Elements of a Survey - Optional
In the phase of "Survey" observation is the main activity. There are two main aspects that should be part of every Survey: Surveying the site and interviewing the people.
I included the following elements in our Land Survey:
- Making a Base Map
- Do a sector analysis
- wildlife, soil and plant survey
Elements I included to interview people:
- Client interview
- answering the PASTE (Plants, ANimals, Structure, Tools, Events) within the Client Interview
Introduction: Client Interview
The Client Interview is very important to define the needs, limits, and resources of the people who are responsible or care for the land. Together with the Site Survey, it builds the foundation for any further plannings.
To guarantee that the Client Interview includes all relevant questions I used the online Client Interview sheet by Aranya (Book: Permaculture Design Step by Step) and other inspirations from the book "Permakultur im Hausgarten" (eng.: Permaculture in the garden) by Jonas Gampe.
Client Interview - Summary
In the following I summarize the most important information from the Client Interview:
Fabian (30 Years) and Carolina (24 Years) are the owners of the property. Fabian works externally as a full-time gardener and Carolina is at home being pregnant and caring for the two-Year-old daughter.
Vision:
They want to create a natural designed landscape that integrates the needs of animals, plants, and human.
For animals and plants: Biotopes that are well-coordinated for rare native animals and plants (our contribution to nature conservation).
For human: being self-sufficient as much as possible: produce a large amount of food on the property, be independent as much as possible from water, heating and electricity, produce products on the property that we can sell for economic independence (herbs, perennials); give workshops/courses about different topics on the site, focus-group: children (share knowledge)
They are not allowed to live in the house (see the comment on "Site history"), mainly because of the sites history and the German legislation on underdeveloped land. They want to create a permaculture property that contributes to our income. Fabian is an official farmer, so he might have other rights. We may have the chance, if we sell agricultural products, to get a special authorization by the department of agriculture. But so far, we just need to produce something that we can sell.
In other words, we need to build up an agriculture!
Introduction: Site Survey
Surveying the site is about observation and collecting local data of the land and local conditions. Important observations are about soil, plants, slope, microclimate, animals, water and existing infrastructure. Together with the Client Interview, it builds the foundation for further plannings.
To guarantee that I spend attention on the main observations I used an online worksheet called " Site Survey" created by Aranya
Site Survey - Summary
Property size:
- 2,5 ha
Location:
- Middle-Europe, South Germany, Baden-Württemberg, Landkreis Zollernalb, Stadt Geislingen Binsdorf
Position:
- External underdeveloped land in a quiet location (800 m to the village); surrounded by coniferous and deciduous forests, meadow orchards and extensive meadows
GPS coordinates: North: 48.313720, East: 8.767321
Climate:
- continental
- Plant Hardiness Zone (USDA) 7b: -15 °C to -12.2 °C (average annual minimum winter temperature)
- average annual rainfall: 899 l/sqm
- average annual temperature: 8,5 °C (Average Min: -3,8 °C, Average Max: 23,1 °C)
- the main direction of the wind: west
Microclimate:
- favored microclimate due to a south-facing slope
- center of the property is relatively sheltered from the wind by neighboring and own forest
Existing Vegetation:
- approx. 2 ha of woodland (80%): mixed forest, deciduous and coniferous forest
- Wild and ornamental shrubs
- old fruit trees (Quince, damson, cherry, apple), rough pasture
Existing Infrastructure:
- house: 80 sqm, cellar with processing room for herbs, ground and top floor (one big room each), currently no heating system, no permission to live there, usage limited to agricultural activities
- garage: currently used as storage space
- plastered entry and area all around the house
- pond: gets water from the roof of the house, pond foil is leaking
- paved stairs with railings: three stairs going down the steep slope, 60-80 meters long
- fence: was build illegally, according to our boundary measurement the fence does not correspond with the boundaries on the plan, the fence is damaged at several parts, on many points inside the property the fence is planted with trees or shrubs (like a second natural fence)
Resources, Boundaries and Needs Table
Introduction: Permaculture Tool Sectoring
With the help of sectors, the permaculturist can describe influences and energies that are coming from the outside.
The sectoring map is an outcome after observing the site and is important to analyze the site (e.g. microclimate, water, etc.) and for later design. It helps in planning the placement of different elements (e.g. trees, hedges, structures) to make the most efficient use of energy.
Sectoring
Describtion of my Sector Analysis
Land-based influences
Sun (yellow line): The property is a south slope that naturally catches a lot of solar energy throughout the year.
Wildlife (grey line): Wildlife corridors exist mainly from the neighboring coniferous forests, so mainly from the east and west.
Wind (blue arrows): the main wind direction is west, but we are very sheltered from the neighboring west forest, so there is not a lot of wind.
Noises (black line): The main noises are street noises from the road on the opposite. But at least it is not visible from the property because of many coniferous trees next to the road.
Social Influences
Visitors: enter the property on the main entrance
Department of building inspection (marked red): is responsible for the area where the house is located.
Department of agriculture and nature conservation (marked yellow): Is responsible for the area that we are allowed to re-design.
Department of forestry (marked green): Is responsible for the forest we have on the property
In conclusion, that means, that in the different areas marked with a color different laws need to be noticed.
Resources and Boundaries for Implementation and Maintenance
