MICHELLE KUCKELMAN

Final Homestead Design Project

Homestead

Elements of the Homestead

Gardens Energy Recycling

CommunityWater

Gardens

Several different production and garden areas exist on the homestead. I used the food needs analysis we did earlier in the course to determine how much production area would be necessary. Vegetable gardens: kitchen garden areas directly outside the house and

twelve 4ftx25ft beds in the surrounding area Fruit orchard: I chose semi-dwarf fruit trees for this area since they do not

grow as large as standard trees. Bane notes that some good fruit trees for my hardiness zone (8) are peaches, figs, and persimmons (p. 324).

Berries: A large berry patch at the north end of the property will provide enough for my needs and a surplus to share

Flower/pollinator areas: These areas will supply food to bees, contribute to the aesthetics of the homestead, and aid pest control by either deterring bugs or acting as a trap crop.

Herb: Herbs will be grown in the gardens directly outside the house and around the property as needed to provide diversity and pest management. I will dry them for cooking and to make tea.

Energy Recycling

It is very important that energy from within my homestead be used and reused as much as possible, keeping outside inputs to a minimum. Chickens: These birds recycle energy by eating kitchen scraps and

turning them into nutritious eggs. As a bonus, they help control bugs and they fertilize as they go (Bane, p. 268, 269). I will keep them in a moveable coop, allowing them to have fresh food daily.

Compost: Any yard clippings, dead leaves, and food waste (not eaten by chickens) will go into the compost pile to break down and be reused as fertilizer for garden production areas.

Solar: I have 3 solar panels on the north facing roof to capture the sun’s energy for use in the house and greenhouse.

Greenhouse: This structure directly attached to the house will provide season extension, seed starting area, and a meditative space. As for energy recycling, the warm air trapped inside will be transferred into the house during winter for heating.

Water

As I learned from our previous water analysis, central Texas receives approximately 34 in of rain fairly evenly distributed throughout the year. Because of this, water catchment systems are necessary for plants to survive between rainfall. Roof catchment: Using the formula from The Permaculture Handbook, I

calculated that my 1,2oo square foot roof can catch 25,500 gallons of water per year (Bane, p. 163). It will be stored high and used to supply all garden areas on the south end of the property.

Pond: While the pond could potentially hold fish, it will mainly serve as a holding area for water. This water can be distributed to the berry patch and melon/ squash patch on the north end of the property when needed. (Property slopes slightly downhill from south to north)

Swales: These shallow ditches line the west and north end of the property to provide a water storage area for trees, berries, flowers, and shrubs.

Community

Community connectedness is very important and is manifested in several elements of my homestead. Visitor entrance: This entrance is at the opposite end of the

property from the house, providing privacy for myself while still allowing visitors access to the orchard, berry patch, and melon/squash patch. There is free public parking along the street at the north of the property and a large parking lot across the street on the west side.

Abundance: I purposely created enough area to grow a surplus of berries and melons/ squash. This creates opportunity for a U-pick or even a pumpkin patch in the fall. While there would only be enough produce for a small number of visitors, this would encourage learning, community, and personal involvement in food acquisition.

Permaculture Principles and their embodiment on the homestead

Use and Value Nature’s Gifts: compost, leaf mulch, chickens, rain water collection, solar energy, bees

Waste Not: compost, chickens, frugal and efficient water useCultivate Diversity: I will cultivate diversity by planting

many different vegetable and using several different varieties of each vegetable. This will lessen pressures from pests, disease, weeds, and weather.

Design from Patterns to Details: This has been the overarching theme in designing my homestead. I started with the base map, then did a water analysis, and then the microclimate and circulation analysis. By combining all the layers, I was able to place specific elements of the homestead with much greater ease.