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Homesteading in Keene
CONTENTS Whole Systems Design Approach Context and History Context: Cultural History Context: Natural History Site Analysis: Overview Site Analysis: Detailed Preliminary Concepts Concept Development Final Design Design Spotlights Plant Palette Phasing, Establishment, and Maintenance
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Entry Number: B-18 Backyard Homestead Design Competition 21 Stanhope Avenue, Keene, NH September 3, 2013
WHOLE SYSTEMS DESIGN APPROACH PRIMARY GOALS AND STRATEGIES This project envisions the property at 21 Stanhope Avenue in Keene, New Hampshire as an educational homestead. Currently unoccupied, the home may either become a permanent residence or a rental unit for four people (two adults and two children). It may also serve as a learning laboratory for K-12 or visiting local university students. Primary goals for the site include: • Organic, sustainable landscaping and food production ideally meeting 50% of the residents’ needs based on an omnivorous diet • Outdoor living spaces for relaxation, entertainment, education, and play • Capture of on-site renewable resources Strategies guiding these goals include: • Minimizing the ecological impact of living on the site • Developing an aesthetic that both residents and neighbors find inviting, creating visual continuity in the neighborhood while inspiring conversation and experimentation • Using reclaimed materials, building the soils over time, and creating a long-term phasing plan for the landscape
Connecting with a Site’s History Through a site visit and extensive research, our group searched for the story of the site. What is its history? What used to grow here? Who used to live here? The answers to many of these questions are in fragments that we discovered throughout the landscape -- poles once used for a game of horseshoes, old apple trees once part of an orchard. As designers we hope to continue the story of the landscape, rather than viewing it as a blank slate.
DRIVERS Suburban sprawl, disconnection between people and nature Local environmental education programs (Antioch University, Keene State University, secondary schools, and non-profits)
DRIVERS Climate change, unreliable national economy Calls for food security, safety, and access
• • • •
Perennial Crops Polycultures Beneficial Insects Composting
• Active spaces for growing, playing and learning • Passive spaces for relaxing and dining
Sustainable Landscaping
DRIVERS Habitat fragmentation and degradation Need for beauty and order
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Outdoor Living
Organic Food Production
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• Native plants • Design connects people with ecosystems
A whole systems design approach incorporates communities, economies, and ecosystems into the design process. It takes into account global and local concerns related to the wellbeing of people and the health of the environment. This type of integration yields the most “sustainable” design solutions, because these solutions are grounded in research and analysis across multiple fields and scales.
CONTEXT AND HISTORY CONTEXT: LARGER COMMUNITY Keene is a small city in southwestern New Hampshire with approximately 23,400 residents. In addition to local schools Keene is home to two institutions of higher learning, Keene State College and Antioch University of New England. This service industry town has demonstrated interest in the arts (e.g., KSC Redfern Arts Center, Colonial Theater, etc.), and is also home to a developing agricultural movement (Farmers Market of Keene, Monadnock Coop, Land for Good, and numerous family farms). Keene is a burgeoning “hub for the hilltowns.” The presence of universities and interests in the arts and local food contribute to this position. Keene is also the seat of Cheshire County and is located at the convergence of state highways from nine directions, adding to its centrality. Keene’s location in an ancient lake bed surrounded by hills made it ideal for farming due to its fertile meadows. Industry followed, with the Ashuelot River providing water power for sawmills, gristmills, and tanneries. With the arrival of the railroad in 1848, Keene became a manufacturing center for woodenware, chairs, pottery, glass, soap, textiles, and other products. Keene’s agricultural and industrial past contribute to its present “quintessential New England” mill town feel. Its victorian architecture and courthouse square contribute to a tourism economy represented by a picturesque downtown.
