class: center, middle # Design a Backyard Forest _How to put things in the right place_  [Course preview](/) by [Jake Rayson](https://www.forestgarden.wales) [preview.backyardforest.uk/design](https://preview.backyardforest.uk/design/) ###### **Press `P` to see notes and credits**
Work licensed under [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/), embedded work may have other licenses. --- # Course overview
1. [
Introducing
](/course/intro/) 2. [
Plan
](/course/plan/) 3. [
Design
](/course/design/) π 4. [Protection](/course/protection/) 5. [Perennial Veg](/course/veg/) 6. [Canopy](/course/canopy/) 7. [Ground Prep](/course/prep/) 8. [Shrubs & Ground Cover](/course/shrubs-cover/) ??? * Number 3 in series of 8 lectures in total * First 3 lectures are about observing, planning and designing. * Middle 3 lectures getting hands dirty starting the _structure_ of the garden: establishing windbreaks, building features, establishing paths and planting the canopy layer, the big trees. * Final 2 lectures are about filling in the structure: clearing the ground, and then planting the shrubs and the ground cover. --- # What youβll learn  1. Design philosophy 2. Benefits of a design 3. Design principles 4. Example of design process
Philosophy β Benefit β Principles β Example
--- # What is design?  ### βPurposefully putting things
in the right placeβ
Philosophy β Benefit β Principles β Example
??? * Philosophy is what *guides* the design process * Moving symbols easier than moving things * What is the _right_ place? * MAKE THE BIG MISTAKES EARLY! --- class: middle, center # 1. Philosophy
Philosophy
β Benefit β Principles β Example
--- # 1. Philosophy  * Work with nature to grow edible crops π * Native plants for wildlife * Stepping stone to landscape
Philosophy
β Benefit β Principles β Example
??? * The drive: Climate Emergency, Mass Extinction * Low impact, sustainable * Benjamin Vogt [A New Garden Ethic](https://newsociety.com/Books/N/A-New-Garden-Ethic) * Image of cover * Native plants co-evolved with native fauna * Strengthen our ecosystems, regenerative agriculture --- # 1. Philosophy  ### βWorking **with** nature means
designing **for** natureβ
Philosophy
β Benefit β Principles β Example
--- # 1. Philosophy  * Work with nature to grow edible crops * Native plants for wildlife π * Stepping stone to landscape
Philosophy
β Benefit β Principles β Example
--- # 1. Philosophy  * Work with nature to grow edible crops * Native plants for wildlife π * Stepping stone to landscape
Philosophy
β Benefit β Principles β Example
--- # 1. Philosophy  * Work with nature to grow edible crops * Native plants for wildlife π * Stepping stone to landscape
Philosophy
β Benefit β Principles β Example
??? * **274** insect species interaction with Common Oak * [Database of Insects & Their Food Plants](https://www.brc.ac.uk/dbif/hosts.aspx) --- # 1. Philosophy [](https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/Search-Form) * Work with nature to grow edible crops * Native plants for wildlife π * Stepping stone to landscape
Philosophy
β Benefit β Principles β Example
--- # 1. Philosophy  * Work with nature to grow edible crops * Native plants for wildlife * Stepping stone to landscape π
Philosophy
β Benefit β Principles β Example
??? * Do not forget political (lower case) engagement! --- class: middle, center # 2. Benefit
Philosophy β
Benefit
β Principles β Example
--- # 2. Benefit  * Symbols are light π * Document observations * Wishlists into design * Design into schedule
Philosophy β
Benefit
β Principles β Example
??? * Design is thoughtful placement of elements * Concentrate on benefits, not features * In previous lecture, Survey [Why plans are useful](https://preview.backyardforest.uk/survey/#3) --- # 2. Benefit  * Symbols are light * Document observations π * Wishlists into design * Design into schedule
Philosophy β
Benefit
β Principles β Example
--- # 2. Benefit  * Symbols are light * Document observations * Wishlists into design π * Design into schedule
Philosophy β
Benefit
β Principles β Example
--- # 2. Benefit  * Symbols are light * Document observations * Wishlists into design * Design into schedule π
