West Braes is a productive family fruit and veg garden using Permaculture design principles to cope with the strong winds and low rainfall of the Scottish east coast.

The back garden has been developed from a 15m x 12m area, which was flat bare ground in 2005. The design incorporates fruit tree guilds, polycultures, perennial and naturalized self-seeding annual vegetables. To combat the drying climate, soil is kept constantly covered by mulch or vegetation and is rarely dug over. A series of paths and beds are arranged in a pleasing curved layout. Perennial vegetables are used to take advantage of specific especially shady or exposed microclimate niches

Garden infrastructure includes a composting area, a 2m x 3m toughened glass greenhouse, and an automated soaker hose irrigation system.

Another part of the garden contains a very small recently developed forest garden area, and 2 chickens. I am starting to experiment with wind and salt tolerant plants to enhance the productivity of the more exposed front garden.

Visitors may also be interested in the house, which demonstrates the eco renovation of a 1950s bungalow, with roof & underfloor insulation, solar thermal panels and wood burning stove with back boiler.

Have you visited West Braes? Please share your experiences with us here.