Sector analysis
The site is been improved as a food garden from the last two years, during this time it's been plowed and heavy organically fertilized. The teacher that was previously in charge has always been very conscious on not to use any kind of chemicals and want to remain it so.
The garden is facing south-east and because of that it have a lot more hours of direct light. Thanks to the school building the north east is the only face protected from winds, and the other sides are practically unprotected.
At the map up right we can see depicted with blue arrows the strong winds flow, and with yellow ones the direction of the sun light.
Also the green arrows shows us the street view side. There are big wind storms in every season of the year that comes from north , so I think is a good idea to provide wind breaks to prevent soil and plants from drying. To do this I can put climbers around the edge which climb the fence and cover how much more vertical surface on this side is possible. Being on the north side will not intervene in the passage of sunlight. |
This last side have a quite importance in terms of aesthetics views, and is from where most of the parents and visitors will see the garden.
Access
I think is good to leave a space to receive the students just after cross the main door, where from there they have enough space to receive and stay fifteen kids in once. This way from there they will have easy access to all the garden areas.
I need to design thinking that one of the kids in the school go in wheelchair, and need access to as much places as possible. I'll need to make some of the paths wide enough to facilitate her movement through the garden. The site have water supply and I want to design a system in which can be easy to water all the garden even with a hose if it's necessary. |
I will focus in the entrance point and the water supply as a reference points to create a paths net, leading to see from the entrance as much garden beds is possible and at the same time have an easy water access.
The garden also have a economic entrance from the school and I have access to use it to buy tools, building materials for the beds, the planter, seeds and a compost bin. Also has a possible economic output by selling some garden products, that can be re-invest to buy more materials or elements that will be needed next year.
Not having very large economic costs along the year, with this little input and output of money is create a cycle that make a financially self-sufficient system.
The garden also have a economic entrance from the school and I have access to use it to buy tools, building materials for the beds, the planter, seeds and a compost bin. Also has a possible economic output by selling some garden products, that can be re-invest to buy more materials or elements that will be needed next year.
Not having very large economic costs along the year, with this little input and output of money is create a cycle that make a financially self-sufficient system.
Soil test
The soil quality is quite good as it was brought from abroad especially for cultivation. Also it's been added large amounts of manure from the safari park located near by.
As a site indicator we can see the nettle that covers the entire site, that show us that the soil is very fertile and slightly acidic.
Kids can do fun activities in chemistry doing a soil PH test, with vinegar and baking soda technique.
Also with the hand and jar test we can introduce physics and geology, to better understand the soil structure.
As a site indicator we can see the nettle that covers the entire site, that show us that the soil is very fertile and slightly acidic.
Kids can do fun activities in chemistry doing a soil PH test, with vinegar and baking soda technique.
Also with the hand and jar test we can introduce physics and geology, to better understand the soil structure.
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Systems into Systems
Interactions
At the picture below I have represented the garden as a system and some of the interactions that have with elements of other systems. There is also represented the margins that define every system, that in a permaculture way we could call as well as the Zones.
Earth care
People care
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- Parents could help with the garden maintenance. Can be create a committee to organize them-selves and be able to be successful in a self-sufficient and self-managed way. It's a good opportunity for parents to know and feel part of what's going on at the school.
Fair share
- The output garden products can be sell to parents and use the money to fund the next year garden expenses.
- Swap seeds with other school gardens is a good way to improve diversity, and to grow a network with good relation ships between each other, promoting cooperation and partnership.