Keene’s location at the intersection of state highways and roads
Expanding the local food movement has the potential to supply Keene residents with healthy and affordable food, and might diversify the tourism-centric economy. This idea is being embraced by organizations in Keene already, such as the Monadnock Farm and Community Coalition. The city of Keene is also playing a part: it plans to transform a landfill facility into a Combined Heat and Power Plant that will power a sustainable agriculture system. This design competition illustrates the role of one residential property in the burgeoning local food economy and sustainability movement. This project presents an opportunity to participate in and guide suburban development into the next generation.
Walking distances to popular destinations
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CONTEXT: CULTURAL HISTORY CONTEXT: NEIGHBORHOOD The neighborhood in which the property is located consists of a mixture old and new homes built as early as the 1920s. 21 Stanhope Avenue is a Sears Kit Home, similar to the symmetrical Starlight model, with two stories, a hipped roof, vinyl siding, multiple dormers, and a (now-enclosed) front porch. The proportion of the house to the lot is similar to other properties on the street. Stanhope is home to small houses, some of which are also kits, surrounded by wide expanses of grass. The zoning of the neighborhood (Low Density LD) has preserved the amount of open land. However, the recreational and agricultural value of this land is not being maximized for most properties. Another opportunity related to the home’s context is its close proximity to amenities (e.g., shops, a bowling alley) and recreational areas (Ladies Wildwood Park).
The bungalow home on this site is one of an ensemble of Sears kit houses on the street and now, as a homestead, could capitalize on and contribute to Keene’s picturesque appearance, growing food movement, and community-driven initiatives.
Dormers add character to the Sears kit home
A similar kit model
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CONTEXT: NATURAL HISTORY HYDROLOGY The property is in the Ashuelot River drainage basin, which travels from Washington through Keene to Hinsdale, where it discharges into the Connecticut River. The Ashuelot River drainage basin, as part of the Connecticut River Watershed, is part of the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge Act. This act (f.1991) seeks to conserve and improve the habitat of the Connecticut River watershed. Stanhope Avenue is located a mile away from the Ashuelot River. Therefore, capturing and treating stormwater on site has the potential to inspire other property owners to make similar efforts to improve the quality of the river.
CLIMATE Keene’s USDA hardiness zone 5a/5b (-20 to -15 F, -15 to -10 F). Average annual rainfall in Keene is 42.43�. The twentieth century witnessed an overall increase in temperature and precipitation, as presented by the University of New Hampshire AIRMAPs (Atmospheric Investigation, Regional Mapping, Analysis, and Prediction). Design should seek to increase the resilience of the property in preparation for rising temperatures and more frequent, erratic storms.
TENANT SWAMP
TENANT SWAMP
SHADOW LAKE
SITE
TENANT SWAMP WHEELOCK PARK
WILSON POND
LADIES WILDWOOD PARK
Nearby habitat nodes and corridors. Image Source: GoogleMaps.
HABITAT Although the city of Keene is thought of as a small town, it is highly developed. Low-density neighborhoods have fragmented habitat and increased runoff into the Ashuelot River. The current monoculture vegetation of the site (primarily lawn) does not contribute habitat to this local ecosystem. Diversifying the site with a wide range of plants has the potential to offer nectar sources, forage, cover, and food for wildlife. If each property in the neighborhood followed this trend, the neighborhood might become a corridor that connects existing habitat nodes and larger corridors.
SITE
Keene drains to the Connecticut River. Image Source: ctriver.ecs.umass.edu
SOILS Soil is quick-draining and fast-absorbing Caesar loamy sand. The first phase of design calls for soil testing.
Keene might fall within USDA hardiness zone 5a or 5b. Image Source: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.
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ASHUELOT RIVER CORRIDOR
SITE ANALYSIS: OVERVIEW
Soils are sandy and well-drained for much of the property, particularly towards the road
Towards the back of the property, soils are moist and likely acidified from decomposing white pine needles. The white pines cast shade over sedges and wet-loving ferns.
The area between the house and the pine grove is sunny and expansive. It currently lacks programming, and is maintained as a lawn grass.
Panoramic photo taken from location marked on map at left.
