Site survey

SITE DETAILS Dimensions

See base map. Core area at back approx 14 x 14m (from pergola) Patio area approx 6m x 14m

Overview

Residential garden in Shropshire town. Fairly square in shape, with a back garden, walkway between the front and back that has been fitted with disabled access. Front garden smaller, on a slope. Surrounded on all sides by different shrubs and hedges. Lady who lived there before client was fond of plants and had some ornamental borders in place, with many bulbous plants coming up to flower. None of significance at present, residential dwelling.

History

Land use restrictions LAND FORM Topography Slope

Residential garden, three different levels street down to house, flat house and then small slope to core garden area. Back garden there is a slope from the patio area down to the core garden area, see pictures. See base map. Back garden receives a lot of sunlight due to its SE orientation.

Orientation & Aspect

Altitude

Approx 194m (high street)

STRUCTURES House

Two-bedroom semi-detached ex-council house. Large surface area in the back for potential climbers None at present. Potential extension (3m x length of living room). Potential potting shed/greenhouse in front garden.

Outbuildings

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Walls & fences

Low fence at the bottom. All sides surrounded by various hedges (see photographs and base map).

Other constructions Conditions of structures BOUNDARIES Outside views

Pergola in middle. Railings for disabled rank. Fine/good condition.

Surrounded by viewing eyes all around! Flats to the east look on to the garden, garden at the bottom is an elderly woman who can see into the garden but doesnt use her garden terribly often. People to the west are a little more restricted in what they can see. Many supermarket visitors and passerbys can see front garden. To the east is also a public footpath where people are commonly walking, dogs also urinating to the edges! Stunning views to surrounding Shropshire hills that certainly do not want to be screened. Can also see neighbors garden at the bottom and surrounding houses.

Views to outside

Neighboring activities Other externalities Interactions

Gardening, elderly woman at the bottom and her cats. Not a particularly loud area, no anti social behavior or disturbances. None. Family relationships, potential professional interactive relationships with garden if clients practice develops further.

Other

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PLANT COMMUNITIES Self-willed See photos. plants Eastern corner: Forget me knots, dandelions, yellow poppies, grape hyacinths, cleavers, grass, hedge garlic SW corner: Holly, Stags horn sumac, dandelions, celandine, creeping susan, Bluebells Various shrubs (see photos identification tbc). Cultivated species Roses over pergola Daffodils Other species may have been planted by previous owners ornamental thistles etc. See link on NHM database: http://www.nhm.ac.uk/fff-pcp/glob.pl?report=pcfllist&group=&sort=& inpostcode=SY6+ Notable species include: Cornflower Eyebright Stinking chamomile Great mullein Hops Honeysuckle Orchids (various) Ramsons Agrimony Bugle Common dog violet Cowslips Meadowsweet Mountain pansy Primroses Salad burnet Violets (various) Tansy Sneezewort Wild Strawberry Yarrow

Native species

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Willows (various include. Almond, goat, grey) Guelder rose Hawthorn Hazel Holly Dogwood Crab apple Buckthorn Spindle Wild privet Yew Small leaved lime Wild Cherry Chicory Comfrey Common mallow Valerian Corn mint Hairy & Imperforate St Johns Wort Mugwort Musk mallow Tormentil Wild Angelica Wild thyme Wormwood Bell heather Bilberry Blackthorn Dog rose Field rose Raspberry

Plant health Trees Shrubs

Most thriving. Grass looks quite compacted underneath but is also growing well. Staghorn Sumacs at back. See photos, identities tbc.

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BIODIVERSITY Animal species

No domestic residents but 4 visiting cats that come regularly to sunbathe. Spiders were noted. Butterflies and bees. Common garden birds house sparrows, tits etc. Long grass and flower borders. Hedges and shrubs provide different levels.

