realised and ongoing projects
water reservoirs - completed
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 - completed
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. The farm is now fully complete with coconut plantation and has about 700 plants.
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. The farm is now fully complete with coconut plantation and has about 700 plants.
fruit tree plantation - completed
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 mainly native fruit plants for this region, which are native orange, avocado, mango, guava, cashew nuts and experimental cinnamon bushes. The fruit trees are treated with compost and cow dung two times a year and as much as mulch as possible to face the long and hard dry conditions in the region. 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 mainly native fruit plants for this region, which are native orange, avocado, mango, guava, cashew nuts and experimental cinnamon bushes. The fruit trees are treated with compost and cow dung two times a year and as much as mulch as possible to face the long and hard dry conditions in the region. 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 - completed
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, cement and bricks were 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. It has 3 rooms 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.
A bigger family house was started in 2014 and finished in December 2023. 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... ;)
Main part of the house is constructed with clay and planted with cement to keep the termites away and protects it from the monsoon rain.
There are four rooms open lounge, a kitchen, indoor bathrooms and outdoor shower and a large terrace. Suresh's family have moved into the new house in November 2019, 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, cement and bricks were 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. It has 3 rooms 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.
A bigger family house was started in 2014 and finished in December 2023. 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... ;)
Main part of the house is constructed with clay and planted with cement to keep the termites away and protects it from the monsoon rain.
There are four rooms open lounge, a kitchen, indoor bathrooms and outdoor shower and a large terrace. Suresh's family have moved into the new house in November 2019, which give us the chance to welcome volunteers at THE GARDEN ESTATE now.
renewable energies (going off-grid) - completed
THE GARDEN ESTATE is off-grid, so all electricity consumed is produced through solar panels. We currently have 2x5kW battery systems with full inverter to store energy. 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 solar panels. We currently have 2x5kW battery systems with full inverter to store energy. Working in the field of renewable energies in Germany makes a clean energy supply for THE GARDEN ESTATE a matter of personal importance.
milk cows and barn - completed
With the help of a crowdfunding campaign we managed to raise enough money to buy more cows and build a proper barn for them. It took a while to realise the project, however, now we have 5 cows and bull, expecting 2 new members of our cow family in this year. The milk is now 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 managed to raise enough money to buy more cows and build a proper barn for them. It took a while to realise the project, however, now we have 5 cows and bull, expecting 2 new members of our cow family in this year. The milk is now sold at the local market.
Please read more about that project and see our film "Rathie nees love" here.
chicken - completed
We have decided to have few hens and a cock living at THE GARDEN ESTATE. The main purpose of having hens and cocks in the farm is to produce enough eggs for our consumption and bring more diversity to the farm.
We have decided to have few hens and a cock living at THE GARDEN ESTATE. The main purpose of having hens and cocks in the farm is to produce enough eggs for our consumption and bring more diversity to the farm.
Campsite - completed
We have created camp site next to the lake, where the visitors can enjoy the silence and the great view of the national park. The visitors can use the lake for swimming. The campsite has a hut facing the lake with a small terrace.
We have created camp site next to the lake, where the visitors can enjoy the silence and the great view of the national park. The visitors can use the lake for swimming. The campsite has a hut facing the lake with a small terrace.
future projects
Expanding Campsite - completed
We are planning to build a A-frame wooden hut where 4 people can be accommodated. The construction is expected to start in the middle of 2024.
We are planning to build a A-frame wooden hut where 4 people can be accommodated. The construction is expected to start in the middle of 2024.
forest next to the lake
We would like to share the tranquility and beauty of THE GARDEN ESTATE. We are creating a small forest next to the lake and the campsite. We would start planting more timber to bring more shade near the lake and to bring more bio diversity into the land. Through this project we would like to become carbon neutral by 2030.
We would like to share the tranquility and beauty of THE GARDEN ESTATE. We are creating a small forest next to the lake and the campsite. We would start planting more timber to bring more shade near the lake and to bring more bio diversity into the land. Through this project we would like to become carbon neutral by 2030.