Low-maintenance edible landscape design uses permaculture ethics and techniques to create a mostly self-sustaining ecosystem that works with nature rather than against it. Using patterns found in nature, least disruptive techniques, and well-chosen plants, these gardens are better for the environment, wildlife, and your health than a chemically controlled lawn or rock landscape bed.
After your system is established, it may require less time (and money) than a lawn to maintain. Your major tasks will include pruning, chop-and-drop mulching, managing any invasive plants that show up, protecting your food from animals, and that’s about it (depending on what you plant and how). The ecosystem will take care of everything else, just as it does in nature. As far as all that free, fresh, organic food goes, harvesting it will be work, but so is going to the grocery store.
We are based in Sioux Falls, SD, and our team works throughout the region into Minnesota and Iowa. We also work with designers in other parts of the USA, so don’t hesitate to reach out to us from wherever you are located.
Additional costs:
Depending on the size of your project, cost depends on where you get your plants, how big you get them, what kind of mulch you choose, what kind of fencing/trellises, etc you use, if you need to buy equipment. There is always a trade-off between money and time/labor. Also consider whether you’ll want signage, seating, and other parklike features. If the project is a public food forest, we may be able help with finding grant opportunities for you if there is sufficient time.
This is to demonstrate commitment and to help get everything started. We believe that the initial investment in quality plants and materials, staff time, and volunteer engagement, are all important in the first year for the long term success of the site.
This package includes and funds staff time on-site and behind the scenes, marketing and coordination, planning and coordination of first year volunteer events, volunteer recruitment and training, assistance with partnership development, and a food forest maintenance plan. We will be on-site to direct and work the install, 1 open house and/or community volunteer day mid summer, and an end of season visit/cleanup where we’d ensure everything is prepped for winter and go over how the season went, challenges and successes, and anything else you would like to discuss.
Designs start at $575. You also have the option of hiring our team for just the first year success package portion at $2,300 if you are already working with another designer.
Cost depends on the size of your project, where you get your plants, how big you get them, what kind of mulch you choose, what kind of fencing/trellises, etc. you use, if you need to buy equipment. There is always a trade-off between money and time/labor. Also consider what kind of signage you’ll want, and whether you’ll want seating and other parklike features.
We may be able help with finding grant opportunities for you if there is sufficient time.
To be determined, only if you are far enough outside of our base area.
We have some expertise and plenty of failures to have learned from. We can guide you towards success, helping you avoid failures.
As a 501c3, we can more easily acquire volunteers, tax-deductible donations, have tax exemption, and grant eligibility.
All the benefits of collaboration – we help each other grow and succeed.