Insect species Bird species Habitats

SOIL Profiles Structure Colour PH & nutrients Variations

See photo. In core garden it is very dry and compacted, sandy on surface but denser underneath. Firm and compacted. Light brown. Not tested. There is a large pile of topsoil near the lounge doors that is available, this is a loamy clay. May be difficult to dig in certain areas. Common poppy alkaline Cleavers high nutrients

Challenges Indicator species

CLIMATE

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Predominant weather conditions Microclimates

British temperate maritime climate

Back garden is warmest, likely suntrap near house with its SE aspect and white walls. Cat was sleeping in eastern corner when it was sunny likely to be a shady spot in the afternoon. Front garden more shady, especially where shaded by shrubs. Path with wheelchair access is fairly shady most of the time.

Temperature range Average rainfall Seasonal rainfall distribution Storms Snow & hail

Length of growing season Hours of sunshine First & last frosts Key areas of shade Key areas of sun Wind

Front of the house more shady than back. Around edges of the garden. Middle part of the garden, core area.

Winds are mainly broken from all of the surrounding houses. Otherwise coming from the south west. Suspected to be vulnerable, including snow in the winter.

Frost

WATER

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Sources

At present just inside the house, nearest tap in the kitchen.

Access points Needs

As above, though will hopefully fit an outside tap. Watering plants, especially seedlings and veggies. No irrigation scale systems. Not an issue tap water, low pollution area with rainwater. Slope down to core garden area from all sides. As above. Also slight slope from pavement to front door along pathway. None at present. None at present, but client expressed interest in creating one. None needed, only small scale watering. None at present but client said builder was meant to fit a downpipe leading to a water butt in the corner near the living room windows. No systems established at present. No systems at present, unlikely to be appropriate. Front garden, which is eroded, soil is dry in core garden area. Most damp areas are at the sheltered edges, but not significantly boggy by any means. Downward slope to core garden, potential from kitchen.

Water quality Drainage patterns Water movement patterns Water bodies Ponds Irrigation systems Rainwater harvesting systems Greywater treatment Sewage treatment Dry areas Boggy areas

Gravity potential ACCESS

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Siting

Main back garden is sighted at the back of the house, easily accessible via disabled path/ramp or through house via kitchen doors or big windows in lounge. Only foot traffic, mother in wheelchair. Builder needs access. Client moving through house mainly when leaving. Wide enough pathway to carry items. Inside the house at present, no sheds or structures. There is a central path going through the back garden, which seems to be followed. Central path from gate to door, path around the corner to disabled walkway, then to back garden with one core path through back (see base map).

Kind of traffic Frequency of traffic Ease of bringing in materials Storage Desire lines

Paths

RESOURCES

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Utilities underground Utilities overhead Materials on site Waste audit

Not confirmed. None directly overhead. Pile of topsoil, tiles, scrap wood, old bath and bathroom items. Only enough rubbish produced by one person small amount of food waste, packaging. Client is keen recycler. Step is quite overgrown underneath the pergola, slopes are not entirely level. Uneven ground may contribute to risk of falls and trips. No outside tap. No electric point outside.

Hazards Other

Design questionnaire
VISION & VALUES *What is your overall vision for the site? - To see values manifested in the land - Have a garden with a story - Needs to be authentic - Reflects landscape - Gives a sense of place - Place of joy and peace for all species - Place of hospitality - Extension of the home *What are you trying to achieve? - See the above notes on spiritual connection - Does not want to grow food excessively but would like to grow to meet basic needs - A biodiverse habitat - To live seasonally

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To live holistically

*What aspects are most important? Why? - That the garden is a place of peace and spiritual connection *What are your priorities? - Current priorities are developing the house and managing the moving-in process - Would like to have the labyrinth and raised beds in place this year OVERVIEW *What is the primary use of the site? - Residential garden for client, used as an extension for inside living space. Used to connect with nature and the land. Family and friends visit and use the space on a social level. Potential long-term role in supporting clients practice in providing a therapeutic space for clients. *What specific uses would you like to achieve with the design? - Therapeutic/calming/quiet/joyful/peaceful space - Manageable about of edible foods - Biodiversity/wildlife-attracting garden - Place to eat outside *Which elements do you like most or work the best? - The access to the garden is really good that there are two door ways/windows into the garden and good views from the back of the house onto the garden *Which elements do you currently not like or find work least well? - Client is not too keen on staghorn sumac trees at back of the garden - Likes the wild/naturalistic look however would like the garden to be more managed *What are your current concerns or doubts? Time to implement the design Energy when balancing it with general living work and so forth.

