We would like to set up some commercial-scale market gardens—organic no-till—run cooperatively as Mistwood Farm. We will need to watch the wind coming over the ridges, so we intend to establish some windbreak trees (native indigenous) to help with this and “hold the space” for the market gardens.
We will build a central tool shed and food processing and storage area in the middle of the market garden area. This will allow teams easy access to necessary tools and provide ready access for vehicles.
Relevant Permaculture Principles
All permaculture principles inform all aspect of the permaculture design and operations—these more so than others.
Ensure that you are getting truly useful rewards as part of the work that you are doing.
We need to discourage inappropriate activity to ensure that systems can continue to function well.
By putting the right things in the right place, relationships develop between them and they support each other.
Diversity reduces vulnerability to a variety of threats and takes advantage of the unique nature of the environment in which it resides.
The interface between things is where the most interesting events take place. These are often the most valuable, diverse and productive elements in the system.
Live simply so others may simply live - living within limits and distribute the surplus.
The wellbeing of ourselves, our kin, and community is the best indicator of how we are going.
Actions
Add mycorrhizal spores to soil and provide humic acids to support mycorrhizal colonization.
Introduce beneficial nematodes to diversify soil biota and improve plant health.
Apply fungal compost tea as a soil drench to enhance fungal populations.
We are also considering the possibility of some truffle trees on the north east side of the hill, but we are not yet sure if this a good location, or even whether the soil is appropriate.
During the cooler months like July, appropriate measures should be put in place to protect frost-sensitive plants.
Install greenhouses to shield crops during cloudy seasons, ensuring steady growth despite reduced sunlight in mid-year.
Install a climate monitoring system to continuously track temperature, humidity, dew point, and wind conditions, enabling more informed agricultural decisions.
Design and plant windbreaks to shield crops from prevalent winds, particularly in September when wind speeds are highest.