Mission:

To design a holistic and resilient system which will increase Ina's self-sufficiency and emergency
preparedness. This landscape will be beautiful, productive, low-cost and low maintenance.
Vision:
We imagine a human habitat that is ecologically integrated. The dry rocky slopes of this site present
challenges but also opportunities for edible production, water security, beauty and abundance. The
landscape will be dotted with fruit trees, berry bushes, and plants for humans and wildlife. The design
will be guided by the clients values, which include respect of wildlife patterns, sustainability, and the
creative process. The landscape will enhance the well-being of the client and be manageable for her
while increasing her self-sufficiency and emergency preparedness. Physical systems (irrigation,
composting, water storage) will activate higher biological activity in the soil, food production.
Objectives:
fix irrigation before next summer
develop a soil fertility management plant and begin implementation this fall
design a clear and easy rat proof system
develop annual garden plan and begin implementation by this fall
Improve composting
have Jo teach bud-grafting to Ina on the hawthron (grafting on pear)
initiate community potluck
fix rain barrel (for gravity feed)
enhance privacy screen between the north neighbor
skill and knowledge building around soils, compost, grafting, irrigation etc.
Planting fruit trees, berries, etc. Starting this fall and continuing over implementation plan timeline.

Site Analysis and Assessment Summary: Constraints and Opportunities

Location:
Orcas Island, Wa.
Precipitation:
28 per year
October-March 19.81
April-September 8.35
Temperature:
Summer Hi/Low : 70/49F
Winter Hi/Low: 45/34F
Hardiness zone: 8b
Prevalling wind: Summer NW; Winter SE
Soils: Rocky well drained, exposed bedrock
Lot size: 7854 square feet
Aspect: SE
Slope: 15/100= 15%
Dominant vegetation: Madrona (Arbutus menziesii); Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii); Ocean spray
(Holodiscus discolor); Low oregon grape (Mahonia nervosa); Juniper (Juniperus scropulorum); Salal
(Gaultheria shallon); Snow berry (Symphoricarpos albus); grasses;

Opportunities:
Good drainage
Warm microclimate
rainwater collection and use
solar power passive/photovoltaic possibilities
Community connection and sharing surplus and/or varieties of fruit
compost and fertility management
beautification
learning/education around soil fertility and holistic landscape management
increase self-sufficiency and emergency preparedness
increase privacy screening

Challenges:
Rocky, dry, bedrock
time constraints
budget constraints
deer proofing
rat attraction
Shade from house and doug fir trees
Budget:
Plants
Soil
pathways/wood chips
irrigation
fencing
water parts