*What are your short-term goals? Within the next year to establish at least the outline of the labyrinth - To have the raised beds built and in production - To have a good grounding of the core preparation needed *What are your long-term goals?

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For the garden to come together as visioned. Potential long-term lifestyle may involve renting the house six months of the year over the winter and living in New Zealand.

WANTS & DESIRES *What would you like to keep? - Views to hills/Shropshire landscape - Current levels of biodiversity (bird life etc.) - Flat paving behind pergola for containers/tables & chairs etc. - Central feature in front garden *Is there anything you would not like, or like to get rid of? Removing any invasive plants that are detrimental to the garden Would like to remove the stag horn sumac in the corner

*What other features are part of your wish list? - Potential shrine area/goddess statue - Bird table/bath as part of elemental feature air? Water? - Wild meadow/naturalistic planting feel in front garden - Aesthetics varied foliage, client likes movement e.g. grasses, colour - Labyrinth simple, made from earth based materials, year round plants if possible, foot width - Potential earth oven NEEDS: FOOD & MEDICINE *What amount of food is required or desired? - Manageable amount, with enough for one person and some surplus to share *What are your favorite foods, likes and dislikes? - Fruit, especially for making jams and preserves - Rhubarb - Nasturtiums - Most veggies - Salads - No gooseberry bushes! - No kiwis *Do you have any specific nutritional needs? None in particular. *What food storage and process facilities do you have or would you need? There is no freezer at present but there will be one in the near future. Otherwise general kitchen storage (kitchen is fairly reasonable size). *What are the health needs of the garden users? Clients mum is disabled. It would be good if she can access raised beds but the

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labyrinth can be designed without disabled access in terms of path sizes. Client also has many nieces and nephews, of varying ages, who visit and share the garden. OTHER NEEDS *What amount of income is needed, if any? Non *What kinds of yields are required from the site? E.g. firewood, water, medicines. None required on a dependency level but desired are vegetables, salads, fruit, aromatic herbs, herbs for teas and other non-material yields, such as a place of sanctuary. *What do you find beautiful? What aesthetic elements would you like in the garden? - Water feature of some variety - Labyrinth - BBQ - Already has a fire wok - Already has a lotus stone - Would like to keep pergola - Would love to have house covered in beautiful, nice-smelling, climbing plants. *Is an area needed for play? Yes, for family who visit. *Who will be using the site on a regular basis? Mainly just the client but potentially her own clients from her psychotherapy practice, visiting friends and family (occasional, not on a daily basis). *Are there any special events that you would anticipate using the site for? - Potential therapeutic garden visits e.g. Quiet Gardens scheme - General social life & hospitality friends round for food etc. *What general storage will you need? - Conservatory should provide space for seedlings otherwise a small half shed half greenhouse in the front garden is one idea.

*Are there any specific technologies that you wish to keep, move or remove? No *What are your water needs or desires? Would like to fit a water butt to catch rainwater, in corner near where kitchen extends outwards. There is no outside tap at the moment.

