The "design a smallholding" thread.

Catweazle · Post by **Catweazle** » 22 Oct 2012, 15:33

Since the kind offers to help me design my smallholding I've been wondering how best to combine ideas into the plan. I think it's best to start on a small part, the fruit&veg and chickens, and see how the method works. I'm going to post up a plan of Field1, a flat 2.6 acre plot that is immediately behind the house. There are some existing features in the garden to the house, a polytunnel, hen house and overgrown veg patch ( narrow beds and 14 concrete paths between them ).

I have drawn a numbered grid over the plan to make it easier to communicate positions. North is upwards, the small green trees at the boundary represent a mature hedge that can be trimmed if needed. Water will come from storage by the barn ( just shown in field2 ). I'd like to reserve the top half of square 4 as an extension to the recreational garden, and square 1 would be a good site for a wind turbine.

I will amend the plan to add features as suggestions are made, until we have a workable field, or you can draw features onto a copy yourself and "pass it on" by re-posting it.

Logistically this could be complicated, so if anyone has a better suggestion on how to do this please let me know.

EDIT to ADD: I just realised I've cropped off the scale bar, each large grid square is approx 25m square.

Catweazle · Post by **Catweazle** » 22 Oct 2012, 15:44

Field 1:

RenewableCandy · Post by **RenewableCandy** » 22 Oct 2012, 17:24

Is that a hedge, or lots of trees, along the West edge of the field? I've noticed that trees allowed to grow to full height are a much better wind-break than just a (say) 8' hedge. Are there gaps into which you could plant proper/productive trees?

Catweazle · Post by **Catweazle** » 22 Oct 2012, 18:27

RenewableCandy wrote:Is that a hedge, or lots of trees, along the West edge of the field? I've noticed that trees allowed to grow to full height are a much better wind-break than just a (say) 8' hedge. Are there gaps into which you could plant proper/productive trees?

It's a rough hedge, not very high, but I could plant trees if needed. Would trees make too much shade ?

I'll send you a link to the aerial photos on BING.COM .

JohnB · Post by **JohnB** » 22 Oct 2012, 18:37

I've got trees on the the west and south of my field, and you can really see the effect when it's frosty. The land that gets the sun clears much more quickly, but if I take out the trees there will be no shelter from the other types of weather!

Catweazle · Post by **Catweazle** » 22 Oct 2012, 18:50

JohnB wrote:I've got trees on the the west and south of my field, and you can really see the effect when it's frosty. The land that gets the sun clears much more quickly, but if I take out the trees there will be no shelter from the other types of weather!

I understand that what does most damage is when sunshine hits frosted plants - the quick thawing damages cells, so a bit of shade from the East is useful.

JohnB · Post by **JohnB** » 22 Oct 2012, 19:19

Catweazle wrote:I understand that what does most damage is when sunshine hits frosted plants - the quick thawing damages cells, so a bit of shade from the East is useful.

I was warned of that when I was looking at land on a east facing slope. The far end of my land is on an east facing slope, but there are tall trees at the bottom, and it gets lots of sun.

lurker · Post by **lurker** » 23 Oct 2012, 09:58

Hard to design anything without abit more info about what your own ideas are i think?

Bigger veg plot near barn

(compost heap with road ascess to unload manure)

Apple orchard

Keep some open field for livestock, chickens etc

Plant some woodland (where it won't shade veg, as veg is best in full sun & away from tree roots)

( above in increasing distance from house)

Some static caravans so you can get some woofers in to do some of the graft for you

Catweazle · Post by **Catweazle** » 23 Oct 2012, 10:19

lurker wrote:Hard to design anything without abit more info about what your own ideas are i think?

You're right of course, it's going to be difficult.

Bigger veg plot near barn

Field 1, in the plan, is going to be soft fruit, veg and chickens.

(compost heap with road ascess to unload manure)

There will be a manure pile in field 3, nearest the riding school who I hope will be able to dump their manure there either over the hedge or I'll make them a gate. A compost heap should be in field 1 so that house scraps and veg waste can go straight on it.

Apple orchard

At the far North of field 3, far from the house as it won't need constant attention.

Keep some open field for livestock, chickens etc

Livestock in fields 2 and 3, chickens closer to the house in field 1 with runs to allow them to help with weeding whilst free-ranging. Having watched the river cottage chicken series I am determined that the chickens will have the most stimulating environment possible.

Plant some woodland (where it won't shade veg, as veg is best in full sun & away from tree roots)

I'm not sure that planting trees for firewood is an efficient use of what is quite a small plot.

( above in increasing distance from house)

Some static caravans so you can get some woofers in to do some of the graft for you

Not for woofers, but I'm planning on two caravans for visitors, they'll probably go on the west side of the barn, facing north to enjoy the views down the valley and not spoiling the view from the house.

the mad cyclist · Post by **the mad cyclist** » 23 Oct 2012, 11:30

We only have a small plot and no matter how much time and effort we put into planning, we always wish we’d done it some other way. When my brother moved to Wales, one of the first things he did, was to lay out his veg plot for easy use and maintenance. He concreted paths around 10 20ft x 5ft beds and built a potting shed and store. You can just see them on google earth sheltered by hedges and trees.

Ours keep moving about and I now wish we’d concreted them down. One piece of advice that I which I had always stuck to, use powered machinery whenever possible, hard graft might seem ok, but joints wear. Remember make the whole thing manageable for your later years.

Catweazle · Post by **Catweazle** » 24 Oct 2012, 18:41

So what's the best place to start ? Nearest the house and work outwards ?

I suppose the chickens have got to be closest as they need most attention.

featherstick · Post by **featherstick** » 24 Oct 2012, 20:39

Catweazle wrote:So what's the best place to start ? Nearest the house and work outwards ?

I suppose the chickens have got to be closest as they need most attention.

Zone 1. The house and immediate surroundings. I have a copy of Bill Mollinsons Permaculture manual you are welcome to borrow if you like. It's written for an Australian context but the principles can be inferred.

Catweazle · Post by **Catweazle** » 24 Oct 2012, 22:53

featherstick wrote:
Catweazle wrote:So what's the best place to start ? Nearest the house and work outwards ?

I suppose the chickens have got to be closest as they need most attention.
Zone 1. The house and immediate surroundings. I have a copy of Bill Mollinsons Permaculture manual you are welcome to borrow if you like. It's written for an Australian context but the principles can be inferred.

Would you recommend it ? If so I'll find a copy to keep, I will have to refer to it often.

JohnB · Post by **JohnB** » 24 Oct 2012, 23:55

Catweazle wrote:Would you recommend it ? If so I'll find a copy to keep, I will have to refer to it often.

You can have a browse through my library when we meet up.

Catweazle · Post by **Catweazle** » 25 Oct 2012, 08:52

JohnB wrote:
Catweazle wrote:Would you recommend it ? If so I'll find a copy to keep, I will have to refer to it often.
You can have a browse through my library when we meet up.

Excellent, cheers John.