My Little Garden Final Maps
In the pictures below you can see the site design map. I have added colour layers to recognise different parts of the site, which are:
-Central Path -Aquaculture
-Pipe cover -Spiral
-Corner path -Recreation area
-Other paths -Medicinal wheel
There is also a purple area that shows the space that I didn't build on, because it was already shaped into terraces by the last volunteer that took care of the site.
The measurements are approximate and I have taken them at the end of the implementation.
The circles with numbers correspond to a plant list (see below).
-Central Path -Aquaculture
-Pipe cover -Spiral
-Corner path -Recreation area
-Other paths -Medicinal wheel
There is also a purple area that shows the space that I didn't build on, because it was already shaped into terraces by the last volunteer that took care of the site.
The measurements are approximate and I have taken them at the end of the implementation.
The circles with numbers correspond to a plant list (see below).
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- You can see the building process pictures by clicking (here).
First steps
To catch and store as much sun light as possible and for more hours, I have deep pruned the mango trees in the site to reduce the shade from the dense canopy that this was providing.
Access and terrace distribution
I first started designing a central path and I located different entrances to be more practical to walk though the site.
Then I placed some entrances into the site and I played around shaping other paths that connect to the centre. This way I'll be able to reach the entire growing area (see layer map above). I have used the spaces between the paths to create the garden beds, and following the contour lines I have built up the little terraces. To build the terraces and paths I have used different materials like bamboo, wood and rocks. This way I have created diversity of conditions at the different beds, and after to compare the benefits and constrains of each one. |
Living in a community there are always good opportunities to get very valuable materials that other people can see as "waste". Many of the materials like the wood to build some of the path and terraces, are recycled from several houses and projects.
So as you can see in the below left picture, to start to build the central path I have placed stakes at different points and I have used these to set the walls made with bamboo.
Because in the middle of the site there is a water source, I have searched and uncovered the pipeline to avoid accidentally breaking it.
So as you can see in the below left picture, to start to build the central path I have placed stakes at different points and I have used these to set the walls made with bamboo.
Because in the middle of the site there is a water source, I have searched and uncovered the pipeline to avoid accidentally breaking it.
As I was defining the centre path, at the same time I was putting on it a layer of fabric and on top another layer of gravel, to create a weed proof solid floor (the fabric stops the gravel from penetrating into the soil). This way I began to create the main space through which I could move comfortable and develop the rest of the site.
Also through the central path building process, following the contour lines I was recognising and creating some of the beds, and mulching on top prevent weed growth. And so on until the main path was finished.
Nabajo medicinal wheel
As you can see in the pictures above, while the main path was been implemented, I was creating the Navajo medicinal wheel.
The Navajo Medicine Wheel is a powerful energy healing source that strengthens and harmonizes all beings that are nearby. The Navajo Indians have long practised this system of healing culture.
Plants and materials used at the preparation process follow a ritual in which participants express their willingness to join in the evolution of the cosmos. This act aims to benefit all community members.
Before preparing the ground and plant the species that form the wheel, I must choose the right place that has the radiation energy equal in all directions. It should be located in the middle of the site to reach as much space as possible.
It is best to use healing plants inside the wheel that will provide the necessary energy power to maintain harmony in the environment around. Moreover it will be useful to add powerful minerals, for example rose quartz, which amplify the flow of energy radiating out to the plants.
The Navajo Medicine Wheel is a powerful energy healing source that strengthens and harmonizes all beings that are nearby. The Navajo Indians have long practised this system of healing culture.
Plants and materials used at the preparation process follow a ritual in which participants express their willingness to join in the evolution of the cosmos. This act aims to benefit all community members.
Before preparing the ground and plant the species that form the wheel, I must choose the right place that has the radiation energy equal in all directions. It should be located in the middle of the site to reach as much space as possible.
It is best to use healing plants inside the wheel that will provide the necessary energy power to maintain harmony in the environment around. Moreover it will be useful to add powerful minerals, for example rose quartz, which amplify the flow of energy radiating out to the plants.
