Nourishment for all seasons
Do you dream of harvesting your own fresh fruit, berries and vegetables?
I design 'pick any time' forage gardens by including an assortment of location appropriate shrubs, vines and trees that create lush, beautiful landscapes that feed you and your family while providing wildlife habitat and an attractive environment.
Low cost healthy fresh food just out your back door, fantastic!
I design 'pick any time' forage gardens by including an assortment of location appropriate shrubs, vines and trees that create lush, beautiful landscapes that feed you and your family while providing wildlife habitat and an attractive environment.
Low cost healthy fresh food just out your back door, fantastic!
Greetings from Olmec, the man behind the magic...
Details I have spent much of my life living and growing, immersed in the rural North Canterbury environment. During this time I have observed and studied natural systems, plant communities and interactions.
My approach to landscape and garden design is based on the power and potential for abundance found all around us.
Let me show you how...
My approach to landscape and garden design is based on the power and potential for abundance found all around us.
Let me show you how...
Smart gardens based on natural principals
Through careful plant selection and assembly you can have a highly productive garden that takes care of itself while feeding you, improving your immediate surroundings and boosting biodiversity.
Conscious design choices make a huge difference to the water requirements of a garden.
Conscious design choices make a huge difference to the water requirements of a garden.
- Working with gravity and contour to capture and distribute rain water
- Grey water recycling and reuse
- Drought proofing landscapes using simple, low-tech solutions
- Run-off and erosion prevention
Multi grafted fruit trees - Combine your favourite varieties on a single tree
Imagine a single tree with apples of many flavours, ripening from March to June, or combining apricots, plums and peaches.
A great way to save space and spread the yield over a longer harvest time.
While there is no limit to the number of different cultivars that can be supported from a single root system there are several considerations or complications that arise:
A great way to save space and spread the yield over a longer harvest time.
While there is no limit to the number of different cultivars that can be supported from a single root system there are several considerations or complications that arise:
- Differing growth rates can result in one type becoming overly dominant
- Each additional variety increases the complexity of pruning
Your situation and objectives are unique
So, how does it work?
Creating a personal eden takes time and vision and should be designed around the distinct characteristics of your site
Understanding your location and goals
- Initial remote landscape evaluation based on satellite imagery, digital mapping and local climate data
- Phone conversation to discuss and outline objectives, time line and budget
- Organise a site visit to assess existing plantings and observe local conditions (wind, sun, soil etc.)
- Determine available resources and assets such as water flows, mulch material, nutrient sources, shelter, buildings, machinery
Mapping, design and layout
Details
- Produce a digital site plan detailing the placement of the new foundation elements such as land shaping, irrigation, shelter and fencing
- Mapping of existing infrastructure and site features
- Plant species selection, quantities and placement
Implementation - From dream to reality
- Site preparation and layout
- Installation of any fixed infrastructure
- Adding plants and seeds
Ongoing and future maintenance, improvement and support
Living landscapes change over time and require ongoing attention and assessment.
- Managing and assisting the progression of the ecosystem with pruning and shaping
- Adding new fruit varieties to existing trees with grafting
Learn about foodscaping / food forest gardening
Develop an understanding of how to design and implement your own food forest garden with a one on one guided tour and discussion session.
- Explore the extensive, established forest garden at blockhill
- Learn identify, develop and exploit niches to grow a wider range of useful plants
- Discuss mixed and companion planted polycultures and guilds
- Understand plant succession for ecosystem transition and transformation
- Witness beneficial insects and extreme biodiversity
- Meet the chooks, ducks and pigs and see how they fit into the system
- Overview of useful hand tools
- Digital presentation / slideshow in bad weather
2 hours
$80.00
Projects, progress and examples of natural landscapes
Since 'discovering' the permaculture design process in 2010, I have been actively developing all year edible landscapes that capture and store their own water, cycles nutrient while (hopefully) standing up to the disruptions of climate change.
Run off swale for pigs and ducks
Details 6 years on - Basic land shaping to capture roof water from a nearby shed provides nutrient rich passive irrigation for food forest down slope while also creating enjoyable habitat for resident ducks and pigs. Plantings include water loving natives that offer wind and frost protection to climbing vines and citrus.
Diversity is key
Details This wild and and colourful 'garden' is packed with edible and beneficial plants, a completely different ecosystem from the boring grass monoculture that preceded it. Fruit and nut trees mix with annual crops arranged along raised log planting mounds that provide valuable water storage and nutrients.
Terracing and trees
Details 8 years on - Adding terraces to steep slopes reduces runoff keeping valuable water of site longer while also improving access for planting, maintenance and harvest. Trees can be more densely planted, stacked and over hanging one another for maximum productivity. This natural sun trap is the ideal location for a solar powered clothes dryer and a wonderful micro climate with excellent cold air drainage.
Sprawling forest garden in the making
Details 6 years on - Working from an open expanse of grass we are well on the way to a productive forest garden filled with interesting, edible and useful plants. The challenge here was getting wind shelter established, this has reduced moisture loss while contributing valuable biomass and soil improvement, shade and habitat for birds and insects.
Garage improvement - 3 years later
Details Secret swale at west end of workshop. Planted with bulbs, tagasaste for nitrogen and quick frost canopy over lemon and climbing kiwifruit. Ground cover of oregano and alpine strawberries.
Date August 24, 2015
Hiding the water tank
Details A great example of permaculture function stacking in action. First up we are taking advantage of the vertical sides and thermal mass of the water tank to grow frost tender perennials including citrus and kiwifruit. The vines and leaves help obscure the ugly tank and protect the plastic from UV radiation. Extra moisture is available from runoff and any overflow.