Philosophy β
Benefit
β Principles β Example
--- ## Wishlists from planning 
Download checklist PDF
bit.ly/forest-garden-checklist
* Observations checklist * Features wishlist * Plants wishlist
Philosophy β
Benefit
β Principles β Example
--- ##Β Examples for wishlists  * **Structures**: greenhouse, raised beds, compost bin * **Wildlife**: native flowers, pond, meadow, hedge, log pile * **Features**: pond, stream, seats, shady area, paths, gates * **Harvest**: apples, nuts, aronia berries, haws * **Areas**: veg, fruit, nuts, pond
Philosophy β
Benefit
β Principles β Example
??? * Pond is example of piece that fits number of wants * See [Wildlife garden checklist](https://www.forestgarden.wales/blog/wildlife-garden-checklist/) --- class: middle, center # 3. Principles
Philosophy β Benefit β
Principles
β Example
--- # General principles  * Attention π * Protection * Accessibility * Iterative
Philosophy β Benefit β
Principles
β Example
??? * **Design outwards** ie canopy & windbreaks first, then design from hourse * Design higher maintenance closer to house & access * Eg herbs, cherries, greenhouse, annual veg, propagation area * Closer, more visible things get more attention * Need more attention for **young** perennials * βKeep your cherries close, and your herbs closerβ --- # General principles  * Attention * Protection π * Accessibility * Iterative
Philosophy β Benefit β
Principles
β Example
--- # General principles  * Attention * Protection * Accessibility π * Iterative
Philosophy β Benefit β
Principles
β Example
--- # General principles  * Attention * Protection * Accessibility * Iterative π
Philosophy β Benefit β
Principles
β Example
??? * design β build β evaluate * plan β plant β ponder * It is a **process** * **Repeat**! A design is a living thing, see [How Buildings Learn](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3tnDlJcXMk9BFY0fnsuJtVzz_YS0SN32) * From software design, generally applicable * Not 1 thing, itβs a balance, a combination --- # Specific principles  1. **Useful** to someone 2. **Native** plants co-evolved 3. **Aspect** for sun 4. **Soil** pH & structure 5. **Structure** space & shape 6. **Plants** know size, sun, soil, native
Philosophy β Benefit β
Principles
β Example
??? * Know your plants * Benjamin Vogt article, https://www.monarchgard.com/thedeepmiddle/creating-the-100ft-prairie-inspired-pollinator-garden --- # Specific principles  1. **Useful** to someone π 2. **Native** plants co-evolved 3. **Aspect** for sun 4. **Soil** pH & structure 5. **Structure** space & shape 6. **Plants** know size, sun, soil, native
Philosophy β Benefit β
Principles
β Example
--- # 1. Useful to someone  * _For_ someone: soil biota, invertebrate, amphibian⦠* Eg edible, habitat, protection, building, mulching⦠* **Stacking function** for every element * Native _generally_ more useful
Philosophy β Benefit β
Principles
β Example
??? * Principle of forest _and_ wildlife gardening * _Working with nature_ * Informed choice --- # Specific principles  1. **Useful** to someone 2. **Native** plants co-evolved π 3. **Aspect** for sun 4. **Soil** pH & structure 5. **Structure** space & shape 6. **Plants** know size, sun, soil, native
Philosophy β Benefit β
Principles
β Example
--- # 2. Native  * Native plant species have **co-evolved** * [Database of Insects & Food Plants](https://www.brc.ac.uk/dbif/homepage.aspx) * Native filter on [RHS Plant Finder](https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/Search-Form) * [A New Garden Ethic](https://newsociety.com/Books/N/A-New-Garden-Ethic) by [Benjamin Vogt](https://www.monarchgard.com/benjamin-vogt.html)
Philosophy β Benefit β
Principles
β Example
??? * Native as first consideration * Human needs amongst many * Mass Extinction --- # Specific principles  1. **Useful** to someone 2. **Native** plants co-evolved 3. **Aspect** for sun π 4. **Soil** pH & structure 5. **Structure** space & shape 6. **Plants** know size, sun, soil, native
Philosophy β Benefit β
Principles
β Example
--- # 3. Aspect  * How is your garden orientated? * South most, West better than East * Tall plants North * _Changes_ across year!
