The Romany Rest

The Romany Rest B&B is a permaculture B&B situated on Prince Edward Island, Canada. It is run by Sandra Storr and husband Fred Alich. 
The main growing areas are a vegetable plot, a mandala garden and a forest garden area. These are supplemented with herbs and salads on the verandah and immediately surrounding the house (since these are used the most frequently). 
Although not yet off-grid, there is solar hot water and solar pool heating and two small wind projects are underway. A passive solar and energy-efficient retrofit has been undertaken which has brought about significant energy savings. Sandra and Fred also use and demonstrate low-tech ideas like solar cooking and dehydrating.
With 5 acres and just 2 people to look after it, the entire system needs to be efficient & low maintenance, although few mechanical tools are used. To save some time, sheep are used for grazing to reduce mowing, hens and ducks help with pest control and fertilising, mulching reduces hours of weeding & watering and a soaker hose on a timer reduces time for watering and saves on water. Xeric landscaping and mulching virtually removes the need for watering, so we we only water the polytunnel and the vegetables areas in very dry spells.
The growing areas are small-scale, intensive and highly productive, leaving some land free to go wild and space for tree-planting. Diversity of species is encouraged by using companion planting and guilds, adding animals and leaving wild areas to attract wild animals, birds & pollinators.
==What is being done at the Romany Rest==
*Forest Gardening (small-scale agroforestry)
*Permanent planting
*Small amount of coppicing using native species wherever possible
*Permanent plantings of fruit & vegetables
*Organic growing
*Use of appropriate energy
*“perennializing” annuals by seeding, cuttings, etc.
*Using mulches to reduce weeding and watering
*Aiming for a no dig/till garden
*Crop rotation
*Diversity of Species
*Grazing with sheep (only three!)
*Preserving food by drying, root cellering and canning (using solar and wood where possible)
*Planting crops like dry bush beans and peas which preserve naturally
*Using Fungi (mushroom logs, wild fungi, cultivated, soil conditioners)
*Grow and use Medicinal Herbs
*Planting to attract birds, bees, butterflies & hummingbirds to assist in pollination.
*Companion planting/Guilds.
*Using living mulch, e.g. nasturtiums,
*Seed Saving
*Composting
*Hedgerow/windbreak planting 
*Mandala garden
*Use dynamic accummulator plants which extract useful minerals from the soil to help feed other plants
*Xeric gardening - planning large areas of garden which require little or no watering
*Use structures and plants to provide summer shading and cooling
*Use passive solar techniques for winter heating and summer cooling
*Lawn reduction (bit by bit - oh it isn’t easy!)
==Dynamic accumulators used at the Romany Rest==
(Planted in the guild or used as a green manure.)
Name of Plant
What it Does
Alder (a natural local "weed")
Nitrogen Fixer
Alfalfa
Nitrogen fixer, accumulator of Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorous and Potassium plus the young growth is delicious and nutritious
Bladderwrack and other seaweed from the local beach
Iodine, Magnesium & Iron
Borage (usually seeds itself)
Silica, Potassium and those beautiful blue flowers
Bracken grows naturally about the place
Potassium, Phosphorus, Manganese, Iron, Copper. A lot of people here eat the fiddlehead greens from the wild ostrich fern
Carrot Leaves
Magnesium, Potassium.
Chives
Calcium. Clumps everywhere!
Clovers
Nitrogen, Phosphorus. These were planted by the previous farmer after a grain crop, so are prolific on the property
Comfrey
Silica, Nitrogen, Magnesium, Calcium, Potassium, Iron
Dandelion
Sodium, Silica, Magnesium, Calcium, Potassium, Phosphorous, Iron, Copper. 
Garlic
Sulphur, Fluorine, Manganese
Lamb's Quarters (grows wild here)
Nitrogen, Calcium, Potassium, Phosphorous, Manganese. These are a local "weed". (can be added to green smoothies.
Lemon Balm
Phosphorus
Lupins (a prolific wild flower on Prince Edward Island)
Nitrogen, Phosphorus
Marigold
Phosphorus
Mint
Magnesium, Potassium
Salad Burnet
Sodium, Sulphur, Magnesium, Calcium, Iron. It self-seeds very well.
