A Brief Look at Holmgren's Principles in Respect of the Design.
- Observe and Interact - The site has been my vegetable garden for four years, so I know it well - I want to take time to consider the experience of running the vegetable box scheme some years ago, to decide what I can learn about that in running this business.
- Catch and Store Energy
- Obtain a Yield - The yields I am looking for are - an income, an expanded circle of influence and interaction, and increase in confidence and ability.
- Apply Self Regulation and Accept Feeback - Design in points at which to check what's going on, and if it's working.
- Use and Value renewable resources and services - Water particularly in this design.
- Produce No Waste - plastic trays and pots present a problem.
- Design from Patterns to Details
- Integrate rather than Segregate - The importance of designing this from the ground up with the CSA Market Garden in parallel is not to be overlooked.
- Use Small and Slow Solutions - I tend to look for bigger markets and outlets than I need, and then be put off when I can't find them - the Country Market is small, and does not produce great yields, but as a starting point, a discipline, and a first outlet, it is great.
- Use and Value Diversity - what new and different herb and salad crops can run alongside the more usual ones? Can growing herbs and plants indigenous to our calcareous grassland improve bio-diversity in the area?
- Use Edges and Value the Marginal - the edge between salads and herbs sounds productive. Edges between my own income streams/endeavours and also between my business and other businesses.
- Creatively Use and Respond to Change - Design for change with a view to a possible house move in the future.