Existing apple trees are suitable candidates for grafting. The concrete pad and metal frame might be re-purposed.
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A large impervious parking area and walking path generate runoff and heat. The grassy area between the driveway and the back of house is not welcoming; the doorway at the front of the house lacks connection to the street and driveway and is likely unused.
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SITE ANALYSIS: DETAILED GENERAL The house takes up a small portion of the 0.8-acre property; there is room for potential food production and outdoor play/educational space. The house faces a narrow road without sidewalks. The lack of sidewalks hinders interaction between neighbors. Higher speed, frequent traffic occurs on the road on weekdays and weekends, likely related to the radio station at the end of the street. The design might explore ways to engage the community and encourage a dialogue. SUN EXPOSURE/ORIENTATION The house’s north-south orientation is not ideal for passive solar gain or active solar energy production. An addition, sited for passive gain, might permit the installation of solar panels and indoor year-round growing. A sunny patch of lawn is ideal for sun-loving crops. The white pines cast shade in the south of the property, where shade-tolerant crops might be grown. Refer to the solar pathfinder chart, which corresponds to the map, for more information. TOPOGRAPHY, WATER, AND DRAINAGE The land contains numerous slight variations in topography (likely resulting from the history of use as a go-kart track). Land slopes slightly toward the east, where a ditch runs towards the neighbor’s shed. There are no gutters on the house, nor is there an outdoor spigot. This presents an opportunity for rainwater harvesting for irrigation purposes. The property contains 3148 SF impervious cover, which covers only 7% of the site. Canopy trees with minimal understory cover 21% and lawn covers approximately 72% of the site. Infiltration can be improved by replacing turf with deeply-rooted plants. SOIL The site was used as a go-kart track, resulting in probable compaction. Soil on the site is loamy sand (Caesar loamy sand). pH ranges from extremely acid to moderately acid in the surface and subsoil layers. Crops will need supplemental soil building (compost) and irrigation. to improve water holding capacity and soil structure. Soil tests are recommended not only for pH and organic matter, but also for lead (particularly around the house) and petrochemicals.
SOLAR PATHFINDER READINGS Symbol on Map
Winter
Summer
+1
Full sun 9am2pm, Shaded in afternoon
Full sun 9am-6pm
+2
Full sun 8am-Noon, dappled onward noon onward
+3
Full sun 11am onward
+4
Shade until noon
Storm Drain
Particularly large driveway for a small home (high amount of impervious surface generates more runoff entering the storm drain)
Full sun 8am onward Particularly sandy soils and mostly bare ground with dry, brown vegetation and low points
SITUATION AND SETBACKS A chain link fence and trees define the property on two sides. The other two sides are open and exposed to neighbors, lacking definition. The front entrance is not connected with the driveway or sidewalk. The house lacks welcoming features along the road and driveway. The majority of the site lacks pathways and programming. Setbacks restrict new construction near the perimeter.
Invasive plant Identified near the house (bittersweet, Celastrus orbiculatus)
1747 SF
(Driveway, Path, Steps, Bulkhead) E
+1 Garage not structurally sound, but has a usable concrete base
348 SF 939 SF LOW
OPEN VIEWS LOW
ENTRANCES
Ditch (possible remnant of go-kart track; test for petrochemicals)
Horseshoes
144 SF
VEGETATION The lawn varies in plant species and vigor, containing strawberry, dandelion, yarrow, mosses, cinquefoil, and clover among others.
Pile of rocks (old well?)
Invasive Plant
The needles of the mature white pines acidify the soil underneath, and may be harvested as mulch. Ornamental plants include lilac, winged euonymus, and a row of yucca. These plants appear healthy but do not serve human or larger ecosystem needs. Three mature apple trees bear fruit on high branches. Some of their branches have rotted out, but the trees are suitable grafting candidates. It is advised that they be checked for chemicals (e.g., arsenic, lead).