Sorrel
Sodium, Calcium, Phosphorous
Summer & Winter Savory
Potassium
Strawberry Leaves
Iron
Yarrow
Magnesium, Potassium, Phosphorus, Copper
"Guilds" of plants have been designed which work together very well in the local climate. In each planting guild there is an attempt to incorporate the following components: Food plants, Nitrogen fixers, dynamic accumulators, groundcover/living mulch (if not available then organic mulch), Climbers, support for climbers, protection (insect repellents, attracting predators, thorny barriers), attractors for pollinators (e.g. flowers, water, seeds, perching places) and green manures.
==Elements of the Romany Rest Permaculture System==
1. Buildings and Structures
Element
Needs
Products
Intrinsic Factors
House
Heating, Water, Power, Sewage, Cleaning, Maintenance
Shelter, Warmth, Living Space, Business Premises
Century Home, South-facing, Insulated, Basement
Animal Shed
Straw, Nesting, Water
Shelter for hens, ducks, sheep, chicks
Secure, Insulated, Shaded
Pasture
Rain, Sunshine
Pasture, Food, shade
Fenced, Shaded Areas, Ample Grass
Shed
Maintenance
Storage
Wood Construction
Cottage
Heatin, Water, Power, Sewage, Cleaning, Maintenance
Income
Bedsitting Room sleeps 4+, Kitchen, Bathroom
Polytunnel
Sun, shade, water, fertilizer, weeding
Extends Growing Season
8 x 15’, drip irrigation
Outdoor Furnace
Wood, Maintenance
Heat, Hot Water, Emissions, Wood Ash, Charcoal
Quite Efficient
Fencing
Maintenance
Protection, Support
Wire and Wood
Indoor Cookstove
Scrap Wood, Cleaning
Heat, Wood Ash, Emissions (small), Cooking, Hot Water, Boiling Water, Humidity, cheese and yoghurt making, bread rising, clothes drying, comfort
Heat rises to bedroom above, fan takes heat into dining room, Ecofan, pans of hot water for thermal mass
Verandah
Maintenance, Water
Cool, bug-free, relaxing space, entertaining, growing space, passive solar gains/td>
South facing, cool in summer (trees), large reflectors in winter, direct access from kitchen
Hedges
Seedlings, Sunlight, Rain, Natural Mulch, Fertiliser
Wind Barrier, Protection, Animal Barrier, Wildlife Habitat, Some Food, Some Firewood, Craft materials, Privacy
Not yet all well established
Well
Adequate supply of water from water table, occasional disinfection
Water to house and yard
Water softener, filtration system and UV lamp installed
Septic Tank
Emptying (Rare)
Nutrients and water to surrounding area, Sewage disposal
Tank and Septic Field
Swimming Pool
Pump for circulation and oxygenation, filter, chemicals (required by environmental health department)
Relaxation, recreation, exercise, guest attraction, temperature stabilization, reflects sun’s rays, humidity, fire barrier, ice, emergency water supply
100,000 litres
Solar Hot Water
Sunshine and Pump
Approx 66% house & B&B hot water
Pump is Solar PV
Solar Pool Heater
Sunshine and Pump
Warm Pool Water if Sun shines
Sungrabber system about 80% of surface area of pool. If sun shines it works really well
Rear Screen Room
Maintenance
Cooking, eating, bug-free zone, relaxation, entertaining
Houses freezer, protects from North Winds in Winter
2. Animals
Element
Needs
Products
Intrinsic Factors
Hens
Food, water, shelter, protection, dust, grit, air, companions
Manure, eggs, heat, meat, gas, feathers, pest control, scratching, reducing vegetation, guest attraction, fertilized mulch from straw bedding
Rhode Island Reds, Bantams, Plymouth Barred Rocks, Rooster
Ducks
Food, drinking water, bathing water, shelter, protection, air, companions
Manure, eggs, heat, meat, gas, feathers, pest control, reducing vegetation, guest attraction, fertilized mulch from straw bedding
2 Ducks and 2 Drakes (Francis Drake and Charley Drake)
Sheep
Food, water, shelter, protection, companions, Health Care (worming, foot clipping)
Manure, wool, meat, milk, guest attraction, grazing, fertilized mulch from bedding
2 Suffolks and 1 cross (Hereford?) breed
Ferrel Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Flowers
Pollination, attraction
Wild Meadow and Companion Planting attracts more of them
Hens
Food, water, shelter, protection,dust, grit, air, companions
