Base mapping
- 1. Base Mapping Discussion #2. By: Aly Lewis
- 2. Decisions... After some careful thought, I decided to go with the Google Earth option. Drawing to scale is something I've struggled with. I decided to use the “easy” route intially as I knew I may struggle with drawing to scale.
- 3. Process Google Earth was a reatively easy to pick up. I could not get the program to zoom closer than a 40 ft scale, so I ended up using the Ruler tool to measure. Keep in mind I am measuring for an urban/sub- urban space. My Homestead is at a friend's house in Delray Beach, Florida. I have been working on this space since August 2014.
- 4. Base Map
- 6. Sectors Some sectors I have identified are: ● Pesticide spraying in the neighborhood ● Don't have ownership of the house (lack of overall decision making) ● Invasive vines/ficus hedge ● Extreme Summer Season (humidity/heat) ● Only 1 Water Spigot (city-water) ● Plenty of filtered light
- 7. Sectors Sectors can come in many forms. My understanding of a sector is any outside influence that I don't have control over. I must work WITH sectors and design accordingly. According to page 55 in our book, sectors enable us to utilize the best possible placement of different design elements for beneficial function. The biggest influence of my design is the fact that I do not own this property. Yes, I am able to do most of what I want. But for instance, digging a well or removing the Ficus hedge is not an option. Since this is not my property I sometimes feel discouraged. This affects my design in many ways, especially how much time, money, and energy I'm willing to put into the space. Ultimately, I show up and do the best I can and utilize this space to practice my design skills, feed myself and some friends, and eventually I plan to teach here. I am very grateful to have this gift in my life, even if its not permanent.
- 8. BEFORE
- 10. DURING Here is a shot after adding free hard-wood mulch, cardboard, straw, and horse manure mulch to the area!
- 11. DURING Begginning of a Banana Circle, with a compost pile in the middle....
- 12. 6 Months Later Here's the banana circle with a guild of sweet potato, moringa, 3 bananas, lemongrass! UPDATE: now I have ginger and turmeric growing here as well!
- 13. Challenges The biggest challenge for me was learning to draw to scale. However, I did better than I thought I would! Being that my space is very small, it was hard to clearly fit in all the important elements that already exist in the space. Sometimes starting with a cleaner slate can lead to better decision making.
- 14. General Feelings/Thoughts It was great to really see the progress I've made since August 2014. There is a full irrigation system on a timer, a rain catch, small nursery, and over 50 varieties of edible plants! The excersize revealed to me that I still have a long way to go, design wise. I need to work on a better plan BEFORE starting to plant! I could have better calculated more space for annual crops if I would have had a better design. I can always make changes, but for now I am just truly proud of the progress and look forward to building on what I have.