Landscape Design for
Andrew Lawrence 146 Nash Hill Road Haydenville, Massachusetts John C. Lepore Conway School of Landscape Design 332 South Deerfield Road Conway, Massachusetts
Fall 2010
Endangered Jefferson Salamander
Wooded Wetland Looking South
INDEX 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14.
Context Goals and Existing Conditions Legal Slopes and Drainage Soils Solar Access Land Cover Summary Analysis Sustainability Potential Inspiration Preferred Design Preferred Design: Sections Planting Palette Alternative Designs
Williamsburg showing BioMap2 Core Habitat
On a larger scale, this beautiful landscape is connected to the huge Connecticut River Watershed and joins the long Connecticut River through a series of small streams and brooks. Protected “eco-regions,” prescribed surface water protection areas, several certified vernal pools, and the potential for many more surround the Lawrence property. Seven Natural Heritage Rare and Endangered Species find refuge in the vicinity, as well. The area affords invaluable natural resources yet presents many challenges in land development for the property owner.
Lawrence Property
John C. Lepore
Conway School of Landscape Design Fall 2010
Imagine the excitement of purchasing property to gain independence from a conventional food supply and traditional energy systems. Then, after many long hard days of work, a major error threatens to destroy these goals. The Lawrence property is located on the secluded and unpaved Nash Hill Road in Haydenville, part of Williamsburg, Massachusetts. Vast hilly terrain offers hikers miles of trails through rolling forested hills. Driving along on Nash Hill Road, one looks down onto seven stream crossings - of them, three traverse old failing bridges. Each side of the road contains mixed hardwood forests and mysterious wooded wetlands. About 15 homes reside on this road about 3 miles (7 minutes by car) from Williamsburg town center. The nearest neighbors, who are also close friends to Andrew Lawrence, live less than a few hundred yards away on large lots.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts: Williamsburg is located
146 Nash Hill Rd. Haydenville, MA
in the state’s western portion.
Wright Brook
Context
Wright Brook
Connecticut River Watershed: The Lawrence property
drains water to the Wright Brook, then into the Mill River which empties into the Connecticut River.
Lawrence Property, 146 Nash Hill Road,
Haydenville (part of Williamsburg), focus area front half of the 2-acre lot.
Nash Hill Road: Natural Heritage Rare and Endangered Species program includes certified vernal pools (stars) and acknowledges the potential for several more (disks). Wright Brook moves water south from this area to Mill River in Williamsburg, about 3 miles south.
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Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.
Context
Terraced area looking north.
Two important site qualities emerged: 1) in the lot’s center there is a significant amount of ledge beneath excavated topsoil, and 2) tree removal below the steep grade had gone beyond legal limits into a legally protected wooded wetland.
Proposed Septic Area
The owner contacted the Williamsburg Conservation Commission to acknowledge his mistake. The commission ordered him to hire a wetland scientist to delineate the wooded wetland and to help define a “Limit of Work Area.” Additionally, they requested a re-vegetation plan for the wetland and adjacent hillside within the “Limit of Work Area” plus a sustainable landscape design for the home site. The owner’s vision is to create a sustainable self-sufficient homestead that will produce much of his food while minimizing the impact on the natural nutrient cycles within the surrounding ecosystems.
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6
5 3
Looking north from terrace toe to top of proposed septic area.
4
From roadside looking southeast onto proposed septic area where logs are stacked
2 HP
3
LP
Neighbor’s Well
Goals
• Design a self-reliant, passive solar home
5
Neighbor’s house from northeast. Note well pipe in center.
6
Ledge area close up.
Corner of Neighbor’s House
0’ 5’ 10’ 15’ 20’ Contour Intervals 5 ft
N
with shed/greenhouse, & food production areas. • Design an ecologically sensitive homestead with on-site nutrient & water cycling that protects the wetland and other natural resources.
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Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.
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John C. Lepore
2
Ledge
146 Nash Hill Rd. Haydenville, MA
West entryway looking east.
Intermittent Stream
Lawrence Property
1
d.
Wooded Wetland Edge
Andrew Lawrence purchased the steeply sloped, 2-acre property at 146 Nash Hill Road from his close friends and neighbors in 2008 to build a solar-heated home with greenhouse and utility shed. He also hoped to garden and raise rabbits and small pigs for meat. Land clearing began. A local excavator installed a driveway with coarse gravel and flattened an area for a house and garden.
