design+considerations

In our small site of 3000m² we are going to develop a 3 zones permaculture design: -the more frequently visited in the upper area, -second the less visited orchard area of the lower level and -a more wild almost unmaintained surrounding area and fences.

__Wind__: We are in a very windy area and 400m from the shore which means that the site receives salty air and desydratates the site. Actually very hight cypress trees surround the site. -We are goind to enrich the wind fences with other species than cypress and create a natural greenhouse: covered with climbers and alowing sunlight and aeration -We plan to use a wind mile for energy supply

__Sun__: strong tunisian sun during the summer months

__Water__: In the site there are 2 wells, which we'll use to start up new plantings during the first 2 years and the next years only during exeptionally dry periods. In the same time we will try to slow down the horizontal run off towards the sea and the vertical run off towards the aquifer. -Surface run off: Using a keyline principle and using yeomans decompacting method (only in case of very compact soi and horizontal run-offl), damns (in case of important horizontal run-off because of high precipitations) -Vertical run off: Create top soil missing due to frequent tillage. Locally argile keeps the water in the surface and let it evaporate -Evaporation: A natural greenhouse (with non perssistant climbers) and a stages design (of 7 levels) will limit the loss of water due to poor soil+wind+sun. __Soil__:
 * study the local precipitation per month and per rainfall
 * study soil texture

Trees: 5 almond, 2 pomgrenate, 1 peach 2 agrumes -Need good irrigation and aeration, traditional technique -compagnons: ortie, ail, ciboulette, tanaisie, raifort, citronnelle, capucine 1
 * a.Fruit trees with horizontal roots**

2 fig, deep rooted many barbary fig,swallow rooted which decompress and aerate soil
 * b.Special fruit trees**

1 mimosa,
 * c.Nitrogen fixers**

many cypress around, vertical deep rooted pines, deep rooted
 * d.wind protection, fences and timber**

We are goind to implement a gravity irrigation system with: 1. water storage: water tank, damns and distributed underground storage (jars) 2. water canals: soil canals covered with stones, siphons -seguias: maintenance

Preparation: Out of the site period Permaculture theory and methods related to mediterannean climate: forest garden, earthwork techniques, perrenial species Planning for phase 2: equipement needed Urban farming: testing practicies

Phase 1: Transition period (1 year) Temporary housing and toilette Composting: court term 18 days compost, medium term lombricompost, long term mulching First annual crops Mushroom installation (indoors or outdoors) Earthworks testing Observation design: permanents crops, earthworks, energy

Phase 2: Implementation of the design (1 year) Medium term housing Earthworks Plantings and seedballs Equipement for energy supply

Phase 3: Evaluation and redesign Crops redesign and energy harvesrting