A base map is a map of your property and everything that's on it right now. Many properties come with a plot map or architect’s map. This has important information like where your underground pipes are, for instance. It also includes distances which is important when you’re plotting where to put trees that may grow large, or other elements. This map will be used to place your permaculture design on.
If you don’t have a detailed map of your property, you can use google maps. We often use this map especially for clients that live on acreage as often, farms and acreage do not have formal surveys of property lines or other formal mapping. One advantage of google maps is that existing trees show up on the map.
It’s important to know where your underground pipes are so you don’t plant trees over them, or plan a pond in that location. We have had to find our pipes in more than one location, by either making educated guesses and digging for them or using instruments to locate them. If you don't know where they are, make an educated guess, and keep that in mind as you design.
You will need a base map - either google maps or another map of your property to do your design. We’ll walk you through each aspect of the design process and what you will add to this map. It can either be printed out, hand drawn or traced, or you can work with it on the computer if you're comfortable doing that.
You will be adding layers of information to your base map. The best way to keep the map readable is to add this information in layers. This can be done with tracing paper if you're working by hand, or a simple layering program on computer, or having multiple copies of the map (either hard copy or computer).
We design from pattern to detail so at first, you’ll be looking for broad, general patterns for your design.
Hands On Activity
Create a base map, either from a screenshot using google maps, a plot map or hand drawn to scale map. Ensure as much info as possible is on the map such as location of buildings, trees, underground pipes (if possible), driveways, etc. This should reflect what is currently on the site.
(Having more than one copy will be valuable as you make changes and mistakes and use them for different purposes. For example, having one for below ground mapping can be handy especially when the are too many details both above and below ground. Use your judgment.)