Goals & Existing Conditions
Limit of Work Area
Conway School of Landscape Design Fall 2010
Existing Conditions
Legend
Wooded Wetland Edge
40’
Stream Limit of 100’ Wetland Buffer Zone
Re-Vegetation of Disturbed Area: The Conservation Commission requires that this area be re-vegetated for a development permit. This reduces potential impact on the wooded wetland. Deeded Easement to Share Neighbor’s Well: The owner’s deed stipulates shared use of the neighbor’s well as an option with clearly stipulated provisions.
Proposed Septic Location
Town-Right-of-Way: The town requires a 25-1/2 foot setback from the edge of road to the property line.
Maple-saplings (center) replace accidentally cut trees within protected wooded wetland.
Re-Vegetation of Disturbed Area
Building Setback: No building can be placed closer than 40’ from the TownRight-of-Way and 15 feet from the neighbor’s property line; determines the closest location for buildings. Proposed Well Location
Limit of 100’ Wetland Buffer Zone: 100 feet from the wetland boundary.
Septic Setbacks: The septic system may not be closer than 50 feet to a wetland or stream and 20 feet from a building. • The septic is limited to the northeast corner of the Limit of Work Area unless the owner chooses to exercise the deeded easement to the neighbor’s well, which creates more opportunities for placement. • A compost toilet would reduce the standard system area by 50%. Conservation Commission: To obtain a permit to build within the wetland buffer zone the owner must agree to: • Re-vegetate the disturbed area. • Replace trees in the wooded wetland removed before wetland delineation • Present a sustainable landscape design that reduces the potential impact on the fragile wetland.
15’
Neighbor’s Well
10’
Wetland
Suitable Development Area
Legal
Well Setbacks: The well must be a minimum of 30 feet from the Town’s-Right-ofWay and neighbor’s property line; it must also be 100 feet from the septic system. • This limits the well’s location to the site’s northwest corner unless the owner chooses to exercise the deeded easement to the neighbor’s well.
146 Nash Hill Rd. Haydenville, MA
Property Setback: No structures, such as fences, allowed within 10’ of the TownRight-of-Way; this applies to all boundaries of the property.
0’ 5’ 10’ 15’ 20’ Contour Intervals 5 ft
N
Suitable Development Area: Defined by The Town-Right-of-Way, Property Setback, and the Limit of Work Area.
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Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.
10’ Conway School of Landscape Design Fall 2010
Limit of Work Area: Identified by the wetland scientist and accepted by Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program. The owner may use land to this line as long as the conditions outlined in “Conservation Commission” below are met.
25 1/2’
Limit of Work Area
John C. Lepore
Legal restrictions on this site demand primary consideration in the design process. The delineation of the wetland is described in “Existing Conditions,” page 2. A number of setbacks limit the location of the well, septic system and buildings on the site.
Legend
Lawrence Property
Legal
• Driveway slopes toward stream and wetland
→ Drainage from driveway needs to be directed away from wetland.
• Some proposed garden areas have slopes greater than 25%
→ In addition to careful terracing, regrading to less than 33% slope is necessary; fill will be required; Contour terracing is needed to prevent vertical runoff.
• Proposed septic area in steep location
→ Septic system can leach excess nutrients that could make their way into the nearby wooded wetland and stream. Efforts to reduce nutrient leaching toward wetland are critical.
• Rooftops are impervious
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Conway School of Landscape Design Fall 2010
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John C. Lepore
1 to 5 % Slope Suitable Development Area (See page 3)
Drainage direction
Driveway
Proposed Septic Area
146 Nash Hill Rd. Haydenville, MA
→ Creates potentially dangerous conditions during winter months; requires regrading.
Stream
5 to 10 % Slope
Lawrence Property
• Driveway slopes 10 to 15%
10 to 15 % Slope
High Point
Proposed Garden area
Low Point Wooded Wetland
→ Roofs should have a water collection system to reduce rapid runoff toward wetland. 0’0 5’5 10’ 10 15’ 15 20’ 20 Contour ContourIntervals Intervals11ft.ft
Slopes & Drainage
→ Slopes 15 % or greater are difficult to traverse. Garden rows should run parallel with slopes; stairs are necessary for movement up and down slopes.