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*Do you have any sewage treatment needs? No. PLANTS & ANIMALS *Are there any specific plants, trees or shrubs that are on site that you either wish to keep, move or remove? - Herb gardens/general herbs - Loves plants that are heavily scented - Would like climbers up the house walls - Would like to remove sumac trees in the back corner - Would like to work around the central feature in the front garden, as there has clearly been some previous planting schemes - Likes the wild feel, not too conserved over highly ornamental garden *Are there any species you would particularly like to introduce or grow? - See food section - Scented plants - Climbers up the house - Fruiting species *Are there any specific animals onsite that you would like to keep, move or introduce? Chickens are a potential like, however with plans to travel this may not be appropriate at present. Several of the neighbours cats spend regular time in the garden. TIME *How much time is possible or desirable for implementation? Client is happy to invest 1-2 hours per day in the garden, as it is an enjoyable/spiritual activity. *What is your pattern of time use e.g. shifts? Shift working. *How much time are you realistically able to dedicate at the moment and in the future for maintenance? 1-2 hours at present however very long term plans to potentially spend the winter in New Zealand would mean that the garden would have to be manageable for non-experts and low maintenance, or self-maintaining. *How would you like to be spending your time? - Client would like to earn a living in a more grounded way that is more aligned with her spiritual practices/beliefs in a nature-based way. - In 5 years time she would love to only have to work 2 days a week for the NHS with a larger practice at home, offering more alternative services such as retreats or a Quiet garden space, for her one-to-one work.

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- She would love clients to be able to view her garden and benefit from spending time in it. *Do you want to consider future generations into your designs e.g. grandchildren? Yes, nieces and nephews all use the garden on occasion. SKILLS & RESOURCES *What resources are available already on site? - Bath - Wood including doors - Access to old pallets - Old tiles - Glass *What skills do you have? - Physical health and energy - Enthusiasm - Basic gardening skills and understanding *What skills would you like to develop through this process? - Would like to better understand the interactions that are promoted through permaculture to really understand the garden ecology - Would like to complete the permaculture in 3 day course at Karuna - Would like to see the concepts in practice and understand them better e.g. comfrey tea, mulching etc. *What are the gaps in your skills/knowledge that you would like help or advice with? - Names of plants - Some of the terms used in permaculture literature and by practitioners e.g. nitrogen fixing what exactly does this mean? *Do you have access to anything that would be useful to the design e.g. timbers, bricks, tools or stone? - Materials available through free cycle and local networks - Have basic gardening tools - Builder is a good source of cheap materials/opportunities - Access to a pallets *What is your experience of permaculture? Gardening? - Has general gardening experience through life path - Worked on a permaculture farm in New Zealand *What off-site support is available locally that you are aware of? E.g. local garden share schemes, WI, transition groups etc.

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- Lots going on in Shropshire - Contacts with retreats/Quiet Gardens scheme - Mum is able to help with the propagation side of things when she visits ABUNDANCE *How much money is available to implement the design? - Have tools already - Budgeted for about 250 at present until house is finished - Ideally as affordable/low-cost as possible within reason *Are any financial yields needed from the design? No, potentially in the future if the garden plays a role in therapeutic practice. *What are your main on-site expenditures? General costs of living *What are your costs of living and how would you like them to be reduced through the garden? E.g. food bills, fuel etc. General costs of living however it is a bonus to meet some food needs. Main benefits are on an emotional/psychological level e.g. sanity from gardening! CONSTRAINTS *Are there any limitations that could impact the design? E.g. budget, time, skills, land aspects, access, knowledge etc. - Time, due to working hours. - Lack of knowledge, in terms of making best decisions - Timeline and implementation, for example that I dont know where to start feeling *Are there any legal or planning considerations? No, residential land use. SPIRITUALITY *How does the site integrate into your spiritual beliefs? - Garden is an opportunity for reflection - Opportunity to develop and express values - Supports own spiritual journey - Being in right relationship with the land - Creating a sacred space - Connection to the divine feminine *How can the site facilitate or contribute to these practices? E.g. sweat lodges, stone circles etc. - Through creating a labyrinth, which is large enough for people to walk around - Client would like to integrate the elements and directions into the garden design - Raised beds and features representing different areas *Are there any particular special or sacred areas? - Main back garden seems a focus point

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- Areas again are reflecting of the directions *Are there any darker/negative feeling areas? - Paved area at present in the front garden, seems quite eroded with a different energy feel *How does the site integrate into your long-term life journey? - Part of the learning process - Deepening connection with land/strengthening roots *What ethics are important to you? - Ethics that are congruent with sustainable/holistic/organic living OTHER NOTES

Wild Heart Permaculture 2011