Inputs/Outputs

 

The inputs & outputs analysis highlighted afew gaps in the observations so far, and also illustrated well what the priorities of the design should be.

 

I edited the functions slightly, I feel they’re more specific to the site and people from doing this and they address better the issues onsite. The'yre more thorough, and will make more of a difference to the site over all. Having done this the solutions can be more applicable and appropriate and also more specific to the needs. In that sense the design is better overall and each solutions can be focussed on in context paradoxically resulting in a more simple streamlined and effective design

 

*So to make this more of a closed cycle* -or at least connected in with other cycles of abundance, I need to address these issues in particular.

This will make the system more self maintaining, less human input, & more ecologically sound,

 

So, how to do this? I asked myself afew questions:

 

• Can I make any immediate connections that are not already in place?

A large scale rat free wormery in the garden to transform all of the kitchen waste into super rich compost/manure, which can then take the place of some/all of the horse manure? Hmmm- well the hm also has straw so....

A chicken composting area -they don't have to be in it all the time...

Groundcovers instead of mulch (slugs?) They could also be N+ like permanent clovers

Ducks moving around more

Plantings to take advantage of septic tank leakage which could then supply another function hmmmm comfrey again then use for compost/mulch? To get the fertility from the leaks. Or just buy that book & redo the whole septic system that could be my next design!!

 

• Initial ideas?

Fruit cage of some sort

Forest garden

Comfrey for mulch

Grow more N+ trees in the hedges?

Frog specific pond with rainwater to help control slug population

Seed saving

Grow trees for tool handles

 

• Any way it affects my current functions (& even solutions)?

Need more fertility cycling onsite, sources of fertility from closer to home.

Spend Less Time gardening

Spend less Money –or make some!

Protect crops from rats and birds

Make productive use of the plentiful water we receive

Create drier spaces for growing annuals

Trees for tool handles

Material for bedding for chickens and ducks, maybe even rabbits

Feed for chickens and ducks (slugs)

Mulch material/plants especially for the perennials, fruit trees and bushes.

 

• Any radical or random thoughts or ideas?

HugleCulture –then wood/brush can be used whole

Ask neighbour if we can collect reeds from the lake shore for mulching (or compost)

Community composting/worm farm -cuba!

Grow seed for sale = money oputput!

New greenhouse/solar dryer

 

 

• Any brilliant Ideas?

 A frost deflector which encourages frost to flow down through the garden past the house rather than settling along the back of the house, this also insulates the house somewhat and can be also designed as a windbreak (for the house) from the south west winds. Multiple functions it could comprise of edible plants, shrubs, chicken and duck forage, and or nutrient accumulators for fertility gathering (would be good cause you’re bringing it back up the slope anything that does run off so it’s multiple sources for the run off and fertility concerns.

However, caution! Don’t want to unwittingly trap the frost higher up in the garden where the growing area is. So hmmm how to do this. Have a permeable ‘barrier’, have staggered plantings, maybe filter rather than block, don’t plant right up to the annual beds leave a wide path, create a sharp, steep, curve almost to a point so there is absolutely no where where it cuts across the slope…. -See design map!

 

What research is Required to process these ideas & design solutions further?

 

Priorities for research

Time -layout/access, watering, no dig options & techniques,

Fertility -see systems & elements doc for ideas of what to research

Protect crops (esp. Fruit) from birds, rats & slugs

 

Slug predators

Rat predators

Large scale wormeries

Frost deflectors

Windbreaks

Shade tolerant plants esp. perennials for above purposes (detail)

Chicken forage plants (detail)

What’s the best wood for tool handles?

Plants for frosty/shady areas

Growing mushrooms on sycamore logs

 

 

Ok so now I’m thinking I could do some more work on the systems and elements.

Perhaps I could also do some research on some of the ideas I’ve had. I also need to do a design map

 

AND I need to email the folk about the yields research to see when we get the results it would be good to know detail of that

I want to do the soil tests so I need distilled water

 

And I would also hope to be able to calculate how much space I need to grow enough veg> How I am gonna do that I don’t know.

Read John Jeavons!

 

Then look at the permaculture principles too, especially stacking and microclimates.