Final homestead design project

1. M I C H E L L E K U C K E L M A N
Final Homestead Design
Project

2. Homestead

3. Elements of the Homestead

4. Gardens
 Several different production and garden areas exist on the
homestead. I used the food needs analysis we did earlier in the
course to determine how much production area would be
necessary.
 Vegetable gardens: kitchen garden areas directly outside the house and
twelve 4ftx25ft beds in the surrounding area
 Fruit orchard: I chose semi-dwarf fruit trees for this area since they do
not grow as large as standard trees. Bane notes that some good fruit
trees for my hardiness zone (8) are peaches, figs, and persimmons (p.
324).
 Berries: A large berry patch at the north end of the property will provide
enough for my needs and a surplus to share
 Flower/pollinator areas: These areas will supply food to bees, contribute
to the aesthetics of the homestead, and aid pest control by either
deterring bugs or acting as a trap crop.
 Herb: Herbs will be grown in the gardens directly outside the house and
around the property as needed to provide diversity and pest
management. I will dry them for cooking and to make tea.

5. Energy Recycling
 It is very important that energy from within my
homestead be used and reused as much as possible,
keeping outside inputs to a minimum.
 Chickens: These birds recycle energy by eating kitchen scraps and
turning them into nutritious eggs. As a bonus, they help control bugs
and they fertilize as they go (Bane, p. 268, 269). I will keep them in a
moveable coop, allowing them to have fresh food daily.
 Compost: Any yard clippings, dead leaves, and food waste (not eaten
by chickens) will go into the compost pile to break down and be
reused as fertilizer for garden production areas.
 Solar: I have 3 solar panels on the north facing roof to capture the
sun’s energy for use in the house and greenhouse.
 Greenhouse: This structure directly attached to the house will
provide season extension, seed starting area, and a meditative space.
As for energy recycling, the warm air trapped inside will be
transferred into the house during winter for heating.

6. Water
 As I learned from our previous water analysis, central
Texas receives approximately 34 in of rain fairly evenly
distributed throughout the year. Because of this, water
catchment systems are necessary for plants to survive
between rainfall.
 Roof catchment: Using the formula from The Permaculture
Handbook, I calculated that my 1,2oo square foot roof can catch
25,500 gallons of water per year (Bane, p. 163). It will be stored high
and used to supply all garden areas on the south end of the property.
 Pond: While the pond could potentially hold fish, it will mainly serve
as a holding area for water. This water can be distributed to the berry
patch and melon/ squash patch on the north end of the property
when needed. (Property slopes slightly downhill from south to north)
 Swales: These shallow ditches line the west and north end of the
property to provide a water storage area for trees, berries, flowers,
and shrubs.

7. Community
 Community connectedness is very important and is
manifested in several elements of my homestead.
 Visitor entrance: This entrance is at the opposite end of the property
from the house, providing privacy for myself while still allowing
visitors access to the orchard, berry patch, and melon/squash patch.
There is free public parking along the street at the north of the
property and a large parking lot across the street on the west side.
 Abundance: I purposely created enough area to grow a surplus of
berries and melons/ squash. This creates opportunity for a U-pick or
even a pumpkin patch in the fall. While there would only be enough
produce for a small number of visitors, this would encourage
learning, community, and personal involvement in food acquisition.

8. Permaculture Principles
and their embodiment on the homestead
 Use and Value Nature’s Gifts: compost, leaf mulch, chickens,
rain water collection, solar energy, bees
 Waste Not: compost, chickens, frugal and efficient water use
 Cultivate Diversity: I will cultivate diversity by planting many
different vegetable and using several different varieties of
each vegetable. This will lessen pressures from pests, disease,
weeds, and weather.
 Design from Patterns to Details: This has been the
overarching theme in designing my homestead. I started with
the base map, then did a water analysis, and then the
microclimate and circulation analysis. By combining all the
layers, I was able to place specific elements of the homestead
with much greater ease.