Suz Site Survey

7/30/2019 Suz Site Survey

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Wild Heart Permaculture 2011

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.

History 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.

Land use

restrictions

None of significance at present, residential dwelling.

LAND FORM

Topography Residential garden, three different levels street down to house, flat

house and then small slope to core garden area.

Slope Back garden there is a slope from the patio area down to the core

garden area, see pictures.

Orientation &

Aspect

See base map. Back garden receives a lot of sunlight due to its SE

orientation.

Altitude Approx 194m (high street)

STRUCTURES

House Two-bedroom semi-detached ex-council house. Large surface area

in the back for potential climbers

Outbuildings None at present. Potential extension (3m x length of living room).

Potential potting shed/greenhouse in front garden.

Site survey


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Walls & fences Low fence at the bottom. All sides surrounded by various hedges

(see photographs and base map).

Other

constructions

Pergola in middle. Railings for disabled rank.

Conditions of

structures

Fine/good condition.

BOUNDARIES

Outside views 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!

Views to

outside

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.

Neighboring

activities

Gardening, elderly woman at the bottom and her cats. Not a

particularly loud area, no anti social behavior or disturbances.

Other

externalities

None.

Interactions Family relationships, potential professional interactive relationships

with garden if clients practice develops further.

Other


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PLANT COMMUNITIES

Self-willed

plants

See photos.

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.

Native species 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

SneezewortWild Strawberry

Yarrow


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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

ValerianCorn 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 Most thriving. Grass looks quite compacted underneath but is also

growing well.

Trees Staghorn Sumacs at back.

Shrubs See photos, identities tbc.


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BIODIVERSITY

Animal species No domestic residents but 4 visiting cats that come regularly to

sunbathe.

Insect species Spiders were noted. Butterflies and bees.

Bird species Common garden birds house sparrows, tits etc.

Habitats Long grass and flower borders. Hedges and shrubs provide different

levels.

SOIL

Profiles See photo. In core garden it is very dry and compacted, sandy on

surface but denser underneath.

Structure Firm and compacted.

Colour Light brown.

PH & nutrients Not tested.

Variations There is a large pile of topsoil near the lounge doors that is

available, this is a loamy clay.

Challenges May be difficult to dig in certain areas.

Indicator

species

Common poppy alkaline

Cleavers high nutrients

CLIMATE


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Predominant

weather

conditions

British temperate maritime climate

Microclimates 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 ofshade Front of the house more shady than back. Around edges of thegarden.

Key areas of

sun

Middle part of the garden, core area.

Wind Winds are mainly broken from all of the surrounding houses.

Otherwise coming from the south west.

Frost Suspected to be vulnerable, including snow in the winter.

WATER


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

Access points As above, though will hopefully fit an outside tap.

Needs Watering plants, especially seedlings and veggies. No irrigation

scale systems.

Water quality Not an issue tap water, low pollution area with rainwater.

Drainage

patternsSlope down to core garden area from all sides.

Water

movement

patterns

As above. Also slight slope from pavement to front door along

pathway.

Water bodies None at present.

Ponds None at present, but client expressed interest in creating one.

Irrigation

systems

None needed, only small scale watering.

Rainwater

harvesting

systems

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.

Greywater

treatmentNo systems established at present.

Sewage

treatment

No systems at present, unlikely to be appropriate.

Dry areas Front garden, which is eroded, soil is dry in core garden area.Boggy areas Most damp areas are at the sheltered edges, but not significantly

boggy by any means.

Gravity

potential

Downward slope to core garden, potential from kitchen.

ACCESS


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Utilities

undergroundNot confirmed.

Utilities

overhead

None directly overhead.

Materials on

site

Pile of topsoil, tiles, scrap wood, old bath and bathroom items.

Waste audit Only enough rubbish produced by one person small amount of

food waste, packaging. Client is keen recycler.

Hazards Step is quite overgrown underneath the pergola, slopes are not

entirely level. Uneven ground may contribute to risk of falls and trips.

Other No outside tap. No electric point outside.

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

Design questionnaire


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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 wishto 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/spiritualactivity.

*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

Suz Site Survey

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