+2
Gate in chain link fence to neighbor’s yard
Existing concrete pad with metal frame intact, candidate for reuse
Sunny area with sandy soils and slight changes in topography
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Circulation is limited to an asphalt walkway connecting the garage with the back door
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Shady pine grove with low points that contain plants adapted to moist and wet soils (sensitive fern, sedge)
+4
+3
PRELIMINARY CONCEPTS PROCESS DIAGRAM
Process Section
Grove with Shade Crops
Home with Root Cellar Bioshelter Social Space Intensive Production
NORTH
SOUTH
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CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT WATER CONSERVATION • The large driveway presents an opportunity to install permeable paving that permits water infiltration and decreases runoff into the watershed. • Rain gardens treat stormwater and greywater, while also offering food for birds and pollen/nectar for pollinators. • The roofs of the house and garage harvest rainwater into cisterns. • Green roof on the back provides an educational element to the property, extends the life of a new roof, and collects yet still more rainwater. SOCIAL SPACES • The garage is re-purposed as a crafting (or “maker”) shop. • The concrete pad becomes an outdoor kitchen for seasonal meals and outdoor parties.
Permeable paving and water collection Crafting space Root cellar Green roof
FOOD PRODUCTION/STORAGE • The north basement is retrofitted as a root cellar. • A mobile chicken coop provides eggs and meat. • Greenhouse increase year-round food production. • Perennial and annual crops fill the majority of the yard; removal of the white pines permits the growing of food to sustain the family of four. • The shady area towards the back of property presents opportunities for creating a woodland edibles zone with a nut grove.
Rain garden
Outdoor kitchen
Orchard/ chicken run Intensive food production (Cropland)
Nut grove, shade crops
Outdoor kitchen
Mobile chicken coop
Outdoor cobb oven
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FINAL DESIGN FRONT OF HOUSE
PRODUCTION ZONE
GROVE
Rice Paddies Blueberry and Pines
sh
elt er
Pollinator Meadow
Ra
ise
dB
ed
s
Bio
Nut Grove
Orchard
g
existing lilac surrounded by beach plums, rugosa rose, hazelnut, hazelburts, and seaberry for windbreak/ privacy hedge
n sti ve ar r h p) te ee wa ’ d ey (2 gr ond p
WINDBREAK
outdoor shower chicken run and insulated coop
GROVE
ORCHARD
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Coppicing Grove
DESIGN SPOTLIGHTS DRAINAGE
HABITAT
PATHWAYS AND THRESHOLDS
VERTICAL GROWING SPACE
Replacing existing asphalt with porous concrete or permeable pavers will increase infiltration, reduce runoff into city storm pipes, reduce the heat island effect, and improve appearance of this entrance to the site. image Source: left: tececo.com, right: good2golawncare.com.
Nesting blocks for pollinators will be artful and educational, and attract insects that are important for crop pollination. Image Source: Attracting Native Pollinators book (Xerces Society)
Clover is a nitrogen-fixing, drought-tolerant groundcover that enriches the soil and can form subtle pathways throughout the site. It requires much less maintenance compared with traditional lawn grass.
Construting a fence along the eastern border of the property adds vertical growing space for plants such as currents, peas, beans, grapes, and air potatoes. The fence could be artful, such as the one above constructed of black locust. Image Source: New England Wildflower Society. These plants can also be grown on meshes stretched along fences (see photo at right, image source: Nicole Nejad, The Denver Post).
Rain gardens increase infiltration and remove pollutants from stormwater. Species can include edibles as well. Image Source: www. catawbariverkeeper.org
Butterfly gardens contain perennials and grasses that bloom at different times of the year, offering visual appeal throughout the seasons and supporting butterflies and other insects.