15 to 25 % Slope
ad
• A large portion of the site has slopes from 15 to 25% slope
→ These areas are highly unstable and prone to erosion; may require vegetation for erosion control & minimal use
> 25 % Slope
Ro
• Large percentage of site is greater than 25% slope
→ Slope directs water and potential undesirable nutrients toward sensitive wetland.
Na sh Hi ll
• Site drains toward wetland.
Legend
NN
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Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.
Slopes & Drainage
2
Characteristics of Merrimac fine sandy loam • Water passes very rapidly through this soil and substratum (which typically extends to a depth of 60 inches).
Wetland Conway School of Landscape Design Fall 2010
Suitable Development Area
Characteristics of Scitico & Saco Silt Loam which tend to filter materials moving into the substratum.
• Permeability is moderately rapid. Therefore, dissolved nutrients travel easily into the
John C. Lepore
• This is a very deep, poorly drained soil, formed in silty/clayey sediments A
• Materials transported from the hillside above tend to accumulate on the
wetland.
surface, decreasing its filtering capabilities. This can interfere with natural water purification, a major function of the wetland.
• Severe erosion and drought are the main limitations to crop cultivation. • Minimum tillage, terracing, and cover crop usage can reduce erosion and excessive
A‘
Source: Soil Survey of Hampshire County Massachusetts, Natural Resource Conservation Service; formerly U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service 1981
runoff from reaching the protected wetland.
• Excessive slope on Merrimac fine sandy loam limits its use for buildings and septic system placement.
Lawrence Property
1
Section A to A’ through the Lawrence Property Focus Area
• Rapid permeability limits this soil for septic system use and could create a hazard of
146 Nash Hill Rd. Haydenville, MA
contamination to ground water and nearby wells.
Septic Systems
Soils
Massachusetts Title 5 Septic regulations (310 CMR 15) allow the use of compost toilets, subject to certain conditions. These offer several advantages to the Lawrence site: • Compost toilet use allows the reduction of the septic system size by 50%; this would enable placement of the system away from the steep slope and the wetland while remaining on a well-drained soil.
• Since solid human waste containing undesirable nitrogen compounds is
removed and does not enter a standard septic design, the potential harm to wetlands is greatly reduced.
• Compost toilets significantly reduce the amount of water needed for home use, a significant water conservation measure.
Conventional and alternative systems require approval by the town’s Board of Health.
1
A
Suitable Development Area*
2
Wetland NTS
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Soils
Tree removal during the landscape development could change these conditions and may need to be considered in the home and greenhouse final locations. Leaf-less trees during the seasons opposite the growing season (late fall to early spring) enable optimal passive solar gain for the solar heated home and greenhouse. Site analysis reveals that the Lawrence property solar aspect is ideal for passive solar gain during the winter months. However, if the owner hopes to include photovoltaic panels for electricity, then locating the home in the full sun or placement of the panels on the ground in the full sun area will be necessary.
Winter Solstice 9 AM
Spring Equinox 8 AM
0’ 5’ 10’ 15’ 20’ Contour Intervals 5 ft.
N
Summer Solstice 2 PM Suitable Development Area
Conway School of Landscape Design Fall 2010
John C. Lepore
146 Nash Hill Rd. Haydenville, MA
Perennial growing areas, such as edible forest gardens and fruit orchards, enjoy full sun but also produce well in conditions like “Shade: Mid-Afternoon”. Mid-afternoon shade would benefit a greenhouse.
Solar Access
Autumn Equinox 8 AM
Lawrence Property
Gardens produce best under full sun conditions, so their best spot is “Full Sun: All Day.” The greenhouse could be here if shading curtains were added.
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Suitable Development Area Boundary
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Growing season sun/shade occurs from tree leaf-out in late spring to early fall when leaves drop. Solar heated homes and greenhouses generally require afternoon shade in warmer seasons to avoid overheating. The ideal location for a passive solar home and greenhouse on this site, therefore, is “Shade: Morning & Mid-Afternoon”.
