Brinkman home, Emporia KS

Design goals:

• reduce mowing and maintenance for front yard: 2-3 evenings/week available for maintenance of entire yard
• keep neighbors happy (shield view of garden and related items)
• increase privacy on south end
• support future greenhouse south of carport
• continue using no chemicals
• explore possibility of grain production
• possible rock garden

Recommendations:

• Expand decorative perennial border on north and west edges of property to shield neighbors' view of property
  • sheet-mulch beds to smother grass and increase fungal ratio to favor perennials
  • include fast-growing annuals (e.g. beans) for quick privacy while perennials get established
  • include evergreen plants (e.g. nandina) for year-round privacy
  • include edible plants (esp. berries) on inside of border
• Plant decorative and useful shade-tolerant bushes (e.g. highbush cranberry) along south edge
• Expand grape & berry production along inside of fence; consider hardy kiwi and other vine crops for this area
• Add water catchment tank at southeast corner of carport
• Install & enforce weed barrier around sedum bed at southwest corner
• Consider area north of fence for rock garden, since it is in shadow November through April
• Consider northeast corner for grain production, but expanding inside fence may be necessary to make it worth the trouble