Only while observing the development of the garden, as the plan is implemented, can I learn something about designing…
I decided to start with the main part of the annual beds in the area closest to the house. I had already identified a poorer more sandy soil there…but had rated it as a better option due to the close zoning to the house and outdoor kitchen, as well as the rainwater supply. We would just sheet mulch and add a load of organic matter as we did it.
I also made two beds for annuals further down the garden where the soil was a dark rich loam. There i just placed a pallet-frame to create a small raised bed and filled with well aged garden compost. The sunflowers particularly grew huge and were the best seed producers of the whole garden. However the maize, cucumber, beetroots, beans, celeri I had planted close to the house…didn’t give a great yield of vegetables.
On a short tenure project…when the aim was reducing our need to buy food from supermarkets (as well as increasing the biodiversity and health of the eco-system) Maybe we should have placed our annuals where they would have been happier that first year – in a dark rich soil which was also more moist…
Was not looking at the “whole” when I made this decision. Time to tweak..
Permaculture Learning 