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