Architectural elements, designed to echo the gables of the house, mark entrances into different zones of the property. Bioshelters offer a year-round passive solar growing climate and extended zone growing capabilities (Florida climate!). They may also serve as winter duck shelters and tool sheds. Image Source: http://www.imagiscape.ca/files/research/Inspired_Economies_ Sites/intelligibleecosystems/John_Todd/Dr_%20John%20 Todd%20-%20Ecological%20Design%20-%20EnviroEducation_ com%20-%20John%20Todd.htm
Although the primary purpose of the site is to maximize food production for people, incorporating plants such as Ilex verticillata and Myrica pensylvanica that increase infiltration in the rain garden have the potential to support birds. The diversity of tree heights on the property will also provide nesting habitat.
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PLANT PALETTE SALT-TOLERANT HEDGEROW/WINDBREAK (NORTHWESTERN CORNER OF PROPERTY) Symbol
Scientific Name Common Name Height/ Width
Rr
Rosa rugosa
Saltspray rose
Pm
Prunus maritima
Ca
Corylus americana
VERTICAL GROWING (ALONG FENCE)
Sun Exposure
Soil Condi- Water tions Needs
Bloom Time/ Color
Use
Symbol
Scientific Name Common Name
4-6’/4-6’
Full sun
Well-drained, Adaptable acidic
Summer/ white-pink
Edible fruits; hedge; salt tolerant
Vl
Vitus labrusca
Beach plum
6’/6’
Full sun
Well-drained Adaptable
Spring/white Edible fruit; hedge; salt tolerant
Ps
Pisum sativum var. macrocarpon
Hazelnut
8-20’/5-12’
Full sun to partial shade
Well-drained Moist
Early spring/ Edible nuts; windbreak red or yellow
Pp
Phaseolus polystachios Perennial wild bean
APPLE ORCHARD (CHICKEN RUN) Symbol
Scientific Name Common Name Height/ Width
Sun Exposure
Soil Condi- Water tions Needs
Bloom Time/ Color
Use
R
Rubus app.
Raspberry
Full to partial sun
Well-drained, Moist rich, sandy loam
Insignificant
Edible fruit
Am
Achillea millefolium
SxU Ca
Yarrow
8-24”/2-3’
Full sun
Well-drained Droughttolerant
Summer-fall/ Companion plant; varied visual appeal; pollinator plant
Symphytum x uplandi- Comfrey cum
3-4’/2-3’
Full sun to partial shade
Average
Average
May-June/ purple
Soil-builder; medicinal
Caragana arborescens Siberian pea shrub (dwarf)
6’/6’
Full sun
Adaptable
Droughttolerant
May/yellow
Soil-builder; edible peas
NUT GROVE (SOUTHERN PORTION OF PROPERTY) Symbol
Scientific Name Common Name Height/ Width
Sun Exposure
Soil Condi- Water tions Needs
Bloom Time/ Color
Use
Height/ Width
Sun Exposure
Soil Condi- Water tions Needs
Bloom Time/ Color
Use
Grapes
N/A (vine)
Full sun
Well-drained Dry to average
Insignificant
Edible fruits
Snow pea
N/A
Full sun to some shade
Average
Average
Insignificant
Edible peas
N/A (vine)
Sun to some shade
Average
Average
Insignificant
Edible beans
Soil Condi- Water tions Needs
Bloom Time/ Color
Use
Pollinator plant; visual appeal
POLLINATOR MEADOW (FRONT OF HOUSE) Symbol
Scientific Name Common Name Height/ Width
At
Asclepius tuberosa
Butterflyweed
18-24”/18-24” Full sun
Average
Droughttolerant
Summer/orange
Ac
Aster cordifolius
Blue wood aster
24-36”/36”
Partial shade to shade
Average
Dry to average
Early fall/light Pollinator plant; visual blue appeal
AtB
Amsonia tabernaemontana
Eastern bluestar
2-3’/2-3’
Full sun to partial shade
Average
Average
Spring/light blue
Ss
Schizachyrium scoparium
Little bluestem
2-4’/2-3’
Full sun
Average
