This document describes our current design rationale and the Permaculture Design principles used

The current design

Flowers and fruit

This area was previously a lawn and is very compacted and unsuitable for vegetable growing. Instead we have planted trees (fruit and nut) and flowers. In winter we sow a cover crop of daikon radish (decompaction), vetch and phacelia for enrichment. The flowers are a mix of wild flowers for pollinators, and cultivated flowers for beauty and sharing. The fruit is a variety of heirloom apples, pears, plums, hazel, and cherry.

Permaculture principles involved

• Observe and Interact: we observed in the first year that attempts to grow vegetables in this spot failed. The soil was too compacted, there was a proliferation of wire worm probably because it was a lawn previously (and they love grass roots), and most likely there was a reside of herbicide the previous owner would have used to control weeds.
• Obtain a Yield: flowers are an above ground crop so less likely to have issues with the above.
• Use and Value Diversity: flowers will enhance the place and offer diversity
• Creatively Use and Respond to Change: we realised vegetables wouldn“t grow to responded by trying flowers. We also planted fruit and nut trees, and a grape we will trellis up some poles we have erected.

Pond

To store water from the roof of the house for bio-diversity and vegetables. Its position at the top of the slope serves to hydrate the area. A shallow drain leads eastwards to hydrate the berries and vegetable patch.

Permaculture principles involved

• Catch and store energy: captures and stores the water from the house roof instead of it going to a drain. The stored water could potentially be used for irrigation.
• Use and Value Diversity: a pond attracts a diverse variety of insects, amphibians, wildlife, etc.
• Use Edges and Value the Marginal: the transition between water and land is one of the most productive part of a permaculture system.

Basket willows

These will grow on a swale to the north of the solar panels. We will divert the water from the roof of the barn into this swale. We will coppice these willows to make baskets. This will be a modest income stream.

Permaculture principles involved

• Catch and Store Energy: willows are nature“s sponge, their extensive root system is exceptionally good at absorbing and retaining water
• Obtain a Yield: the willows will be coppiced to produce rods for weaving and basket making. We will sell the baskets and the rods, and host weaving weekend workshops.
• Integrate Rather than Segregate: We will use the willows as a living hedge to give protection to crops and to support insect and bird habitats.
• Use Small and Slow Solutions: They will be coppiced on a regular basis

Swales

Trap water and hydrate the soil. The soil type is loam above a gravel base (probably an esker) and while the loam will store water, the gravel base will not so the area will need continuous hydration.

Permaculture principles involved

• Catch and Store Energy
• Integrate Rather than Segregate

Compost

At the top of the hill so that any nutrients that leach will enrich the growing areas below. We have a few composting methods:

• Compost tumbler: link for all kitchen waste
• Johnson-Su bio reactor: link for garden waste
• Compost bin: link with the door and top replaced with wire mesh to improve airflow. Used for small garden waste
• Worm bin: link - for kitchen and plant waste.

Permaculture principles involved

• Catch and Store Energy
• Produce No Waste

Vegetables

The vegetable beds are a series of 10m x 0.8m beds for the growing of summer veg. Between each bed is a path, or alley. This allows access to the beds and is 0.5m wide and is wide enough for buckets, our propagation trays and for two peopl to pass each other.

Permaculture principles involved

• Obtain a Yield
• Use and Value Diversity

Tunnel

This is a must for the wet and windy Irish climate. The polytunnel allows us to grow a diversity of vegetables. We started with a manageable (and affordable) size of 10m x 4.5m. We have room for a second one if needs be.

Permaculture principles involved

• Catch and Store Energy
• Obtain a Yield
• Creatively Use and Respond to Change

Berries

our dedicated berry house.

Permaculture principles involved

• Obtain a Yield
• Use and Value Diversity

Firepit

For fun

Permaculture principles involved

• Apply Self-Regulation and Accept Feedback
• Creatively Use and Respond to Change

Pizza

A cob pizza oven for yum.

Permaculture principles involved

• Apply Self-Regulation and Accept Feedback
• Creatively Use and Respond to Change

Geodesic dome

Surrounded by more fruit and nut trees – the trees will give privacy to the dome for sleeping (glamping) or gathering. Domes are very efficient at catching the suns energy

Permaculture principles involved

• Catch and Store Energy
• Obtain a Yield

Potatoes

we have a number of people interested in growing spuds – this is for them

Permaculture principles involved

• Obtain a Yield
• Integrate Rather than Segregate

Solar

Solar panels supplying the house, charging our electric car, with excess going to the grid. We charge our battery during off-peak times, and at midday when the light is strongest. This pretty well supplies all our needs keeping our energy bills to the minimum.

Permaculture principles involved

• Catch and Store Energy
• Use and Value Renewable Resources and Services

Forest

New native broadleaf forest (4.74 Ha) to offset our remaining carbon footprint and to be a sustainable source of timber in the future. It will be predominately 80% pedunculate oak with 20% of other broadleaves, including Cherry, Rowan, Downy Birch, Hazel, Beech, Silver Birch, Alder and Sweet Chestnut. Small groups of maybe 10 trees of Cherry, Hazel, and Birch throughout the Oak. The alder will be used around the wetter area with the willow. We will create a mixture of trees, about 4 to 5 lines around the edge of the plantation.

Permaculture principles involved

• Obtain a Yield
• Catch and Store Energy
• Use and Value Renewable Resources and Services

Wildlife pond

Not shown is a large pond we have dug together with a few small ones to improve bio-diversity. These are at the lowest part of the farm ensuring we trap any runoff before it reaches the drains along the boundary.

Permaculture principles involved

• Catch and store energy: captures and stores runoff water, and anything else, the stored water could potentially be used for irrigation
• Use and Value Diversity: a pond attracts a diverse variety of insects, amphibians, wildlife, etc.
• Use Edges and Value the Marginal: the transition between water and land is one of the most productive part of a permaculture system. The pond is kidney shaped to maximise the edge length
• Produce No Waste: by capturing runoff the pond reduces the amount of nitrates flowing into the streams, rivers, lakes, and ocean

Studio

where we hold our workshops.

Production Willows

Also not shown. At the lowest and wettest part of the forest we will plant five different species of willow, four for basket making and one for fuel.

• Salix cinerea (Grey willow) A native willow, also known as sallow, that is highly valued for its nectar production for pollinators. It can be found in wetter areas and can hybridise with S. caprea. Good for basketry.
• Salix caprea (Goat willow) A native tree with broad, oval leaves, known for being a pioneer species in disturbed areas and a food source for wildlife. Good for fuel and crafts, not good for weaving (breaks to easy)
• Salix Chermesina (Scarlet willow) A cultivar of Salix alba, this is a fast-growing tree with vibrant scarlet winter stems that are used for decoration and basketry.
• Salix Daphnoides (Violet willow) A fast-growing willow known for its purple-red stems in the early spring, which are popular for basketry and are also valuable to wildlife.
• Salix Viminalis (Osier) A willow grown for its long, flexible shoots, which are traditionally used for basketry and more recently for biomass production.