posted 9 months ago
Hi Everyone
 First post here - I've been looking for land and learning about permaculture for 1-2 years off and on. I recently found and close in the next couple weeks on a 5 acre plot near Eatonville Washington. Full disclosure, I have barely gardened more then a couple handfuls of herbs and strawberries for the last couple of years and all indoors, I work in technology, and outside of reading I have no clue what I'm doing. The land I bought was completely clear cut, all of the ground is covered with tree tops, stumps, and ruts.
 
 The Land
 The property is 5 square acres on a hill top area approx 40 feet above the surrounding ground, I've been looking for over 2 years and most property around here is full of wetlands, this property has no wetlands on it. It is about a 8% slope facing south-east. 2-3 acres of the land on top is fairly flat, with the remaining being the sloped areas. Its just sitting is such a perfect area (including the amazing mountain views). I've heard the permaculture quotes that no land is a blank slate but this has to be as close to one as you could get, even the dirt has all been turned over and extremely disturbed. 
 
 When the land was forested there was an agreement with the department of natural resources (DNR) to reforest the property, last week 1500 conifers were planted. They have to remain there for 1 growing season for the permit to be closed. Once this is closed out I can file for a single family dwelling exemption allowing me access to build a home and supporting infrastructure on 2 acres.
 
 End Goal
 First off I need to protect the trees from deer, I will be fencing in the 5 acres with a 6 foot tall deer fence and start growing a living fence just outside of it (I am currently thinking a mix of hathorn, hazel, willow, elderbery, and rugosa rose.) 
 
 I would like a path just on the inside of the fence so I could walk the parameter and make sure all the animals on the property are somewhat safe. 
 Zone 4/5
 I would like 2 acres of the land to be a PNW restored natural forest area Im thinking of removing some conifers and replacing them with red cedar, bigleaf maple, red alder, and pacific madrone adding a mix of salmonberry, oregon grape, snowberry, western sword fern, yarrow, oceanspray, lupines, and serviceberry. I am noticing some native swords popping up and some seedlings start to show that I cant identify yet.
 Zone 3/4 
 I would like an additional acre to be orchard guilds / food forest - I havent picked out to much here yet I figured Im pretty far away from this.
 Zone 1/2 
 I essentially dont want a traditional garden at all, I would however love a giant greenhouse either attached or directly next to my home - like a kitchen garden where I can grow most of my normal day to day food veggies. Im not to keen on animals - maybe a couple chickens for the eggs
 
 Learning
 I've picked up Permaculture: A designers manual by bill mollison, The sustainable homestead by angela ferraro fanning, and Im taking the free permaculture course from OSU. 
 
 I have a million questions and will make additional posts for them but I am here to learn so if you have any critiques or things I should go read/study I would love the feedback!
South.png