Mastodawn

The #FoodForest Tower is designed for schools, so I've been working out the different working heights of the different gabion levels

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And what's so nice is that there are a whole load of different combinations of gabion shapes, sizes, heights etc we could use.

These are 5 circularish gabions with one big tower in the middle.

I used my open licensed #ForestGarden Spreadsheet to choose some shrubs https://grwd.cc/forest-garden-spreadsheet

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And here's a prototype, where some of the ideas came from -- circular gabions constructed by Preseli Landscapes for a job in Aberteifi.

All inspired by gardener John Little https://www.
grassroofcompany.co.uk/

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old_school 6d ago

@jaker there are some very impressive samples - I guess I have to revisit your site several times to conclude on what I will build at my home

@old_school oh, that is John Little's site. He's also on Instagram, always creating new things. My old portfolio is far more trad #ForestGarden https://www.natureworks.org.uk/portfolio/

Portfolio

Wildlife & Forest Garden Design

Lisa 🦔Mar 22

@jaker this is so beautiful!!!

I do have some concerns to point out about the bat box though, if that’s something that you or the artist are open to talking about. 🖤🦇

@mycrowgirl oh absolutely, this was a sketch they did without much of a brief. I spoke with North Ceredigion Bat group the other day, about different bat species & habitat, so very open to suggestions

Lisa 🦔Mar 22

@jaker I think in your region the pipistrelles and myotis/vesper bats are most common? Both of those would love a multichambered bat house like this.

I think the biggest concern I would have for this design is how close the entrance is from the “ground” immediately below. Bats are quite vulnerable to nest predators like rats and cats if the entrance to their roost is within jumping distance. (At least you probably don’t have as many snakes to worry about as we do! 😅)

Basically the predators in the area quickly learn that they need only to wait below for the meal to present itself like clockwork.

The other aspect is that bat faeces/guano is a wonderful amendment to compost piles, but allowing it to fall directly on plants is a twofold concern. First it can burn more delicate plants, especially if you end up with significant accumulation if your bat house is very popular. The other possible concern is that without spending time in a hot compost pile, the microorganisms in the droppings could be a worrisome for your edible plants.

I have a few links to general bat house design considerations but since they’re southeastern US focused your bat orgs in Wales will absolutely have more tailored/specific recommendations.

@mycrowgirl thank you so much, this is brilliant! ☺️ Yes, pipistrelles are the most common apparently (we had a few hundred in the roof of our old house). The actual height of the final tower is going to be 3 metres apparently, with no access for cats! And yes, snakes won't be a problem in West Wales. Thanks for the heads up about the guano as well. This sketch is for the Wild Tower, so no perennials about, but possibly won't have bat box on perennial veg version. thank you again

Lisa 🦔6d ago

@jaker I really look forward to seeing how the project turns out!

jaker 4d ago

@mycrowgirl the building is starting!

Lisa 🦔4d ago

@jaker

I know it’s just the first steps but it’s already beautiful!

Cedar Fen Farm Cedar Fen Farm Mar 23

@jaker

Really cool. I have been thinking of building corner piers for a fence out of the field stone laying around. Stone stacked in wire fence surrounds is a common method around here. I could make them habitats like this. Do you know how deep they did the foundation and if it was stack stone or concreted?

@oldoldcojote it's being built at the moment, next door to a builders merchants in Aberaeron, Ceredigion, Wales. But I'm not directly involved in design and build, so don't know the details. Will be catching up with the artist (Rebecca Wyn Kelly) over next couple of days, will see if I can get construction details

Cedar Fen Farm Cedar Fen Farm 6d ago

@jaker

Thx. I love stonework. ☺️

@jaker FAO @andy

@jaker Very cool, very creative, and very practical. Definitely the sort of thing that would fit in the project I'm working on (hence @JoBee tagging me in). Not sure it would survive the Shetland wind though.

@andy @JoBee the construction is really interesting, I think the artist is setting a metal pole in concrete in the ground, and then building the gabions around that. Alas, I'm not directly involved in the design and build, so I will be finding out about it as it happens. The artist's name is Rebecca Wyn Kelly

Ma Quest

2d ago

@jaker This is such a great thread! Thanks for posting. Tagging for an early #SolarPunkSunday 🌱