The energy is expanded onto two levels: one organic and one symbolic.
The outer circle symbolizes the beginning and end of every process, and summarizes the dynamics of creation and destruction of the universe. The spokes symbolize the dialectical relationship that exist between the whole and its parts: growth and plant life, the force that unites earth with heaven, the energy channels that hold the universe and the inner world to the plants. The four spokes symbolize the four directions and the four stages of plant life (and ultimately, all beings in the universe). Thus the North corresponds to the seed germination, the east with the root system, the south by the growing plant and the West with the fruits. They also represent the four elements of matter (fire, water, earth and air) and the four seasons (spring, summer, autumn, winter). When I trace them, I must strive to be as accurate as possible and well shaped, otherwise it will be confusing and energy will not be delivered successfully. The central axis of the wheel is what unites and gives meaning to the garden life. It represents the ultimate meaning of the universe: an energy common to all beings that inhabit it. Extracted and translated from: Vegetalia.com |
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Building
As you can see on the slide show on the right above, I have started marking the circle, and I did it on top of the water pipe to multifunctionally minimise the accidents by soil perforation when planting plants. (See it's location at the layer map above).
As I did with the path I have placed a layer of fabric with gravel on top, using different rock colours to define the cross.
I put sage into the wheel as a healing plants, and on the middle a nice rock full of crystals (that looks energetic to me) that I found in a hot spring.
As you can see on the slide show on the right above, I have started marking the circle, and I did it on top of the water pipe to multifunctionally minimise the accidents by soil perforation when planting plants. (See it's location at the layer map above).
As I did with the path I have placed a layer of fabric with gravel on top, using different rock colours to define the cross.
I put sage into the wheel as a healing plants, and on the middle a nice rock full of crystals (that looks energetic to me) that I found in a hot spring.
Other access and beds
Below you can see pictures of how I have created two of the adjacent paths, and a small group of terraces with spiral shape.
On the left slideshow you can see the construction of a path of one of the corners, leading from the garden centre towards the outside.
The pictures in the middle are from a path that I located on top of the water pipe to minimise damage, as in the future other people will take care of the site and can break the pipe by accident.
And in the right slideshow is a spiral that was created following the contour lines around the tree. That gave me a lot of diversity to create different micro-climates in a small area.
On the left slideshow you can see the construction of a path of one of the corners, leading from the garden centre towards the outside.
The pictures in the middle are from a path that I located on top of the water pipe to minimise damage, as in the future other people will take care of the site and can break the pipe by accident.
And in the right slideshow is a spiral that was created following the contour lines around the tree. That gave me a lot of diversity to create different micro-climates in a small area.
Corner Path |
Pipe cover |
Spiral |
(See their location at the layer map above).
Recreation area
In the highest part of the garden I have set a small recreation area with a little bench to chill and observe the garden, and because is one of the highest point into the site there are the best views.
I feel that this way I'm welcoming at the visitors and volunteers to go into the site to enjoy the place, and relax just by observing all around them.
I spend hours in this space observing the changes of the garden at my free time or just by taking my morning's coffee. (See it's location at the layer map above).
I feel that this way I'm welcoming at the visitors and volunteers to go into the site to enjoy the place, and relax just by observing all around them.
I spend hours in this space observing the changes of the garden at my free time or just by taking my morning's coffee. (See it's location at the layer map above).
Mini acuaculture project
Design for Diversity
Near the entrance I have located a small aquifer to attract animals to drink fresh and clean water, this way I'm generating more diverse animal interaction into the site. (See it's location at the layer map above).
Apart from beauty, bellow are written different principles that have inspired me to make a little aquifer:
Near the entrance I have located a small aquifer to attract animals to drink fresh and clean water, this way I'm generating more diverse animal interaction into the site. (See it's location at the layer map above).
Apart from beauty, bellow are written different principles that have inspired me to make a little aquifer:
Planting
One time I've done the hard work, I've started to design the distribution of the elements I wanted to grow on the site.
I thought a lot about which micro-climate was more appropriate to each plant or vegetable. I tried to find spots to meet the plants needs, considering sun light hours, moisture, companion planting or growing space boundaries.