Legend
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Solar Access
John C. Lepore
Lawrence Property
Mixed Forest Red oak dominates the mixed forest on the Lawrence property with an occasional beech and red maple. Ring count here and in the wooded wetland reveals tree ages to be about eighty years. This suggests that the trees here grew in after a disruption occurred in the 1930s when hurricanes could have downed the older, larger growth. A similar forest flourishes across the road, but with fewer red oaks. An interesting community of eastern hemlock, red maple, beech, black birch, and wild grape surround a small man-made off site pond established some time ago, possibly when the area was cleared for farming. This reservoir holds water that enters the Lawrence property via the stream on the east side
146 Nash Hill Rd. Haydenville, MA
Early Succession Field This area appears to have been cleared when the property was sold. Birches, maples and oaks are in the early stages of re-growth along with low ground cover. It, as with other areas on the property, is vulnerable to invasive plants becoming established.
Land Cover
Excavated The central portion was re-sculptured within the last few years to gain terraced space to garden, establish a driveway, and confirm the location of bedrock. This area faces a high likelihood of invasive plants becoming established as it transitions into a new plant community. The east edge of the flat terrace requires vegetative remediation with the addition of organic matter and topsoil to reduce the slope and the potential of heavy erosion into the wetland. Disturbed Area A steep slope between the excavated and disturbed areas with require restoration. Slopes as high as 80% exist and should be regraded to a 1:3 slope. Portions are disrupted from tree and brush piles removal, and the foot traffic associated with this work. More than any other areas the challenge here is to manage plant communities to avoid invasive plants from becoming established. 0’ 5’ 10’ 15’ 20’ Contour Intervals 5 ft
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Conway School of Landscape Design Fall 2010
Suitable Development Area
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Wooded Wetland In the Lawrence property’s lower reaches a number of water-tolerant woody and herbaceous species thrive: eastern hemlock, red maple, American elm, spicebush, sensitive fern, Christmas fern, foam-flower, and grey birch. Tree cutting has disturbed the outer edge of this area. Coppice maple and birch occur from the cutting of primary trunks on several middle-aged trees. A remediation plan is being implemented to restore this area, because this disturbance encourages invasive species, which will have a significant impact on the ecology of this area in a number of ways still discussed by ecologists.
Legend
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Land Cover
Growing Season Shaded Morning & Mid-Afternoon
Because slopes greater than 25% constitute much of the property, development, use, and excessive erosion are a serious challenge.
Proposed Septic Location
A large area of ledge in the center of the “Suitable Development Area” could hinder construction. (Existing Conditions, page 2)
The Growing Season: Full Sun All Day creates ideal conditions for food production gardens.
Proposed Well Location
Wetland Edge
Summary Analysis
The “Growing Season: Shaded Morning & Mid-Afternoon” zone produces ideal summer shade to prevent solar-heated home and greenhouse overheating.
146 Nash Hill Rd. Haydenville, MA
The “Re-vegetation Area” needs additional topsoil and stabilizing ground cover to reduce the slopes to no more than 33%. This should reduce erosion significantly. Re-vegetation of this area is subject to review by the Williamsburg Conservation Commission.
0’ 5’ 10’ 15’ 20’ Contour Intervals 5 ft
N
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Conway School of Landscape Design Fall 2010
Re-vegetation Area
John C. Lepore
Excessively drained soil in the “Suitable Development Area” has a potential for wetland contamination.
Suitable Development Area*
Lawrence Property
The on-site “Proposed Well Location” in the property’s northwest corner must be at least 100’ from the septic system in the northeast corner.
Slope >25% Hil lR
This special permit will allow the development of 0.46 acres BEFORE Property Setbacks and the Town-Right-of-Way are subtracted.
Growing Season Full Sun All Day
sh
The “Wetland Edge” requires vegetative restoration, and a sustainable landscape design within the Suitable Development Area will require a special permit from the Williamsburg Conservation Commission.
Legend
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Summary Analysis
Design with Nature and Culture
Create and implement designs that are responsible to economic, environmental and cultural conditions with respect to the local, regional and global context.
Use a decision-making hierarchy of preservation, conservation and regeneration
Provide future generations with a sustainable environment supported by regenerative systems and endowed with regenerative resources.
Support a living process
Continuously re-evaluate assumptions and values and adapt to demographic and environmental change.
Use a systems thinking approach
Understand and value the relationships in an ecosystem and use an approach that reflects and sustains ecosystem services; re-establish the integral and essential relationship between natural processes and human activity.
Use a collaborative and ethical approach
Encourage direct and open communication among colleagues, clients, manufacturers and users to link the long-term sustainability with ethical responsibility.
Maintain integrity in leadership and research
Implement transparent and participatory leadership, develop research with technical rigor and communicate new findings in a clear, consistent and timely manner.
