feed and income at market, in accordance with Principle #3, "obtain a yield." Permaculture design applications include:
- Guilds such as "Three Sisters" (beans, corn and squash) produce high yields, require less maintenance and educate visitors.
- Crops planted in web, rather than rectangular pattern to conserve space and increase yield.
- Wholly organic production thanks to:
- Rich, built soil from mulching- NO tilling;
- Fertilizer provided entirely by mulch, compost and manure;
- Pest control provided by livestock and pest-repelling companion plants (bee balm, garlic, peppermint, etc.).
E. Food Forests
The ultimate, harmonious production system is the mature food forest. They self-regulate (Principle #4) and require little maintenance due to cohesion between supporting species, known as 'guilds.' Support roles include mulch-producers, nitrogen-fixers, insect-attractors, dynamic nutrient accumulators and windbreaks. Furthermore, from fruit-bearing canopy to ground covers, all niches, or 'layers,' are planted for maximum yield (Principle #3) and maximum diversity (Principle #10). Suitable in our USDA Hardiness Zone #6, here is a list of species per layer:
- Tall tree - Apple, pear, plum and chestnut for food; cherry and honey locust to attract insects and wildlife
- Low tree - Almond, apricot, dwarf peach and dwarf apple
- Shrub - Goumi and Siberian pea for nitrogen fixation; cranberry and raspberry for food
- Ground cover - Clovers, strawberry, mustard and alfalfa for nitrogen fixation, "living mulch" (erosion prevention, soil building, cooling and moisture retention), insect attraction as well as food production
- Vine - Passionfruit, grape, jasmine and hardy kiwi
- Root - Peanuts for nitrogen; potato, garlic and onions for food
The areas to the southwest (and south of the lake, perfect for gravity irrigation) provide additional space for food and feed production. Depending on the expected number visitors and livestock of a given year, a certain amount of space can be pushed into productivity. Forests can be pruned and fertilized, and fields can be sheet-mulched and planted.
Livestock
F. Chickens
With the introduction of poultry into our system we increase diversity (Principle #10). This in turn builds upon the beneficial connections between soil, plants, insects and animals. Chickens improve the soil for plants by tilling, removing seeds of invasives, and limiting insect populations. This feeds the chickens, who then fertilize the soil with manure. Each of these roles filled by nature means less need for human labor, costs and chemicals.
For these benefits to materialize, the chickens must be integrated (Principle #8) into our production systems listed above. They reside in central coups, connected to sections of fenced-off food forest. They are allowed to forage edible ground covers (buckwheat, alfalfa, clovers, etc.) in one section, then rotated to another. At times they are also given free range of our fields, beds and greenhouses, as long as no vulnerable seedlings are present. We also have a chicken tractor to concentrate their tilling, pest-control and fertilizing functions.
Furthermore, chickens are excellent for obtaining yields (Principle #3). Leghorns were chosen for near-daily eggs, and Cornish Crosses and Jersey Giants for fast-growing, thick meat.
With the introduction of poultry into our system we increase diversity (Principle #10). This in turn builds upon the beneficial connections between soil, plants, insects and animals. Chickens improve the soil for plants by tilling, removing seeds of invasives, and limiting insect populations. This feeds the chickens, who then fertilize the soil with manure. Each of these roles filled by nature means less need for human labor, costs and chemicals.
For these benefits to materialize, the chickens must be integrated (Principle #8) into our production systems listed above. They reside in central coups, connected to sections of fenced-off food forest. They are allowed to forage edible ground covers (buckwheat, alfalfa, clovers, etc.) in one section, then rotated to another. At times they are also given free range of our fields, beds and greenhouses, as long as no vulnerable seedlings are present. We also have a chicken tractor to concentrate their tilling, pest-control and fertilizing functions.
Furthermore, chickens are excellent for obtaining yields (Principle #3). Leghorns were chosen for near-daily eggs, and Cornish Crosses and Jersey Giants for fast-growing, thick meat.
G. Ducks
Runners and Khaki Campbells were chosen for egg-laying proficiency as well as cold tolerance. Beneficial outputs include fertilizer and pest control for the nearby crops, as well as delicious eggs, feathers (for fishing lures and crafts) and occasionally meat. Inputs include feed (water hyacinth, azolla, and duckweed grow in the surrounding shallows and snails, worms and beetles are attracted by select plants) and protection from predators (coop and surrounding land is fenced in, accessible only to ducks via water).
H. Fish
The lake is stocked with trout, tilapia, catfish and perch. They are a key component to our
aquatic ecosystem, as well as a high-yielding source of food. Design elements that provide fish feed are leguminous trees overhanging the lake, insects attracted by flowers, and fast-growing algae. Also, based on a design by Bill Mollison, rafts with solar-powered lamps attract bugs for fish food[1]. For protection, sections of the lake are sealed off with nets to provide growth area for fries. Different sections protect different sizes species of fish, depending on the net's mesh size.
Visitors can catch fish for recreation and, if 12" or larger, for dinner!
The lake is stocked with trout, tilapia, catfish and perch. They are a key component to our aquatic ecosystem, as well as a high-yielding source of food. Design elements that provide fish feed are leguminous trees overhanging the lake, insects attracted by flowers, and fast-growing algae. Also, based on a design by Bill Mollison, rafts with solar-powered lamps attract bugs for fish food[1]. For protection, sections of the lake are sealed off with nets to provide growth area for fries. Different sections protect different sizes species of fish, depending on the net's mesh size.
Visitors can catch fish for recreation and, if 12" or larger, for dinner!
Support and other components
I. Nursery - The propagation of selected species is key to the project. As plants succeed or fail throughout the campgrounds, we observe and choose species accordingly, making the nursery ground zero for accepting feedback and responding to change (Principle #4 & #12).
J. Compost bins - Where "waste" becomes a valuable resource (Principle #6). Food scraps, coffee grounds, paper, plants and any other organic matter are tossed in these conveniently-located bins. Rich in nutrients and micro-organisms, compost replaces those lost in harvested areas (not necessary in self-regulating food forests). Decomposition also provides heat to greenhouses.
K. Vermicompost bins - And additional source of nutrient-rich soil conditioner and organic fertilizer.
L. Equipment shed - Safe keeping for equipment, including dryer for preserving foods.
M. Tool racks - Space saving and easily accessible place for tools.
N. Water catchment tanks - Rainwater from the greenhouses is caught in these tanks. This renewable resource (Principle #5) helps irrigate crops and feed livestock in times of shortage (Principle #2)
O. Vehicle access - Wide enough to fit vehicles for efficient loading and unloading. Access roads are graded to divert runoff to swales and plant systems.
P. Foot paths - Provide quick access from production to related areas, such as cooking or roadside market.
[1] Bill Mollison, Permaculture: A Designers' Manual (Tasmania: Tagari Publications, 1980); p. 488
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