realised and ongoing projects
water reservoirs
THE GARDEN ESTATE has natural sweet water springs, which is a big plus in one the driest region of Sri Lanka and provides a basis for the whole project.
A first water reservoir was established in 2011 as one of the initial infrastructure investments on THE GARDEN ESTATE. After we learned more about the importance of water reservoirs in permaculture we started to observe the land for suitable place to implement more “natural” lakes. The land has several springs and due to a natural slope most of the water runs down towards to north western corner of the property. After some planning and consultations with a civil engineer, specialised in reservoir construction a damn was built in October 2014 to store water from the springs as well as collecting rain water to establish a lake that fills up about 1 hectare when being full. Plans worked out very well, the lake filled up with water quickly (and does so with ever raining season), a spill has been installed to let the overflow run down the natural slope further.
The lake is about 2.5 meters deep at the deepest point, but more important is the size of the flooded area in order to moisture the soil and helping to fill up ground water reserves. We already spotted turtles in the lake, hear the frogs “sing” and see ducks coming to take a swim.
We have identified more spots that seem to be natural springs in the western areas of the property and are planning to establish more small lakes, that flow into the bigger lake once the funding situation allows us to do so.
THE GARDEN ESTATE has natural sweet water springs, which is a big plus in one the driest region of Sri Lanka and provides a basis for the whole project.
A first water reservoir was established in 2011 as one of the initial infrastructure investments on THE GARDEN ESTATE. After we learned more about the importance of water reservoirs in permaculture we started to observe the land for suitable place to implement more “natural” lakes. The land has several springs and due to a natural slope most of the water runs down towards to north western corner of the property. After some planning and consultations with a civil engineer, specialised in reservoir construction a damn was built in October 2014 to store water from the springs as well as collecting rain water to establish a lake that fills up about 1 hectare when being full. Plans worked out very well, the lake filled up with water quickly (and does so with ever raining season), a spill has been installed to let the overflow run down the natural slope further.
The lake is about 2.5 meters deep at the deepest point, but more important is the size of the flooded area in order to moisture the soil and helping to fill up ground water reserves. We already spotted turtles in the lake, hear the frogs “sing” and see ducks coming to take a swim.
We have identified more spots that seem to be natural springs in the western areas of the property and are planning to establish more small lakes, that flow into the bigger lake once the funding situation allows us to do so.
coconut plantation
One of the first things when starting to develop THE GARDEN ESTATE was planting a large number of coconut palms. 300 plants were planted in April 2012 and another 350 in April 2013. Unlike most estates in Sri Lanka, we chose to plant the native variety of coconut palms (not the hybrid version) as they are more robust, rather resistant to droughts and will bring a good harvest for about 25 years once they start to fruit. We accepted the little disadvantage of a latter reasonable first harvest, which can be expected after 5-7 years after planting, in comparison with 3-4 years for the hybrid version. Since we decided to establish a diverse garden, we planted the coconut palms double as wide from each other than usual.
One of the first things when starting to develop THE GARDEN ESTATE was planting a large number of coconut palms. 300 plants were planted in April 2012 and another 350 in April 2013. Unlike most estates in Sri Lanka, we chose to plant the native variety of coconut palms (not the hybrid version) as they are more robust, rather resistant to droughts and will bring a good harvest for about 25 years once they start to fruit. We accepted the little disadvantage of a latter reasonable first harvest, which can be expected after 5-7 years after planting, in comparison with 3-4 years for the hybrid version. Since we decided to establish a diverse garden, we planted the coconut palms double as wide from each other than usual.
fruit tree plantation
To establish a diverse edible garden, many kinds of fruit trees were planted in the early stages of the project. As it takes a few years to become mature trees that provide a reasonable harvest, planting those trees early provided an important basis. We planted different varieties of bananas (plantains, kolikutthu, ambul, seeni, ambung; 2500 plants all in all), guava (150), oranges (100), pomegranate (100), avocado (100), mango (50) and cashew (40). The fruit trees are treated with compost and cow dung two times a year. In case the dry season lasts too long the trees are watered through a pipe system and drip irrigation using water from the lake.
