Organic Landscape Design

Mike and Amy Buland did their first sheet mulched key hole bed in the spring of 2009.  Their bed was a kitchen herb garden design but they soon added a compost bin and expanded the area of their garden beyond the original key hole.  This year they have removed concrete from the garden area, added more sheet mulch and are in process of starting on their front yard.

This area is ideal to convert from grass to garden.  The slope and the western exposure make it difficult to keep enough water on it for grass.   Pedestrians regularly cut the corner from the driveway on Iowa to go east on Florida compacting the soil. And, the homeowner does not spend any time on that side of the house because it is so exposed and therefore is not aware of the condition of the soil and plants. 

The area is roughly 30 feet wide by 60 feet long.  They are planning a pathway diagonally across the garden for the pedestrians.  There is space for about five key hole beds on the west end and a mid sized ash tree on the east end.  They are planning a forest edge effect with fruiting shrubs under the drip line of the ash tree.

With beautiful flowers and food production, this unused nuisance part of the property can become a wonderful aspect of the property's overall appeal.

Mike and Amy are starting to add ornamentals such as Iris and day lily as those plants stop blooming and are ready to transplant.  We will be planting Nan King Cherry, Sour Cherry and Choke Cherry at the drip line of the ash tree this fall.  The 3/4 inch drip line has been attached to the timer operated system on their existing garden and the beds will be ready for planting to vegetables in the spring.

Here is the plan to build out the South East Section of the yard.