Big old San Antonio yard - another urban permaculture project

Jan 15, 2020 10:20:33

I've started another project, this time a large one, at my friend Ann's huge yard in a neat old part of San Antonio, Texas. We're first starting with planting xeriscape plants in two large beds along the street in front, then we will move on to a vegetable garden in the back yard, and continue later in the front yard with a patio area adjacent to the front door and a food forest in the largest part of the enormous front yard.

Jan 15, 2020 10:22:42

Here's a "before" shot of the front beds along the street:

Jan 18, 2020 19:16:17

Thanks to my friend's yard guy who did most of the digging, we were able to get the structural plants in the ground today. These form the core of the design, and we'll fill in around them with other things. Next to plant, some small trees.

Feb 08, 2020 19:47:20

A little more progress on this project: Mulched small vegetable garden bed and installed a worm tower.

Mar 08, 2020 13:55:52

Planted Sotol, Agave, and Red Yucca in the larger front bed which had been prepared by some landscaping guys.

Mar 08, 2020 13:57:55

Planted seeds of Tatume Squash, Red Noodle Bean, and Armenian Cucumber in the vegetable garden strip in the backyard.

Oct 15, 2020 18:51:58

Had some problems with Bermuda regrowth in the front beds, and the backyard veg garden kinda died, but I have continued with the project, working more on the front beds, and planting roses for a large rose garden in the front yard.

Oct 15, 2020 18:52:42

Started planting the front yard food forest. Petite Negra Fig and Panache Tiger Fig, Moringa, and two Mexican Sunflowers.

Oct 15, 2020 19:45:36

I learn so much from your projects! Thank you for sharing. I'll be keeping track of them for when we start to plant :)

Do you have a post like this that you did for your own property?

Oct 19, 2020 06:18:51

3 more Figs and 5 additional Moringa planted, alternating along the perimeter. More support plants will be added soon. Esperanza (Tecoma stans) will be the primary support shrub.

Oct 19, 2020 06:27:10

Rebecca Blake wrote:I learn so much from your projects! Thank you for sharing. I'll be keeping track of them for when we start to plant :)

Do you have a post like this that you did for your own property?

Thank you! I haven't been working on my food forest at home for a couple years because of having to be in town taking care of my dad who has Alzheimer's. He's 90 but his general health is so good he's likely to live to 95 or beyond, so I will be here in San Antonio for several more years. Here's my most recent thread about projects at home: https://permies.com/t/132515/permaculture-projects/Ludi-Projects

My current enthusiasm is for the food forest at my friend's house. Her huge yard is perfect for this kind of permaculture makeover.

Oct 21, 2020 10:38:34

Planted three Asian Persimmons and did a little chop and drop around one of them.

Nov 17, 2020 12:30:43

I've planted over 30 trees so far in this yard. Now starting on some beds for annual vegetables.

Dec 07, 2020 07:58:52

Finished the vegetable beds that surround a grove of fruit trees in the interior of the food forest. Now starting another series of beds on the outside of the main path.

Sep 25, 2021 06:02:45

This project has been a huge success. Even though many plants and trees died back during the past winter's big freeze, most things survived. Even a couple of true tropicals which died back to the ground are regrowing from the base. Bananas are doing especially well, one even producing a pup which I transplanted to a new greywater garden at my place.

Sep 25, 2021 06:10:26

I love xeriscape. that's exactly what we did at my previous place. it turned into a tropical food forest jungle without having to water anything, strawberry guavas were one of my favorites.

Sep 25, 2021 06:15:59

Fruits are thriving

Sep 25, 2021 07:39:07

I want to mention what I think has been the key to success in this yard and that is lots and lots of mulch. I've been trying to keep six inches to one foot of mulch (mostly chop and drop, but some woodchips) around each fruiting plant or tree.

Feb 26, 2022 06:26:22

Finished edging this bed, mulched, and planted spring salad vegetables. Cloches cover zinnia seeds. Sticks are to discourage neighborhood cats.

Mar 09, 2022 18:46:06

Finished initial planting of this bed for the spring/early summer season. Salad vegetables and zinnias, with some perennial bunching onions.

Mar 24, 2022 07:22:38

Finished shaping and edging the inside of the south side of the food forest and planted 5 dwarf peach trees.

Mar 24, 2022 07:24:11

It's finally really taking shape.

Dec 01, 2022 13:22:32

A few updates from this year:

May 11, 2023 11:10:51

Tremendous growth!

Aug 09, 2024 16:00:37

Tyler Ludens wrote:Tremendous growth!

This is incredible and such a wonderful walk-thru! Thank you for sharing this. It is very hopeful for me starting our food forest this March. Fingers crossed, knock on wood, etc etc :)

Jul 24, 2025 11:19:08

Update 2025

Aug 15, 2025 16:06:14

Hi Tyler! I'm from Houston, looking for permaculture community in San Antonio, is there anything like that here yet?

Sep 09, 2025 06:05:54

Hi Carmen, sorry it took so long for me to reply. There used to be a permaculture meetup group in San Antonio but I have been out of touch with them for many years. Have you had any success finding a group?

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