Foster environmental stewardship The beautiful Nash Hill Road in early fall
In all aspects of land development and management, foster an ethic of environmental stewardship – an understanding that responsible management of healthy ecosystems improves the quality of life for present and future generations.
Conway School of Landscape Design Fall 2010
Be cautious in making decisions that could create risk to human and environmental health. Some actions can cause irreversible damage. Examine a full range of alternatives - including no action – and be open to contributions from all affected parties.
John C. Lepore
Precautionary principle
Provide regenerative systems as intergenerational equity
Global Climate Change Extreme temperatures, precipitation, drought, and winds loom on the horizon in the next decade and beyond. Careful planning and management of water and forests can protect valuable natural resources along with personal property.
Selective cutting of surrounding trees requires very careful consideration. Trees work together as communities in dispersing intense winds especially in the winter, so removal of one or two trees from a critical area may make others vulnerable to uprooting and breakage. Trees and shrubs enhance home temperature control in hot spells and help control excessive drying during droughts.
Make no changes to the site that will degrade the surrounding environment. Promote projects on sites where previous disturbances or development present an opportunity to regenerate ecosystems services through sustainable design.
Maximize and mimic the benefits of ecosystem services by preserving existing environmental features, conserving resources in a sustainable manner, and regenerating lost or damaged ecosystem services.
Use of photovoltaic panels may be considered at a later date. Although the roof aspect on two designs are southern, none of the designs presented in the following pages fits this application since the home’s shaded location is not sufficient to meet solar panel demands.
Resourceful rainwater collection from impermeable surfaces such as rooftops is ideal since water can easily be directed into rain collecting gutters and piped to a storage area. Management of runoff during extreme rainfall will also ensure that valuable soils and vulnerable wetlands are protected. Reduction of impervious driveway area also encourages improved water infiltration and aquifer recharging.
Do No Harm
146 Nash Hill Rd. Haydenville, MA
Home orientation, location, and design will determine the optimal ways to reduce the need for supplemental cooling during the hotter seasons of the year. As climate change continues to bring uncertain conditions, a design that considers heating and cooling in extreme situations could prove beneficial.
Gardening with annual vegetables, fruit orchards and edible forest gardens could produce an abundance of food for a large portion of the year. Food preservation by canning, drying, curing and freezing would also extend the season of eating locally. The greenhouse offers more opportunities for winter food production. `
Guiding Principles of a Sustainable Site
Lawrence Property
Renewable Energy Having a solar heated home shows the owner’s commitment to renewable energy. Solar heating would be supplemented with selectively harvested off-site firewood. If the greenhouse and utility shed share a common foundation with the home, heat from various sources could be easily moved by small electric fans and convection.
Food Production Food production is one of the client’s goals. Raising caged rabbits support sustainability three ways: a source of food, on-site availability of their food and rich compost from their waste. The client is also interested in a breed of small swine. Since pigs dig heavily to locate food underground, a pen on very level ground away from the steep slopes with several sections to avoid overgrazing would accommodate their needs while reducing the prospect of erosion.
Sustainability Potential
Schematic Alternatives Two alternative site plans show options for the potential overall site layout and the relationship of the solar home, greenhouse, food production areas, driveway, and wooded wetland. Mr. Lawrence plans to construct a two-story passive solar home of about 1200 square feet and a 240 square-foot greenhouse with utility shed of equal size. This greenhouse would serve to extend the growing season.
Sustainable Sites Initiative; Guidelines & Performance Benchmarks, 2009. ASLA, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center & US Botanical Garden. Page 7
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Sustainability Potential
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newworldgeek.com
Conway School of Landscape Design Fall 2010
John C. Lepore
waldeneffect.org
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farm4.static.flickr.com
hillsideherbs.com
146 Nash Hill Rd. Haydenville, MA
upload.wikimedia.org http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/49/Illust_passive_solar_d1.gif
Lawrence Property
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Inspiration
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Passive solar-heated home and terracing supports sustainable design.
water-gardens-information.com
richsoil.com
“Hugelkultur� uses woody waste for soil building. Very Ledge pond collects water from the roofshttp://www.richsoil.com/hugelkultur/bed_d.jpg and reduces effective on steep slopes and is an abundant resource runoff and stores irrigation water. from land clearing.
richsoil.com
Edible forest garden produces food perennially.
