Edible permaculture garden

Noordwijk, Netherlands, 2024 - Harvest the Rain

Before

When I came to this place, there was an immediate match between me and the clients. They were very interested in the food forestry principles and wanted to learn more about how to transform their yard into a little green permaculture oasis. They also told me they did not have a green thumb and that they were struggling with the minimal plants they had in their yard. Their most important question was how to make their yard ‘more dynamic’. They currently had a big cherry tree in their yard and some small plants in pots. They had a corner under the cherry tree that did not get a whole lot of light and grass was also struggling in this area. Overall their current hardscaping made their yard feel very ‘boxy’ and straight. They had a small rainwater tank that was leaking, and the small covered area was needed to store the motorcycle and some outdoor toys.

Requirements

After the initial talks and inspiration presentations with the client, this was the shortlist of requirements they had for their permaculture yard design.

Backyard
- A more ‘dynamic’ outdoor space
- Only functional plants. Either edible or otherwise ecologically interesting
- A vegetable garden
- Enough grass to put a small inflatable pool on it in summer
- More evergreen plants for a nicer winter-look
- Leave space for seating and outdoor dining
- Get some color in the dark and shady corner
- Re-use tiles
Front yard
- A nice place to look at year-round
- A space to sit and watch their kids while playing (thus no tall plants blocking the view)
- Less maintenance

Design

To make the yard feel more lively, I wanted to change up the square look caused by the straight tile lines. Plus, I wanted to make space for more plants and cut down on the underused lawn space. The sunny corner by the house was just right for a veggie garden since those plants love soaking up the sun. It’s handy to have the garden nearby for quick checks and easy watering. And a bonus: keeping the veggies here should help keep snails away!

For the vegetable garden border, I chose weathered steel because it’s relatively inexpensive, deters slugs, and creates a rounded, softer look. Between the perennial garden and the annual vegetable garden, I planted species that snails dislike, and strategically placed ‘sacrifice’ plants beforehand to distract them from exploring further into the vegetable garden. With the vegetable garden close to the house, it also creates an ideal location for a raised rain tank by reusing the tiles that will be removed. By elevating it above the garden, gravity can be used to distribute water to the plants efficiently.

In the yard, I created a lowered area where the rainwater from the motorbike shed’s roof now flows. This depression is where excess rainwater can accumulate during heavy rainfalls, creating a microclimate suitable for plants that thrive in wetter conditions. By creating diverse microclimates, we attract a wide variety of plants and insects, enhancing biodiversity in the garden.

Plantingplan

The garden features primarily edible plants such as hardy kiwi, Caucasian spinach, perennial cabbage, and wild garlic. If you’d like to receive the complete plant list for this garden, feel free to send me a message!

The once dark corner of the yard is now brightened with an array of shade-loving plants that add color and vibrancy. The previously straight path has been given a curve to create a more logical route to the shed and gate while also breaking the rigidity of the garden’s layout. Nitrogen-fixing plants have been strategically planted to establish symbiotic relationships with root bacteria, enriching the soil.

Wintergreen plants have been placed strategically to ensure the garden remains visually appealing even during the colder months. The plant selection ensures that something is blooming throughout the year, providing continuous nourishment for pollinators. Originally, there was also space allocated for shiitake logs and a soaking tank, which is an excellent way to utilize dark corners of the garden for food production.

Lastly, a compost bin has been added so that kitchen waste can be composted into rich nutrients for the vegetable garden, fostering a sustainable cycle of growth and renewal.

Soil improvements

The soil wasn’t getting enough love, so we decided it deserved a boost to help those new plants thrive right from the start. We added loads of compost all over the yard and tossed in some rock minerals to tackle any deficiencies. As time goes by, the wood chip mulch will break down, boosting the soil organic matter and fueling soil life. The real magic will unfold gradually. Armed with a detailed maintenance manual tailored to this spot and its plant pals, some of the plants here will be trimmed and left on the ground to nourish the soil when they reach a good size. Plants like comfrey have deep roots that pull nutrients from the clay deep underneath. When the leaves drop in winter or if we trim them early, these nutrients will enrich the rest of the gang up top.