I thought a lot about which micro-climate was more appropriate to each plant or vegetable. I tried to find spots to meet the plants needs, considering sun light hours, moisture, companion planting or growing space boundaries.
The vegetables or cooking plants are located around the paths to make maintenance and harvesting more easy, and instead in the more inaccessible spots I placed the ornamental or perennial plants.
Around the edge of the garden we can find diversity of plants with different functions, some being windbreak, pest control or ornamental. |
For example to repel unwanted insects, I placed chilli and aromatic herbs around the external edges.
I used grass covers like pinto peanut or clove to stop the weed invasions.
In the pictures above you can see a list of the total plants species in the garden after it was finished. And in the right picture I wrote the number that relates to each plant in the map location.
To see pictures of some of the garden plans click (here).
I used grass covers like pinto peanut or clove to stop the weed invasions.
In the pictures above you can see a list of the total plants species in the garden after it was finished. And in the right picture I wrote the number that relates to each plant in the map location.
To see pictures of some of the garden plans click (here).
Using Biodynamic Agriculture
In common with other forms of organic agriculture, biodynamic agriculture uses management practices that "restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony. Central features include crop diversification, the avoidance of chemical soil treatments and off-farm inputs generally, decentralized production and distribution, and the consideration of celestial and terrestrial influences on biological organisms.
Biodynamic farmers seek to integrate soil, crops, animals, and society as interdependent parts of a holistically conceived and self-sustaining ecological entity.
Important features include the use of livestock manures to sustain plant growth (recycling of nutrients), maintenance and improvement of soil quality, and the health and well being of crops and animals. Cover crops, green manures and crop rotations are used extensively and the farms foster the bio-diversity of plant, insect, bird, and other animal life. They also work to enhance the biological cycles and the biological activity of the soil.
In common with other forms of organic agriculture, biodynamic agriculture uses management practices that "restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony. Central features include crop diversification, the avoidance of chemical soil treatments and off-farm inputs generally, decentralized production and distribution, and the consideration of celestial and terrestrial influences on biological organisms.
Biodynamic farmers seek to integrate soil, crops, animals, and society as interdependent parts of a holistically conceived and self-sustaining ecological entity.
Important features include the use of livestock manures to sustain plant growth (recycling of nutrients), maintenance and improvement of soil quality, and the health and well being of crops and animals. Cover crops, green manures and crop rotations are used extensively and the farms foster the bio-diversity of plant, insect, bird, and other animal life. They also work to enhance the biological cycles and the biological activity of the soil.
BD farming practices have been found to be more resilient to environmental challenges, to foster diverse biosphere, and to be more energy efficient, factors of increasing importance in the face of climate change, energy scarcity and population growth.
The light of the sun, moon, planets, and stars reaches the plants in regular rhythms. Each one contributes to the life, growth, and form of the plants.
For this project I used the Maria Thun
calendar
By understanding the gesture and effect of each particular rhythm, we can time our sowing, cultivating, and harvesting to the advantage of the crops we are raising.
It has even been found that the moon acts as a kind of gate as it passes in front of the twelve constellations of the zodiac, opening the way for specific influences which strengthen either the root, leaf, flower or fruit of plants which are sown and cultivated then.
The most notable research in this field has been done for decades by a German farmer named Maria Thun, who publishes an agricultural calendar. In America, the Stella Natura calendar makes these rhythms available, with practical advice for gardeners and farmers.
Partially extracted from Maria Thun Calendar.
It has even been found that the moon acts as a kind of gate as it passes in front of the twelve constellations of the zodiac, opening the way for specific influences which strengthen either the root, leaf, flower or fruit of plants which are sown and cultivated then.
The most notable research in this field has been done for decades by a German farmer named Maria Thun, who publishes an agricultural calendar. In America, the Stella Natura calendar makes these rhythms available, with practical advice for gardeners and farmers.
Partially extracted from Maria Thun Calendar.
To go to the Maintenance, Evaluation & Tweaks page click (here).