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grantwater.ie
Common Name
Utility Shed
Common Spicebush Pussy Willow Common Elderberry Meadowsweet Royal Fern Swamp Milkweed Swamp Aster Hardstem Bulrush
Groundnut Paw Paw
Edible Forest Garden
Ledge Pond
Hardy Kiwi
Solar Home Greenhouse
Well
Annual Vegetable Gardens
Strawberries Sweet Cicily Comfrey Fragrant False Indigo New Jersey Tea Anise hyssop Mints Bee Balm
Bank and Wetland Re-vegetation • Use native plants to encourage wildlife habitat, pollination and moisture retention • Increase re-vegetation potential with shrubs and ground cover • Arrange plantings to be aesthetically pleasing from multiple locations
Sea Kale
Well and Septic • Create a standard septic design for a 2-bedroom home placed beyond the 100’ well protection zone • Provide a grassy area on septic system for rabbit fodder • Drain water away from the driveway to protect the septic from water saturation
Peach
Coreopsis Dutch white clover Rhubarb
Asian Pear European Pear Lowbush Blueberry Highbush Blueberry
Nuts/ Mast
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Orchard
Apple
0’ 5’ 10’ 15’ 20’ Contour Intervals 5 ft.
Conway School of Landscape Design Fall 2010
Swamp Rose
John C. Lepore
Raspberry, Blackberry
Hog Peanut
Annual Vegetable Garden • Locate near greenhouse for daily access • Use raised beds with “hugelkultur” (logs underneath compost) to build soil and terrace against erosion while encouraging water infiltration Fruit Orchard • Locate for occasional access • Grade steep slopes to an “angle of repose”, ~33% with erosion control grass mix to stabilize bank as fruit crops develop • Channel excess water from driveway to irrigate the orchard and reduce erosion from rapid water runoff into the wetland
Bankers Dwarf Willow
146 Nash Hill Rd. Haydenville, MA
Septic
Sweet fern
Lawrence Property
Edible Forest Garden • Locate in sunny areas for most of the growing season • Layer plants to replicate ecological forest interactions with sun/shade, nutrient production/ use • Terrace slope to reduce erosion and ease access on steep slopes • Produce multi-layered effects with perennial crops
Wetland Re-vegetation
Passive Solar Home, Greenhouse and Utility Shed • Locate for optimal summer shade, and provide great exposure for solar heating during cooler months • Centralize access for entry, entertainment and daily use of the land • Reduce the driveway size to increase garden space and privacy from the road • Reuse former driveway coarse sand material as garden walkway mulch • Collect rooftop rainwater to fill a 3000-gallon “ledge pond” constructed on the ledge; irrigate gardens with it by gravity feed
New England Erosion Control/ Restoration Mix
Preferred Design
Slope Revegetation
The preferred design, “Restoration,” addresses Andrew Lawrence’s goals. He wishes to build a sustainable homestead with a solar-heated home, a greenhouse with utility shed and to produce food while living in harmony with the surrounding woods and wetland. This design includes the following:
Beaked Filbert Black Walnut Filbert
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Planting Palette (Abbreviated)
Preferred Design: Restoration
Re- graded Slope & Drainage Swale
A
NTS
A’
• Ledge pond (15’ wide, 3’ high) holds 3000 gallons of water, about the volume received from roof areas of greenhouse, home and shed/month. A gutter system delivers water to the ledge pond.
• Regraded slope changes from ~ 80% to 33%; re-vegetated with erosion control mix and planted with low bush blueberry - a terrific erosion control food producing shrub.
• Drainage swale diverts water from driveway runoff and to water the orchard: This re-directs about 3000 gallons of sediment carrying water from directly reaching the wetland/ month.
B’
A
A’
B
Annual Vegetable Garden
B
Greenhouse
Solar Home Utility Shed
Driveway
NTS
B’
• Most of the former driveway coarse sand is re-used as mulch in the gardens. • The greenhouse, solar home and utility shed share walls, so moving heat with small fans and by convection provides efficiency in maintaining comfort.