Drought tolerant
Striking fall/ Nesting material; winter foliage visual appeal
RAISED BEDS (EAST OF HOUSE)
Sun Exposure
ADDITIONAL OPTIONS TO INTERPLANT THROUGHOUT PROPERTY
Symbol
Common Name
Scientific Name
Common Name
Sa
Salad Mix
Juglans ailantifolia
Heartnut
Ka
Kale
Juglans cinerea x ailantifolia
Buartnut
Cd
Castanea dentata
American Chestnut
75 x 50
Full to part sun
Acid
Dry to Moist N/A
Nut, Timber
Ra
Radish
Juglans nigra
Black Walnut
Jc
Juglans cinera
Butternut
50 x 50
Full
Alkaline
Moist
N/A
Nut, Timber
He
Assorted Herbs
Pinus koraiensis
Korean nut pine
Jn
Juglans nigra
Black Walnut
75 x 75
Full
Alkaline
Dry to Moist N/A
Nut, Timber
Carya ovata/ x hybrid
Pecan (northern hardy) or Hican
Pk
Pinas koraiensis
Korean Nut Pine
30 x 30
Full
Acid
Dry to Moist N/A
Nut. Timber
CROPS (MIDDLE OF PROPERTY)
SHADE EDIBLES/MEDICINALS (SOUTHWESTERN CORNER OF PROPERTY)
Eleagnus multiflora
Goumi
Symbol
Common Name
Gleditsia triacanthos
Honey locust
Sq
Winter Squash
Cersis canadensis
Redbud
To
Tomatoes
Asimina tiloba
pawpaw
Po
Potatoes
Cydonia oblonga
quince
Ga
Garlic
Diospyros virginiana
persimmon
Ka
Kale
Sambucus nigra
elderberry
Vibrnum opulus
Highbush cranberry/cramp bark
Vibrnum lentago
nannyberry
Asarum candense
wild ginger
Allim tricoccum
wild leek/ramp
Allium tuberosum
garlic chive
Erythonium spp.
trout lily
Trillium grandiflorum
white trillium
Lindera benzoin
spicebush
Phlox subulata
creeping phlox
Phyllostachis aureosulcata
Yellowgroove bamboo
Symbol
Scientific Name Common Name Height/ Width
Sun Exposure
Soil Condi- Water tions Needs
Bloom Time/ Color
Use
Hv
Hamamelis virginiana Witchazel
10-15’/15’
Full sun to partial shade
Well-drained Moist acidic
Fall/yellow
Medicinal
At
Allium tricoccum
Wild leek (ramps)
6”/1’
Full shade
Rich
N/A
Edible shoots/leaves
RxC
Ribes x culverwellii
Jostaberry
6’/6’
Partial shade to shade
Well-drained Moist
Insignificant
Companion plant for ramps; edible fruit
On
Onions
Ms
Matteuccia struthiopteris
Ostrich fern
2-4’/3-6’
Sun to shade
Average
Edible fiddleheads
Le
Leeks
Be
Beets
Ca
Carrots
Ca
Cabbage
Pe
Peppers
Ch
Chard
Moist
Moist to wet N/A
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Pollinator plant; visual appeal
PHASING, ESTABLISHMENT AND MAINTENANCE PHASING
ESTABLISHMENT AND MAINTENANCE STRATEGIES
PHASE 1 • Completing thorough soil tests is highly recommended before proceeding into implementation. Underground utilities should also be flagged. The design should be adapted according to findings from these processes. • Soil building and Earthworks (see establishment strategies for details). • Installing edibles in Phase 1 should focus on both near and long-term goals. Fruit and nut-producing trees should be installed sooner in order to yield food in the near future. For establishment we reccomend • Trees in the windbreak area should also be installed. At the same time, some raised beds could be installed near the house and towards the northern area of the cropland. • Installing the chicken coop and planting under the apple orchard (the chicken run) will provide residents with protein. • If installed in this phase, the outdoor kitchen will permit the processing of harvested food. • A water collection system will provide water for plant establishment (rain barrels, irrigation pipe, hose, cistern) • Two compost stations should be installed to begin building soils.