Manure, egges, heat, meat, gas, feathers, pest control, scratching, reducing vegetation, guest attraction, fertilized mulch from straw bedding
Rhode Island Reds, Bantams, Plymouth Barred Rocks, Rooster
3. Growing Areas
Element
Needs
Products
Intrinsic Factors
Fledgeling Coppice Areas
Seedlings, Sun, Rainwater
Small amounts of wood, craft materials, plant supports, outdoor seats
We only have 5 acres so it will need very careful management
Forest Garden
Sun, Rain, Mulch, Manure, Pest Control, Pruning, weeding
Fruit, vegetables, flowers, herbs, reduces lawn, some wood from prunings
Companion planting guilds, layers
Vegetable Plot
Water, Sun, Mulch, Pest Control, Weeding
Vegetables, seeds, beans, reduces lawn, green manure,
Fertiliser and pest control by hens and ducks
Perennial Beds
Weeding, mulching, rainwater, sun
Flowers, reduces lawn, bee/butterfly/hummingbird forage
Xeric Landscaping
Herbs
Rainwater, sun, mulch
Medicines, Herbs, Bee forage
Wrapped around front of house, Xeric
Mandala Garden
Rainwater, sun, mulch, weeding
Vegetables, Fruit, Medicines, Herbs, Bee forage, green manure
58’ dia, 2600+ sq ft
Tree Nursery
Protection, Mulch
New Trees
Small area fenced with wattle
Wild Meadow
Rainwater, sun
Medicines, Herbs, Bee forage, area of natural biodiversity, woodland regeneration for future supplies of wood and craft materials, observation/learning, relaxing walks, space to sit
1.75 acres at the moment. 2.2 acres will be planted in the woodland regeneration scheme in June
Old Trees
Sunlight, Rainwater
Shade, Perfume, Raises Water Table, Habitat, Mulch, Seedlings, Medicines, Herbs, Bee forage, support for swing, could be used for shingles and cordage
Deciduous
4. People
Element
Needs
Products
Intrinsic Factors
2 + 2 Adults
Air, Water, Food, Medicine, Companions, Shelter, Warmth, Clothing, Hygienic needs, e.g. soap
Work, Excrement, knowledge, crafts, skills, preserved foods, social contact
2 Residents and 2 students in rented rooms in Winter
B&B Guests
Air, Water, Food, shelter, Warmth, Cooling, Amenities, Linens
Income, excrement, kitchen scraps, social contact
Up to 10 per night in Summer
Neighbours
Help & Support, share surplus
Help and Support, share surplus, social interaction
Garden clippings, etc.
==Functions of the Romany Rest Permaculture System==
Each Element has multiple functions
Each Function is supported by a number of elements
Function
Supporting Elements
Food
Forest Garden, Mandala Garden, Vegetable Plot, Hedgerows, Wild Areas, Herbs, Polytunnel, Animals
Forage
Pasture, forest Garden, Mandala, Vegetable Plot, Wild Areas, Herbs
Windbreak
Trees, fences, perennial shrubs, vines
House, chicken house, straw bales
Protection
House, Animal Shed, Fencing
Fire Control
Grassed areas, pool, road, drive, paths
Mulch
Paper, Cardboard, Carpets, Wood chips, grass clippings, seaweed, Forest Garden, Vegetable plot, Mandala
Manure
Green from gardens, other from animals
Fuel
Hedgrows, Neighbours, Fallen Trees, Coppicing
Erosion Control
Trees, Wild Meadow, Fences, Planned Swales, Perennial Planting, Mulch, Lawn
Wildlife Habitat
Trees, Wild Meadow, Plantings, Mulch, Hedgerows
Water Table
Tree Planting, Old Trees, Forest Garden, Hedgerows
Warmth
Outdoor Furnace, Indoor Cookstove, Passive Solar, Solar Water Heating
Social
Verandah, screened porch, swimming pool & deck, House
Business Premises
B&B Rooms, Cottage, Office in House
Propagation
House, polytunnel, gardens
Storage
House, Cottage, Basement, Behind Solar installation, Shed
Income
Crafts, B&B, Preserves, Workshops
Cooking
House, Cottage, Solar Cookers, Woodstove
Water
Well, pool, pond (under construction), rainwater collection system
Guest Attractions
Gardens, Meadow, Animals, Solar Installations, Swimming Pool, Rooms & Cottage
Grazine
Sheep, ducks, hens
Pollination
All gardens, Wild Meadow, Trees
Crafts
Coppice, Forest Garden, Old Trees, Recycling
Social Contact
B&B Guests, Rental Units, Neighbours, Friends
Learning
Everywhere, especially Wild Meadow, Internet
Recreation
Meadow, gardening, swimming pool, beach, internet
Medicines
Wild Meadow, Hedgerows, Trees, Gardens, Herbs