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Hi everyone
I have two allotment plots. One of which I was referring to in another post, so to save confusing the issue, I've started a new thread here. This plot is smaller, and more challenging to apply certain principles, but akin to what most people may have as a small back garden, plus it is less rigid in design to my other plot and can be planted more like a forest. Approx 13.5m x 3.5m in size. The longer dimension being in the East - West plane, and sloping slightly downwards at about a 3 deg drop, so about 70cm drop i.e. an east - west facing slope. The location is South East london.
The greenhouse, and curved wall of greengages, are installed, and won't be removed, as this creates a little social area I want to keep. All the plants listed have also been purchased so I would like them to go in (they're all currently about 2-3yrs old). In between all the spaces will be footpaths, and other shrubs and ground cover, as yet to be planted but will be put in according to space and shade requirements.
So the main trees to the west of the greengage wall design is flexible (there is also a small amount of space free to the south of the greenhouse). I've put together a few scenarios. I can't seem to attach images into here so I've set up a folder with 3 different possible scenarios and the Sketchup file: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1IY...QzXufUT-_MR9_6
I've colour coded them based on sun/shade requirements from Martin Crawfords book.
Yellow (Prefers full sun. Tolerates no shade.)
Orange (Prefers full sun. Tolerates light shade (min 4.5hrs direct sun per day))
Green (Prefers full sun. tolerates moderate shade (min 1-2hrs direct sun per day)
Blue (Prefers full sun. Tolerates fairly deep shade. (No direct sun but some indirect light))
None of the plants are that tall, which does create some issues. I have shrubs which will potentially grow to 2.5-3m tall, whilst some dwarf trees will supposedly get to 1 - 1.5m tall which doesn't fit the neat layering or understorey pattern of canopy trees, fruit trees, shrubs, herbs, ground cover etc. There is a height restriction here, so the shrubs are at the top end.
Not sure if it's clear from the images but the plants are (expected height x spread):
Yellow: Siberian pea tree (1.5m x 1m or 5ft x 3.3ft), Dwarf Almond (1m x 1m or 3.3ft x 3.3ft), Dwarf Mulberry (1.5m x 1.5m or 5ft x 5ft)
Orange: Carolina Allspice (2.5 x 2.5m or 8.2ft x 8.2ft), Strawberry tree (arbutus) (1.8m x 1.8m or 6ft x 6ft)
Green: Mountain Pepper shrub (2.5 x 2.5m or 8.2ft x 8.2ft)
Blue: New Zealand Flax (1.2m x 1m or 4ft x 3.3ft), red Currant bush (1.5 x 1m or 5ft x 3.3ft)
Unfortunately I've been over this so many times, I've over-thought it and confused myself. Basically I want to follow forest garden principles such as efficient spacing, consideration of shade/sun requirements, diversity, perennial planting, and nitrogen fixing etc
Any comments gladly appreciated.
I'll attach one of the sketchup models too, encase you have sketchup.
I have two allotment plots. One of which I was referring to in another post, so to save confusing the issue, I've started a new thread here. This plot is smaller, and more challenging to apply certain principles, but akin to what most people may have as a small back garden, plus it is less rigid in design to my other plot and can be planted more like a forest. Approx 13.5m x 3.5m in size. The longer dimension being in the East - West plane, and sloping slightly downwards at about a 3 deg drop, so about 70cm drop i.e. an east - west facing slope. The location is South East london.
The greenhouse, and curved wall of greengages, are installed, and won't be removed, as this creates a little social area I want to keep. All the plants listed have also been purchased so I would like them to go in (they're all currently about 2-3yrs old). In between all the spaces will be footpaths, and other shrubs and ground cover, as yet to be planted but will be put in according to space and shade requirements.
So the main trees to the west of the greengage wall design is flexible (there is also a small amount of space free to the south of the greenhouse). I've put together a few scenarios. I can't seem to attach images into here so I've set up a folder with 3 different possible scenarios and the Sketchup file: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1IY...QzXufUT-_MR9_6
I've colour coded them based on sun/shade requirements from Martin Crawfords book.
Yellow (Prefers full sun. Tolerates no shade.)
Orange (Prefers full sun. Tolerates light shade (min 4.5hrs direct sun per day))
Green (Prefers full sun. tolerates moderate shade (min 1-2hrs direct sun per day)
Blue (Prefers full sun. Tolerates fairly deep shade. (No direct sun but some indirect light))
None of the plants are that tall, which does create some issues. I have shrubs which will potentially grow to 2.5-3m tall, whilst some dwarf trees will supposedly get to 1 - 1.5m tall which doesn't fit the neat layering or understorey pattern of canopy trees, fruit trees, shrubs, herbs, ground cover etc. There is a height restriction here, so the shrubs are at the top end.
Not sure if it's clear from the images but the plants are (expected height x spread):
Yellow: Siberian pea tree (1.5m x 1m or 5ft x 3.3ft), Dwarf Almond (1m x 1m or 3.3ft x 3.3ft), Dwarf Mulberry (1.5m x 1.5m or 5ft x 5ft)
Orange: Carolina Allspice (2.5 x 2.5m or 8.2ft x 8.2ft), Strawberry tree (arbutus) (1.8m x 1.8m or 6ft x 6ft)
Green: Mountain Pepper shrub (2.5 x 2.5m or 8.2ft x 8.2ft)
Blue: New Zealand Flax (1.2m x 1m or 4ft x 3.3ft), red Currant bush (1.5 x 1m or 5ft x 3.3ft)
Unfortunately I've been over this so many times, I've over-thought it and confused myself. Basically I want to follow forest garden principles such as efficient spacing, consideration of shade/sun requirements, diversity, perennial planting, and nitrogen fixing etc
Any comments gladly appreciated.
I'll attach one of the sketchup models too, encase you have sketchup.
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