Philosophy β Benefit β
Principles
β Example
??? * [Sun Surveyor mobilexx app](https://www.sunsurveyor.com) * Light determines what will grow! * Light informs all other design considerations --- # Specific principles  1. **Useful** to someone 2. **Native** plants co-evolved 3. **Aspect** for sun 4. **Soil** pH & structure π 5. **Structure** space & shape 6. **Plants** know size, sun, soil, native
Philosophy β Benefit β
Principles
β Example
--- # 4. Soil  * Soil determines what will grow * [Acidity](https://www.rhs.org.uk/Advice/Profile?pid=239) ie [pH](), use kit * [Types](https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=179#section-2): clay, loam, sand β sausage or [jar test](https://preparednessmama.com/jar-soil-test/)! * Consider **rainfall** & possible rubbish * Make [nutrient budget](/nutrients/)
Philosophy β Benefit β
Principles
β Example
??? * Full list of soil types: clay, loam, sand, silt, chalk, peat! * How to know your soil * Plants grow in soil!! --- # Specific principles  1. **Useful** to someone 2. **Native** plants co-evolved 3. **Aspect** for sun 4. **Soil** pH & structure 5. **Structure** space & shape π 6. **Plants** know size, sun, soil, native
Philosophy β Benefit β
Principles
β Example
--- # 5. Structure  * Basic structure: orientation, buildings, fencing * Think of plants in _[layers](/layers/)_ * 3 basic layers: canopy, shrub, ground cover * Think of plants as shapes * **Critical** consideration is [spacing](/spacing/) to allow light
Philosophy β Benefit β
Principles
β Example
??? * Think about structure * Structure determines access & growth * Importance of spacing * Plants need light --- # Specific principles  1. **Useful** to someone 2. **Native** plants co-evolved 3. **Aspect** for sun 4. **Soil** pH & structure 5. **Structure** space & shape 6. **Plants** know size, sun, soil, native π
Philosophy β Benefit β
Principles
β Example
--- # 6. Plants  * [RHS Plant Finder](https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/Search-Form) & [Plants For A Future](https://pfaf.org/user/Default.aspx) * Choose ultimate height & width, and **native** * [Rootstock](https://www.forestgarden.wales/blog/rootstock-reference/) determines height of tree * Consider light, soil, water, other plants * βRight plant, right placeβ!