•
Erosion Control Restoration Mix should be used throughout the design for erosion control. (See Planting Palette, page 13)
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John C. Lepore Orchard with
146 Nash Hill Rd. Haydenville, MA
Solar Home & Greenhouse
Lawrence Property
Ledge Pond & roof water collection system
Preferred Design Sections
Edible Forest Garden
Conway School of Landscape Design Fall 2010
Preferred Design Sections
Nuts/ Mast
Orchard
Sun/Shade
Water
Soil
Ecological Function
Mixed Grasses
-
-
Full
Dry
Fine Sandy Loam
Erosion Control
Human Uses/Notes
New England Erosion Control/ Restoration Mix for Dry Sites
Agrostis alba, Agrostis perennials, Bouteloua gracilis, Elymus canadensis, Festuca rubra, Lolium multiflorum, Lolium perenne, Schizachycium scoparium, Sorgastrum nutans
Mulch with weed free straw/ add 10-10-10// New England Wetland Plants, Amherst, MA
Sweet fern
Comptonia peregina
Shrub
2-5'
2-5'
Full
Dry
Fine Sandy Loam
Erosion Control/Fixes Nitrogen/ Spreads by root suckers
Bankers Dwarf Willow
Salix x cotteti
Shrub
7' or less
Trailing
Full-Partial
FAC
Fine Sandy Loam
Erosion Control/ Fast growing native
Raspberry, Blackberry
Rubus spp.
Biennial shrub
5-7'
3'
Full
FAC
Well Drained
Erosion Control
Swamp Rose
Rosa palustris
Shrub
5-7'
5-7'
Full-Partial
OBL
Fine Silty Loam
Insect attraction/cover/nesting
Common Spicebush
Lindera benzoin
Shrub
6-10'
6-10'
Full-Partial
OBL
Fine Silty Loam
Attracts insects
Pussy Willow
Salix discolor
Shrub
6-10'
6-10'
Full - Low
FACW
Fine Silty Loam
Erosion Control
Common Elderberry
Sambucus canadensis
Shrub
6-8'
6-8'
Full
FACW-
Fine Silty Loam
Bird food for many species
Meadowsweet
Spiraea latifolia
Shrub
2-4'
2-4'
Full
FAC+
Either
Root suckers
Royal Fern
Osmunda regalis
Fern
2'
2'
Partial-shade
OBL
Fine Silty Loam
Native
Swamp Milkweed
Asclepias incarnata
Herb
4'
4'
Full
OBL
Fine Silty Loam
Attracts insects
Swamp Aster
Symphyotrichum puniceum
Herb
4-8'
3'
Full
OBL
Fine Silty Loam
Attracts butterflies/Easily self-seeds
Hardstem Bulrush
Schoenoplectus acutus
Herb
10'
1'
Full
OBL
Fine Silty Loam
Wildlife attraction/Removes heavy metals & nutrients
Hog Peanut
Amphicarpa bracteata
Herb
>12"
Spreads
Partial-shade
Varies
Nitrogen Fixation/ Ground Cover
Hardy Kiwi
Actinidia arguta
Vine
Varies
Spreads
Full
Well Drained
Fine Sandy Loam
Groundnut
Apios americana
Herb
>12"
Varies
Partial-shade
Well Drained
Fine Sandy Loam
Paw Paw
Asimina triloba
Tree
30'
20'
Full-Partial
Well Drained
Fine Sandy Loam
Edible fruit
Strawberries
Fragaria spp.
Herb
>12"
10"
Full
Well Drained
Fine Sandy Loam
Edible Fruit
Sweet Cicily
Osmorhiza spp.
Herb
2'
Varies
Partial-shade
Well Drained
Fine Sandy Loam
Edible bulbs, roots or tubers
Comfrey
Symphytum officinale
Herb
5'
5'
Full
Well Drained
Fine Sandy Loam
Pulls nutrients up
Fragrant False Indigo
Amorpha nana
Shrub
5'
5'
Full
Well Drained
Fine Sandy Loam
Nitrogen fixer/ Attracts beneficial insects
New Jersey Tea
Ceanothus americanus
Shrub
3'
3'
Full-Partial
Well Drained
Fine Sandy Loam
Nitrogen fixer/ Attracts beneficial insects
Anise hyssop
Agastache foeniculum
Herb
2-4'
2'
Full-Partial
Well Drained
Fine Sandy Loam
Attracts insects
Mints
Mentha spp.
