In La Perla, the common area Libros Libres, has a lot of open space that the team transformed into a useable garden. The plan for this area is to border the outside edges with mangrove trees that can protect the area and help even out the high levels of salt that enter from the breeze of the water.
We worked to carry unused rocks from the ocean to border the garden and create a grey water river. Three planting beds were then created with wood on the beach. This wood is not only being reused, but since it is already used to the salt from the ocean, it will last longer.
Before of Garden Space
After of Garden Space
We then hosted a community day where kids and other residents would help plant the mangrove trees and clean up the area.
After photo of cleaned up area
Jerome helping young boy plant his first tree!
Finca Escuela is a beautiful area that is already filled with a lot of plants including both medicinal and edible. A lot of lemongrass, tobacco, and yuka is grown as well as herbs such as oregano and other vegetables.
In La Perla, there is a storage shed that would be an ideal location for a rainwater harvesting system as well as a nursery planting bed. Although the team did not have time to build an entire gutter system, they did create the plans for it to be used in the future.
Space of Possible Future Garden
SketchUp drawings of future garden