Here is a mockup of the site layout, in a spreadsheet format. Coming soon, this map will hold actual data.

LINK

Swales or Berms?

I feel that it can be the same thing. I think of swales as being defined by their function and relation to the slope. We are doing no digging of swales on this site. Rather, we are building berms or raised beds along the contour lines of the land. These in effect are swales and work best with the overall strategy to build soil on this rocky site.

There are five swales in all. Three will be on the upper or western side of the site. The lower two, together with the upper three form a natural central gathering area.

Central Area:

The swales naturally form an open area at the center of the site. The use of this area remains to be interpreted through the feedback loop we will be observing while working on the site. Possibilities might include an herb spiral and planting bed, cob benches for relaxing or teaching classes, or a workstation for plant propagation and instruction. This location is most likely to serve as a clear space to meet, however we wish to maximize the usable growing area on the site. A careful balance will be struck between these two needs.

Existing Garden:

There is already a healthy annual garden on the site. The position of this garden is actually fortiuitous. It lays downhill from the swales and will receive any excess water that moves downhill. It is a good place for an annual garden.

South Edge Border:

The south edge of the site is the longest exposed edge to the sidewalks. Because of the contour of the site, the southern edge offers the most potential for unwanted traffic to enter the site.Because the beds are not raised up off the trails, plants could easily be damaged.

Several options have been considered. One is to close the swales on the south edge with an additional berm planting bed running along the southern edge. Plated with tall barrier plants, it would form a natural fence. Raspberries, Jerusalem artichokes, blueberries, and other tal or shruby plants would be ideal. Acidic soil loving plants will flourish early on gettin the barrier established as soon as possible.

Another option is to put in a fence of some sort. There are many options and any of them could serve as plant trellis. Grapes, chayote squash, and others could be planted along the row forming a food-bearing barrier.

There will be 2 primary entrances to the site from the south edge, one at the far south-west corner, and another at approximately mid-point of the south edge.

Eastern Edge:

The steep, rocky eastern edge serves well as another entrance to the site. There are already several impressions of zig-zagging trails among the boulders. This area can be visioned in several ways, but all should repsect its boulder strewn nature and preserve the pathways, enhancing them with dense plantings along their edges and among the boulders. I feel there is a distinct oppoortunity here to design an ornamental garden among these boulders, with every plant having a yield we desire. It could serve as a showcase for edible and medicinal ornamental plant alternatives. Not all food scapes need look like a farm.