To establish a diverse edible garden, many kinds of fruit trees were planted in the early stages of the project. As it takes a few years to become mature trees that provide a reasonable harvest, planting those trees early provided an important basis. We planted different varieties of bananas (plantains, kolikutthu, ambul, seeni, ambung; 2500 plants all in all), guava (150), oranges (100), pomegranate (100), avocado (100), mango (50) and cashew (40). The fruit trees are treated with compost and cow dung two times a year. In case the dry season lasts too long the trees are watered through a pipe system and drip irrigation using water from the lake.
buildings
The main guideline for buildings on THE GARDEN ESTATE is the usage of as many natural building materials as possible to keep the impact on the environment low. Nevertheless we have a very active termite population sharing the place with us, so some concrete is necessary to prevent too much destruction by those ever hungry insects.
The first building was built in 2012 on THE GARDEN ESTATE to provide basic facilities for workers to stay. Besides a very basic kitchen and a storage room it has one room to sleep in and a lovely veranda, where workers can have their lunch breaks in the shade. A little outdoor toilet hut with a shower is just next to that building. The house is built completely out of timber and clay and has a roof of palm leaves.
There is another small clay house with just one room for workers to stay in. Due to the termite activity these buildings currently need some repair work, but are still ok to stay in.
A bigger family house war started in 2014 and finished in March 2015. Suresh did the design and calculations all on his own, although he is not a civil engineer, so we hope the construction will hold for a while... ;)
Apart from the concrete foundation and six concrete pillars the whole house was build using timber, bamboo, clay and a few clay bricks. The roof is tiled with clay tiles and is overhanging the walls to protect them against the monsoon rain and provide some shade. One important feature when planning the house and it's place on the property was to consider the sun and wind directions to enable a natural circulation of air as it can get really hot in the area. A local builder helped to transform Suresh's plan into the beautiful house, a craftsmen from the village did all windows and doors for us.
There are three rooms plus a lounge, a kitchen, an indoor bathroom and outdoor shower. Nilantha and his family have moved into the new house in March 2015, which give us the chance to welcome volunteers at THE GARDEN ESTATE now.
The main guideline for buildings on THE GARDEN ESTATE is the usage of as many natural building materials as possible to keep the impact on the environment low. Nevertheless we have a very active termite population sharing the place with us, so some concrete is necessary to prevent too much destruction by those ever hungry insects.
The first building was built in 2012 on THE GARDEN ESTATE to provide basic facilities for workers to stay. Besides a very basic kitchen and a storage room it has one room to sleep in and a lovely veranda, where workers can have their lunch breaks in the shade. A little outdoor toilet hut with a shower is just next to that building. The house is built completely out of timber and clay and has a roof of palm leaves.
There is another small clay house with just one room for workers to stay in. Due to the termite activity these buildings currently need some repair work, but are still ok to stay in.
A bigger family house war started in 2014 and finished in March 2015. Suresh did the design and calculations all on his own, although he is not a civil engineer, so we hope the construction will hold for a while... ;)
Apart from the concrete foundation and six concrete pillars the whole house was build using timber, bamboo, clay and a few clay bricks. The roof is tiled with clay tiles and is overhanging the walls to protect them against the monsoon rain and provide some shade. One important feature when planning the house and it's place on the property was to consider the sun and wind directions to enable a natural circulation of air as it can get really hot in the area. A local builder helped to transform Suresh's plan into the beautiful house, a craftsmen from the village did all windows and doors for us.
There are three rooms plus a lounge, a kitchen, an indoor bathroom and outdoor shower. Nilantha and his family have moved into the new house in March 2015, which give us the chance to welcome volunteers at THE GARDEN ESTATE now.
renewable energies
THE GARDEN ESTATE is off-grid, so all electricity consumed is produced through renewable energy sources. We currently run a small wind turbine as well as two solar panels, the energy produced is stored in car batteries.
A growing energy demand will be met by installing more small scale renewable power units. Working in the field of renewable energies in Germany makes a clean energy supply for THE GARDEN ESTATE a matter of personal importance.
THE GARDEN ESTATE is off-grid, so all electricity consumed is produced through renewable energy sources. We currently run a small wind turbine as well as two solar panels, the energy produced is stored in car batteries.
A growing energy demand will be met by installing more small scale renewable power units. Working in the field of renewable energies in Germany makes a clean energy supply for THE GARDEN ESTATE a matter of personal importance.
papaya plantation
The papaya plantation is a first pilot project to start a cooperation with Cosmoveda. The papaya plants were raised in our own nursery from hybrid seeds as it is very difficult to find native varieties. Fruits of native papaya varieties usually have a softer skin which makes it difficult to transport them properly when rood conditions are not very well. Anyhow we will continue to look for native varieties for future plantations to keep those varieties alive.
