shows that it does not achieve 60% in terms of carbon
and calorie crops in the main season, but comes close
with 50%. Summer and winter compost crops will
move it closer to producing sufficient compost
materials over the whole annual period. In the late
winter/early spring of the first year, plant an
additional 50 square feet of wheat and the design
moves much closer to being sustainable while
producing additional calories in a small space. The 50-
square-feet sections of wheat, corn and summer
vegetables can be rotated every year.
- Vary your vegetables over time to get to know new
crops.
- Garlic can be added in the design to add more calories
in the 30% category. Remember that the hardneck
varieties: Polish Jenn and German Porcelin can
produce a lot of mature organic matter—30 pounds,
plus a lot of edible bulbs.
- The garden plan becomes more sustainable by adding
more compost crops. Consider adding a perennial area
for alfalfa and/or medium red clover. Take advantage
of the area around the fruit tree and plant these crops
underneath.
ENDNOTES
1 See Ecology Action’s The Backyard Homestead, Mini-Farm and
Garden Log Book for miniature mini-greenhouse and shade-netting
house plans.
