Base Mapping

Base Mapping

So this was my first time using Google earth. Of course I’ve used google maps, mostly to look up fishing spots and for driving directions. Instantly, I ran into a road block. I’ve been doing my school work on my work computer and there are safety features that block certain programs. Google earth being one of them, not to be out done I browed a friends lap top to download the program.I was quite impressed with the features. Especially being able to measure distances and combined distances.

Base Mapping

This is what my backyard looks like, it’s heavily wooded and instead of grass mainly weeds and ferns grow. It’s pretty much shaded because of the large pine and oak canopy. What little light makes it to the ground is highly dispersed. Another feature of the yard is that it heavily slopes from front to back. I’m not sure how much but if I used an A frame level I could estimate the difference. In the very front of the yard there is a nice flour bead surrounded by stone. I’ve put them on the map with pink flowers. Side note this picture was taken at 4pm

Base Mapping The only water is at the front of the house. This house is slightly unusual as the house slopes from front to back with the only gutters at the front of the house. Also, the only water access is one hose located near the main entrance, again at the front.

Base Mapping

As stated previously the property has extremely large trees and I often wondered how tall they are. Google was quite good at measuring distance and I’m not sure how a satellite could measure height looking straight down but in chapter five they describe a way of using a stick about 20-40 inches long and holding it a arm’s length in front of you and then measuring as if the tree was on the ground. Pretty ingenious!

Base Mapping Here is my base map with 1 inch equaling 20 feet. As you can see it’s quite the large area. In light green (on the boarder) is quite the dense new forest. The yard has several very large and old pines and one oak. After looking at the map I started to think about what I could see and what I couldn’t. Mainly, the roots of the trees and if this would pose a problem. Would I have to have raised beds because of the roots and what kind of damage would I cause if I planted too close to them. Also, would small fruit trees get enough light to grow?

Base Mapping

After making the map I started to wonder aboutThe Wheel of Permaculture Action and how to implement them into the yard. How to catch and store energy, getting a yield, choosing small and slow, and of course trying not to waste. I’m looking forward to filling in the pieces and seeing how they all fit together