This plan for a property in Iowa aims to provide relatively low-maintenance but highly productive food producing habitat for humans, and wildlife, including deer as an additional wild food source. It aims to boost biodiversity and improve the health of natural ecosystems on the site.
The site is within an ecoregion where a mosaic of bluestem prairie and oak-hickory forest was the typical vegetation type, and though much of the original prairie and forest land has been converted to agriculture, remnants of these ecosystem remains as repositories of biodiversity.
Zone 1
Zone 1 contains the recreational, utility, and growing zones closest to the home, which will be visited most frequently. In this design, this zone comprises:
- The wrap-around porch that I recommend integrating into the home extension.
- An outdoor kitchen area for food preparation and recreation.
- The kitchen garden – primary annual crop producing zone and surrounding planting.
- The greenhouse – space for propagation and perhaps winter growing.
- Chicken tractor and chicken foraging zone (native prairie planting).
- Sauna & Suggested Plunge Pool.
- Prep Area/ Storage Shed, Wood Store & Smoker.
- Areas of native prairie planting.
Kitchen Garden
At the heart of the kitchen garden are 8 beds. I recommend adopting a no-dig approach and creating lasagna beds for these, and for the surrounding beds with their perennial edibles, pollinator attractants etc…
No dig garden beds are built up using layers of organic material that will compost in place. Since we typically add layers of ‘brown’ carbon rich and ‘green’ nitrogen rich material, this is often called a ‘lasagna’ bed. It has layers like the traditional Italian dish.
The suggestions for crops and combinations are just suggestions for spring/early summer planting. I also recommend that you sow winter cover crops/ hardy crops in fall. Examples include winter rye and vetch, field peas, fava beans, kale, other greens with cloche/ row cover protection…
Please also bear crop rotation in mind.
Suggested rotation:
North row beds left to right are 1-4, south row beds left to right are 5-8.
In year 2: Move crops from bed 2 into bed 1, from 3 into 2, 4 into 3, 1 into 4.
Move crops from bed 6 into bed 5, from 7 into 6, 8 into 7, 5 into 8.
Be sure to replenish top dress with homemade compost each spring and maintain a suitable organic mulch through each summer.
Greenhouse
I suggested creating a greenhouse from reclaimed materials or sourcing/purchasing one. Inside, I suggested creating in ground beds and raised movable staging for flexible use throughout the year for seed sowing and propagation. There is also potential to use a greenhouse for year-round growing and eating, especially if you integrate thermal mass, create hot beds, or take other steps to create a warmer and protected growing environment through winter.
Chickens
I suggested housing a small flock of chickens in a moveable coop and run, or chicken tractor as it is sometimes called, that can be moved around the different areas of prairie planting and lawn around the property.
Zone 2
In zone two are areas that will still be visited quite regularly, but not as frequently as the elements within zone one. In this design, zone two elements include:
- Smaller native trees planted along driveways for wildlife and secondary yields.
- A forest garden with fruit trees and diverse understory planting.
- A pond, with fish and useful native aquatic and marginal plants.
- An existing workshop and garage.
Forest Garden
The forest garden is designed to maximise photosynthesis and make the most of the space through layered planting. It mimics the ecological function of a natural forest but includes species for human need as well as for the health of the whole.
Details for the swales and full planting plans for each area were provided to the client along with full plant lists.
Pond Restoration & Improvement
I suggested to the client certain steps for the restoration and improvement of the existing pond on the property, including the addition of aquatic plants (emergent, submerged, floating) to stabilise the shoreline and enhance wildlife habitat.
Zone 3
Zone three is for larger scale enterprises that will need your attention, though likely not as frequently on the whole.
Native Woodland Plan: Goats
More managed areas of native forest, which may be selectively managed for timber and non-timber forest products. No clear cutting, coppicing work, foraging… and ultimately, perhaps selective goat grazing through these areas.
Goats can be an effective tool for managing forested areas, particularly for controlling invasive plant species and promoting biodiversity. Their natural browsing behaviour allows them to target and reduce unwanted vegetation, including shrubs and certain tree saplings, without the need for chemical treatments or heavy machinery.
Hunting Cabin/ Prep Space
I recommended a small hut (wood from site/ reclaimed materials) on this part of the property, on the edge of wilder zones, to serve as a utility space and recreational retreat.
Zone 4/5
These less managed parts of the property are where wildlife will be allowed to thrive, but they also provide additional space for recreation including prairie and mixed woodland areas for camping in quiet solitude, and walking trails.
Deer Habitat – Mosaic Landscape
Large areas of the landscape are dedicated to habitat for deer, to attract them to the property throughout the year. A mosaic landscape for deer refers to a diverse and varied habitat that includes a mix of different vegetation types, land cover, and ecological features, which provide a range of resources such as food, shelter, water, and breeding areas.
A mosaic of different habitats also means more edge– which boosts biodiversity since the edges between different ecosystems are the most productive places.
I have suggested including:
Plantation patches – areas sown with crops deer like to eat (which you can also benefit from as well). E.g. spring/summer – soybeans, cowpeas, clover, chicory, alfalfa… Fall – oats, wheat, winter rye, brassicas… polycultures that have been broadcast as seed mixes are best.
Tree and shrub zones – irregularly shaped, with some areas of thick brush, creating cover for deer and increasing edge for biodiversity. Layered native wild plants as on roadsides or woodland edges.
Fruit and nut trees – native species prioritised for deer attractant areas.
A second pond (which I proposed to the client as an optional addition) would add to the diversity of the deer attractant mosaic landscape by adding an aquatic element. This water in this part of the property would also be good for a wealth of other wildlife.
I also discussed restoration of native woodland and noted that it would be important moving forwards to note existing species in detail, and aim to restore native vegetation for this specific area – an ecoregion originally of prairie and oak-hickory forest.
Riparian Planting
The area of forest along the creek is particularly important since riparian planting is vital for healthy water, and stable banks. As in other areas, remove invasive species from these zones, thin selectively where needed to improve forest health and natural regeneration, and consider additional planting for riparian zone – to improve bank stability along the creek.
If you are interested in discussing a design for your own property, or would like hourly consultancy on any of the elements raised in this case study, please do reach out.
EWSP Consultancy 