General Best Practices Due to compacted soils and low organic matter we reccommend to first keyline or chisel plow the entire site to break up hardpan without disurbing the soil structure. For areas with established root zones we recommend broadforking outside the root zone.
PHASE 2 • Plant the entire cropland intensively, filling the space. • The outdoor patio area will also be installed, offering entertainment space. • A garden at the front of the house increases the curb appeal and welcomes guests. • The windbreak will be fleshed out with the addition of a shrub layer. • Installing and planting along the fence will expand growing space, and adding bees to the site will aid pollination of the crops. PHASE 3 • Installing an interpretive sign at the entrance to the driveway will educate neighbors, visitors, and passersby of the many functions of the landscape. • This property may one day transition into a laboratory for local schools and/or universities, offering classroom space (indoor and out) or housing for students interested in agriculture. • The garage might transition into a community resource in the form of a teaching kitchen or produce/goods shop.
Managing the property sustainably over time relies on core best maintenance practices: • Soil Building: planting crops that add nutrients to soil over time will reduce the need for outside fertilizers. These plants have been incorporated into the design. • Mulching: mulching conserves water in the soil and suppresses weeds. Adding 2” of mulch to planted areas once or twice a year is ideal. Use seasoned wood chips, ideally created on site from chipping the pine trees. • Composting: create a multi-chambered compost area and add leaves, twigs, and appropriate food scraps. Apply compost to beds to build the soils and maintain plant vigor. Orchard/ Nut Grove For establishing new trees, spot sheet mulch each tree and plant understory. Use tree guards to protect young trees from voles, moles and other species. During first year water the equivalent of 1” a week (minus rainfall amount). During winter prune any damaged, dead branches as well as pruning for access and circulation and best fruit set. Once plantings are established you can rotate the flock of chickens through. If you want to rotate chickens through before establishment use hardware cloth or cattle panels to protect each planting. Solar flexinut fencing can be used to easily create and then rotate focused paddics. Chickens will add fertilizer and provide pest control. This is especially helpful to clean up after fruit has dropped. The trees will provide chickens with protection from air bone predators and provide shade during the hot summer months. By clustering the chickens with the fruit trees you maximize the relationship between the two elements and minimize your efforts. Many of the trees selected for the nut grove also could provide building materials and firewood. For plantings that favor potentially as a building material space plantings closer together to encourage straight growth. Plants will still provide nuts as well. STANHOPE
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Sheet mulching builds the soil
Compost/leaf mulch bins
Pond/ Rice Paddy Any earthworks (with machinery) should be done first and all at once. This will be more cost effective and minimize both compaction and the chance of disturbing new plantings. The soil dug out for the pond and paddy can be used in raising the grade on the production garden. Depending on the clay content of the soil you make need to line the pond. We recommend using a fish and plant safe HDPE liner and adding “shelves” inside the pond for fish and plant. habitat. Add water plants and fish for proper aquaculture beelines and mosquito control. Overflow should be directed to near by plantings. Each year rice can be started from seed in cold frames/ greenhouse and planted out. Saving your own seed is recommended. Once seed heads are established net crop to prevent birds from eating the seeds Rice can be dried in attic and processed in small batches by hand. Prodution Garden After keyline or chisel plowing we recommend adjusting the grade and laying out 4’ beds on contour with 1.5” foot paths, add any soil amendments and sheet mulch. Sheet mulching the beds will kill the grass, add organic matter, slow release moisture and prevent weeds. White clover can be seeded into the paths to provide a low growing nitrogen fixing groundcover. Sheet mulching is best done in a large “permablitz” or work party. You can use this gathering to connect with other groups in the area and educate about the project. We recommend using the french biointensive method to maximize food production. A chicken tractor can be used on the intensive beds before and after crops to add fertility and clear beds.