Petra and Rickard moved to Karlshamn a year ago. They have 3 kids ages 9, 11, and 13. They feel like they work too much and need a garden that feels like a peaceful retreat. Although keen to learn, they haven't got a lot of gardening experience and time is an issue. They only have a few hours a week for working in the garden. A permaculture design sounds like the perfect solution! By focusing on low-maintenance perennial trees, shrubs, and herbs, the family can enjoy nuts and fruit, and grow food for their vegetarian and mediterranean cuisine. The kids are already excited about growing smultron and blueberries. I think they would find mushroom logs very interesting, and the family would benefit from a sustainable source of protein grown right in their own yard.
The first step is creating a design that maximizes their urban property while also planning for the most efficient use of their time and resources. A design can represent many small projects to work on over time, rather that trying to achieve everything all at once. A design can provide inspiration in the early phases when a garden is still taking shape, and helps ensure that all the little projects will work well together.
A good design will start with access paths and water. Well-planned paths will reduce the number of steps you need to take to get a job done. Harvesting rainwater will reduce stress on city water and is much easier that wrestling with the garden hose or carrying heavy watering cans.
We need to consider winter and summer sun; and how to place plants so that trees don't shade shrubs, and shrubs don't shade herbs. Many other issues must be considered: aesthetics, reducing pests such as slugs and snails, and improving drainage around the house.
It is a lot of fun work, and very exciting to see what this dream garden can become with just a little effort every year. Here is the dream design. This year we will focus on the sunny side of the garden, facing the street. A permablitz is planned to get a really fast start to this garden retreat!
The first step is creating a design that maximizes their urban property while also planning for the most efficient use of their time and resources. A design can represent many small projects to work on over time, rather that trying to achieve everything all at once. A design can provide inspiration in the early phases when a garden is still taking shape, and helps ensure that all the little projects will work well together.
A good design will start with access paths and water. Well-planned paths will reduce the number of steps you need to take to get a job done. Harvesting rainwater will reduce stress on city water and is much easier that wrestling with the garden hose or carrying heavy watering cans.
We need to consider winter and summer sun; and how to place plants so that trees don't shade shrubs, and shrubs don't shade herbs. Many other issues must be considered: aesthetics, reducing pests such as slugs and snails, and improving drainage around the house.
It is a lot of fun work, and very exciting to see what this dream garden can become with just a little effort every year. Here is the dream design. This year we will focus on the sunny side of the garden, facing the street. A permablitz is planned to get a really fast start to this garden retreat!