The plantation was established in the south western corner of THE GARDEN ESTATE, the highest and driest point of the property, which was chosen because papaya plants do not like wet feet. The plant holes were prepared with the help of our first volunteer Ana from Malta, who got her hands dirty, preparing the holes with cow dung. The papayas were planted in May 2015 and protected with a layer of grass, the mulch shall prevent the soil from getting too dry and keep weeds around the news plants low.
The first harvest can be expected after one year, so roughly in April If things run well, Cosmoveda intents to buy the fruits from THE GARDEN ESTATE and produce tasty chutneys and fruit drinks.
The papaya plantation is a first pilot project to start a cooperation with Cosmoveda. The papaya plants were raised in our own nursery from hybrid seeds as it is very difficult to find native varieties. Fruits of native papaya varieties usually have a softer skin which makes it difficult to transport them properly when rood conditions are not very well. Anyhow we will continue to look for native varieties for future plantations to keep those varieties alive.
The plantation was established in the south western corner of THE GARDEN ESTATE, the highest and driest point of the property, which was chosen because papaya plants do not like wet feet. The plant holes were prepared with the help of our first volunteer Ana from Malta, who got her hands dirty, preparing the holes with cow dung. The papayas were planted in May 2015 and protected with a layer of grass, the mulch shall prevent the soil from getting too dry and keep weeds around the news plants low.
The first harvest can be expected after one year, so roughly in April If things run well, Cosmoveda intents to buy the fruits from THE GARDEN ESTATE and produce tasty chutneys and fruit drinks.
future projects
milk cows and barn
With the help of a crowdfunding campaign we would like to raise enough money to buy more cows and build a proper barn for them. The milk shall be sold at the local market. Please read more about that project and see our film "Rathie nees love" here.
With the help of a crowdfunding campaign we would like to raise enough money to buy more cows and build a proper barn for them. The milk shall be sold at the local market. Please read more about that project and see our film "Rathie nees love" here.
chicken
There are a few hens and a cock living at THE GARDEN ESTATE already, but we would like to bring in more and sell the eggs. There is a huge demand for organic eggs in Sri Lanka that cannot be met at all so far. Our friends Olaf and Claudia from Germany are experts in poultry farming and run their own organic farm. They are ready to help us with their knowledge on site. If our crowdfinding for the cows is successful, this seems to be very good project to start the next campaign.
There are a few hens and a cock living at THE GARDEN ESTATE already, but we would like to bring in more and sell the eggs. There is a huge demand for organic eggs in Sri Lanka that cannot be met at all so far. Our friends Olaf and Claudia from Germany are experts in poultry farming and run their own organic farm. They are ready to help us with their knowledge on site. If our crowdfinding for the cows is successful, this seems to be very good project to start the next campaign.
development of second property
So far we have kept the second part of the property, that is adjacent to the Wilpattu Forest Reserve just as is it. But in order to get a long term lease agreement we need to start some development work here as well. Since we would like to keep the land as a buffer zone of the forest, we will start planting more timber and fruit trees as well as a few coconut palms as well. A friend of ours in Germany is intending to finance the first 1000 trees, which provides a good basis to start soon.
So far we have kept the second part of the property, that is adjacent to the Wilpattu Forest Reserve just as is it. But in order to get a long term lease agreement we need to start some development work here as well. Since we would like to keep the land as a buffer zone of the forest, we will start planting more timber and fruit trees as well as a few coconut palms as well. A friend of ours in Germany is intending to finance the first 1000 trees, which provides a good basis to start soon.
eco tourism
We would like to share the tranquility and beauty of THE GARDEN ESTATE with visitors and volunteers, therefore eco tourism facilities are planned. Our guests shall experience the awesome combination of a farm stay and outdoor adventure in cabanas, tree houses and camp sites next to the Wilpattu Forest Reserve.
We would like to share the tranquility and beauty of THE GARDEN ESTATE with visitors and volunteers, therefore eco tourism facilities are planned. Our guests shall experience the awesome combination of a farm stay and outdoor adventure in cabanas, tree houses and camp sites next to the Wilpattu Forest Reserve.