Herb
2-3'
2-3'
Full-Partial
Well Drained
Fine Sandy Loam
Attracts insects, groundcover
Tea,
Bee Balm
Monarda didyma
Herb
2-4'
2-3'
Full-Partial
Well Drained
Fine Sandy Loam
Attracts hummingbirds
Tea
Sea Kale
Crambe maritima
Herb
2-3'
2-3'
Full Partial
Well Drained
Fine Sandy Loam
Coreopsis
Coreopsis verticillata
Herb
Full
Well Drained
Fine Sandy Loam
Groundcover, attracts insects
Dutch white clover
Trifolium repens
Herb
1'
1'
Full
Well Drained
Fine Sandy Loam
Groundcover, dynamic accumulator, nitrogen fixer
Rhubarb
Rheum rhabarbarum
Herb
5'
4'
Full
Well Drained
Fine Sandy Loam
Edible stem
Apple
Pyrus malus
Tree
Semi- Dwarf
Varies
Full
Well Drained
Fine Sandy Loam
Edible Fruit
Peach
Prunus persica
Tree
Semi- Dwarf
Varies
Full
Well Drained
Fine Sandy Loam
Edible Fruit
Asian Pear
Pyrus pyrifolia
Tree
Semi- Dwarf
30-40'
Full
Well Drained
Fine Sandy Loam
Edible Fruit
Pear
Pyrus communis
Tree
Semi- Dwarf
Varies
Full
Well Drained
Fine Sandy Loam
Edible Fruit
Lowbush Blueberry
Vaccinium angustifolium
Shrub
>12�
Varies
Full
Well Drained
Fine Sandy Loam
Highbush Blueberry
Vaccinium corymbosum
Shrub
4-6'
4-6'
Full - Partial
Drained to Moist
Fine Sandy Loam
Beaked Filbert
Corylus cornuta
Shrub-Tree
6-10'
6-8'
Full
Well Drained
Fine Sandy Loam
Shade
Black Walnut
Juglans nigra
Tree
100'
50-70'
Full
Well Drained
Fine Sandy Loam
Shade
Filbert
Corylus avellana
Tree
to 25'
25'
Full
Well Drained
Fine Sandy Loam
Shade
Edible fruit
Edible flowers & fruit/Tolerates various soil conditions
Edible fruit; aggressive, needs further study Nitrogen Fixation/ Ground Cover
Edible tubers
Leaves for tea
Tea, edible leaves
Edible greens, shoots and broccoli heads
Erosion Control/ Fast growing native
Conway School of Landscape Design Fall 2010
Width (ft.)
John C. Lepore
Ht (ft.)
146 Nash Hill Rd. Haydenville, MA
Perennial
Lawrence Property
Botanical name
Edible Forest Garden
Planting Palette
Edible Forest Garden
Wetland Re-vegetation
Slope Revegetation
Common Name
Edible Fruit Edible Fruit Nuts/ Mast
Edible Forest Garden
OBL- Obligate wetland species; FACW- Facultative Wetland Plants; FAC- Facultative Species
13/14
Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.
Planting Palette
This suggested basic site plan, which would be transferred to the new owner, shows a simple scheme which utilizes the original driveway, leaves room for an on-site well and septic and suggests a home location for easiest driveway access. The site could also be sold, left undeveloped, and returned to woodland.
• Loss of patio feature at the west corner of the house/greenhouse
Alternative Design: Compromise
Se
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146 Nash Hill Rd. Haydenville, MA
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Lawrence Property
• Integrating the ledge pond to the west corner of the house/greenhouse
Bu
ildi
ng
Septic
Alternative Designs
Home
Preferred Design: Restoration Footprint Well
0’ 5’ 10’ 15’ 20’ Contour Intervals 5 ft.
N
14/14
Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.
• Slight modifications in the walkway/ house entryway
“For Sale” prepares a building lot for selling. Bank re-grading and wetland re-vegetation would still be necessary, but no building or utilities would be constructed. Conway School of Landscape Design Fall 2010
Compromise is similar to the preferred “Restoration” design but it moves the home, greenhouse and utility shed away from the “Limit of Work Area,” toward Nash Hill Road, thus reducing the potential impact of construction near the fragile wetland. A variance to reduce the town’s 40-foot building setback to 25 feet would require support from the Williamsburg Conservation Commission to work with the town’s Zoning Board of Appeals for its approval. Other minor changes include:
Design Alternative: For Sale
John C. Lepore
Design Alternative: Compromise