Philosophy β Benefit β
Principles
β Example
??? * Where to start learning about plants * Fantastic online resources --- class: middle, center # 4. Example --- # 4. Example 1. Create map 2. Add observations 3. Add features wishlist 4. Add plants wishlist 
Philosophy β Benefit β Principles β
Example
??? * See previous lecture [Plan a Backyard Forest](/course/plan/) * Practical example to illustrate design process * Using simplified plan & wishlist * Created in QCAD, as quicker * Jiggle is a technical gardening design term π --- ## 1. Create map π * See [Plan lecture](/course/plan/) * Either paper or CAD * Or combination 
Philosophy β Benefit β Principles β
Example
??? * If paper outline plan, then photocopy lots!! * Enlarge, lots of copies to work from and sketch on. ---
??? * This is a paper plan brought into CAD, for ease of use * **Get the scale right!** * 1:100 βΒ 1m = 10mm * Mark orientation π --- ## 2. Observations * Situation π * Existing plants * Utilities & structures 
Philosophy β Benefit β Principles β
Example
??? * Clientβs property in North London ---
??? * Aspect: west facing, flat, 13 meters altitude! * Plants: trees on boundary, yew, cherry, fig in garden * Utilities: make believe telephone wire * Structures: shed, patio, fences * Privacy: surrounded by neighbours --- ## 2. Observations * Situation * Existing plants π * Utilities & structures 
Philosophy β Benefit β Principles β
Example
--- ## 2. Observations * Situation * Existing plants π * Utilities & structures 
Philosophy β Benefit β Principles β
Example
--- ## 2. Observations * Situation * Existing plants * Utilities & structures π 
Philosophy β Benefit β Principles β
Example
---
??? * Situation * Existing plants * Utilities & structures --- ## 3. Features wishlist * Greenhouse * Pond & veg beds * Shed & table 
Philosophy β Benefit β Principles β
Example
--- ## 3. Features wishlist * Greenhouse π * Pond & veg beds * Shed & table 
Philosophy β Benefit β Principles β
Example
--- ## 3. Features wishlist * Greenhouse * Pond & veg beds π * Shed & table 
Philosophy β Benefit β Principles β
Example
--- ## 3. Features wishlist * Greenhouse * Pond & veg beds * Shed & table π 
Philosophy β Benefit β Principles β
Example
---
??? * Greenhouse * Pond & veg beds * Shed & table --- ## 4. Plants: trees & shrubs * Hawthorn & hazel * Apple & crabapple * Bamboo 
Philosophy β Benefit β Principles β
Example
--- ## 4. Plants: trees & shrubs * Hawthorn & hazel π * Apple & crabapple * Bamboo 
Philosophy β Benefit β Principles β
Example
--- ## 4. Plants: trees & shrubs * Hawthorn & hazel π * Apple & crabapple * Bamboo 
Philosophy β Benefit β Principles β
Example
--- ## 4. Plants: trees & shrubs * Hawthorn & hazel * Apple & crabapple π * Bamboo 
Philosophy β Benefit β Principles β
Example
--- ## 4. Plants: trees & shrubs * Hawthorn & hazel * Apple & crabapple * Bamboo π 
Philosophy β Benefit β Principles β
Example
---
??? * Hawthorn & hazel * Apple & crabapple * Bamboo --- ## 4. Plants: perennials & veg * Meadow, herbs, comfrey * Perennial salad * Shady perennials 
Philosophy β Benefit β Principles β
Example
??? * From patterns to particulars (permaculture?) * Native if at all possible! --- ## 4. Plants: perennials & veg * Meadow, herbs, comfrey π * Perennial salad * Shady perennials 
Philosophy β Benefit β Principles β
Example
--- ## 4. Plants: perennials & veg * Meadow, herbs, comfrey π * Perennial salad * Shady perennials 
Philosophy β Benefit β Principles β
Example
--- ## 4. Plants: perennials & veg * Meadow, herbs, comfrey π * Perennial salad * Shady perennials 
Philosophy β Benefit β Principles β
Example
--- ## 4. Plants: perennials & veg * Meadow, herbs, comfrey * Perennial salad π * Shady perennials 
Philosophy β Benefit β Principles β
Example
--- ## 4. Plants: perennials & veg * Meadow, herbs, comfrey * Perennial salad * Shady perennials π 
Philosophy β Benefit β Principles β
Example
---
??? * Meadow, herbs, comfrey * Perennial salad * Shady perennials --- # Backyard forest takeaways  * Work _with_ nature, include natives * Make the big mistakes early * Iterative **process**
Philosophy β Benefit β Principles β Example
--- class: middle, center # The End 
[www.forestgarden.wales/newsletter](https://www.forestgarden.wales/newsletter) Music: _[Chegsticks](https://iamthemightyjungulator.bandcamp.com/track/chegsticks-3) by [I Am The Mighty Jungulator](https://iamthemightyjungulator.bandcamp.com)_