Nicholas Barrett-Miller designed a homestead that produces fruits, vegetables, herbs and grains using permaculture principles. The design maximizes yields while minimizing changes to the existing landscape. It leaves most of the forested area undisturbed and uses the space for mushroom cultivation and foraging. The design incorporates composting and uses edges and margins for plantings to control erosion and grow berries and other foods.

1. Final Homestead Design
Nicholas Barrett-Miller

2. Site Photo
• Nicholas Barrett-
Miller
• Reading, MA

3. Goals Articulation
 This homestead produces an abundance of fruits,
vegetables, herbs, and grains. There is limited
poultry production in addition to honey and
mushrooms. It is heated by wood, and powered by
the sun. Waste is processed on-site. Water is
provided by the town.

4. Site Analysis
 The challenge of my site is in maximizing yields
while minimizing changes to the site itself. I
essentially read my microclimate layer as a
roadmap for where certain elements would go. The
full sun and partial sun areas are reserved for
veggies while shaded areas are reserved for
activities that don’t require much light. Perhaps
most importantly, the site analysis allowed me to
take stock of just how much space I really have on
the property. Before I viewed my yard as miniscule,
but now I know that a whole lot can be crammed
into it.

5. Top Two
Design
Sketches
• Sketch 1 focuses on maximum
density of gardens. Removes
gravel in favor of more
growing space. The focus on
intensively managed space
allows for quicker harvesting
and transport.
• Sketch 5 leaves much more
open space (i.e grass) as
chicken forage. Also leaves
gravel in place for use as a
wick garden.
• Both feature hedge and
ground cover barriers near
road as well as blueberries
near conifer trees for acidic
soil and shade.

6. Final Homestead Design Drawing

7. Permaculture Principles
 5. “Use and Value Nature’s Gifts” (Bane, 32-33)
 My site design focused on changing as little as possible in the
existing landscape. Instead of doing a complete overhaul (read:
clear-cutting) the forested space will be left undisturbed (or at
most selectively logged) and used for low light activities like
mushroom culture, and foraging.
 6. “Make No Waste” (Bane, 33)
 My site has a septic tank that feeds nutrients into the soil. Also,
there a 3-section compost bin and mushroom culture as well.
 11. “Mind the Margins and Look to the Edges” (Bane, 39)
 My site design uses margins for plantings of ground cover for
erosion control as well as fruits like blue berries and
blackberries. The design also seeks to maximize density by
using edges for either foraging or food growth.

8. Conclusions
 The design drawing does not include minute details
such as intercropping.
 For example, I plant on having an intricate crop
rotation over time through my planned beds.
Additionally, beds will be intercropped as well as
cover cropped to maintain and grow fertility and
dissuade pests.
 The margins of the property will be planted as
much as possible with nectaries (and in many cases
already are).

9. Conclusions
 Additionally, all pathways and garden beds will be
mulched with mycelliated media so as to have as
many edible mushrooms growing all over the place
as possible. The idea here is that plant canopies will
create a favorable microclimate for the fungus.
 The fungus will also help control soil pests, clean up
contaminants, and decompose large particles into
soil matter.
 The low, moist area of the woods will be used for
intensive mushroom log cultivation.

10. Conclusions
 Blueberries planted near the conifers will benefit
from the acidic soil that pine needles cause where
other plants would likely suffer.
 Over time I hope to slowly replace the trees in the
back forest as they reach the end of their lives with
large fruit trees, maple trees, and black walnut trees.