A Family Garden Brought Back to Life
Some gardens carry stories long before a designer arrives. This small 4 × 5 meter backyard in Saint-Aubin-Sauges, Switzerland, was once tended by the client’s grandfather. When the client reached out, their wish was simple: to bring the land back to life through thoughtful permaculture garden design.
This case study shares how we transformed a compacted, sloped, nutrient-poor backyard into a thriving edible ecosystem using permaculture principles and the natural resources already on the property.
It proves that regeneration doesn’t require acres of land or expensive infrastructure. Just intention, good design, and reconnection to the land.
Project Overview
Location: Saint-Aubin-Sauges, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
Altitude: 450 m
Climate: Cfb — temperate oceanic (mild, humid, moderated by Lake Neuchâtel)
Garden Size: 20 m² (4 m × 5 m)
Original Use: Former family vegetable garden
Goals:
- Revive the family garden
- Build fertile soil
- Grow food with minimal watering
- Create structure and beauty
- Design with existing resources
- Keep maintenance low
Design Objectives
Together with the client, we defined a clear vision:
1. Build Soil, Build Life
Prioritize water retention, organic matter, and microbial activity.
2. Maximize Diversity in a Small Space
Four raised beds, an orchard strip, berries, herbs, and climbing crops.
3. Use On-Site Materials First
Wood, leaves, droppings, compost inputs — everything already present on the land.
4. Blend Perennials + Annuals
A design that grows richer each year.
5. Keep Maintenance Low
Create a garden that is abundant but doesn’t take long to maintain
6. Create a Calm, Productive, Meaningful Space
A garden that reconnects people to land.
Understanding the Site
Before designing, we analyzed the land:
Sun Exposure
Using seasonal sun-angle data:
- Summer: 6:50–19:30, angle ~62°
- Winter: 8:15–16:15, angle ~19°
- Partial shading from nearby structures
- Strong morning light, softer afternoon light
Soil Profile
- Sandy Loam (60% sand, 33.3% silt, 3.3% clay)
- pH 6.5–7
- Organic matter: 3.3% → poor water retention
- Excellent drainage, but prone to drying
- Low biology
Slope
- Between 15–18%
- Identified potential erosion risk during heavy rainfall
Water
- Maximum rainfall: 120 mm in 24h
- Equivalent to 2400 liters falling on this tiny garden
- High infiltration potential with proper organic matter
Understanding these patterns shaped every decision in the design.
Resources Available On-Site
Before buying anything, we made an inventory of what could be reused:
- Wood for chips or biochar
- Kale leaves
- Rabbit droppings
- Chicken droppings
- Saved soil from old beds
- Hay
- Leaves
- Small woody debris
These materials became the foundation of the soil-building and composting strategy.
The Permaculture Garden Design
1. Four Regenerative Garden Beds
The 20 m² space was reorganized into:
- Bed 1: Berries + herbs
- Bed 2: Vertical crops
- Bed 3: Annual vegetables
- Bed 4: Mixed polyculture
- Orchard strip: Pear, peach, nectarine
Clear walking paths separate the beds to prevent compaction and improve water flow.
2. Sheet Mulching + Soil Building
To regenerate the sandy loam and increase water retention, we layered:
- Cardboard (1–2 cm)
- Blocks weeds
- Encourages fungal networks
- Manure (2–5 cm)
- Boosts nitrogen for microbial activity
- Mulch (25–45 cm)
- Wood chips, leaves, yard waste
- Major water-retention layer
- Compost (2–7 cm)
- Adds microbial diversity
- Straw top layer
- Protects soil from the sun and rain impact
This system mimics forest-floor ecology.
3. A Simple, Effective Compost System
We built a layered compost using the 10-bucket method:
- 5–6 buckets of carbon (wood chips, hay, browns)
- 3–4 buckets of green (kitchen scraps, grass clippings, green leaves)
- 1 bucket high-nitrogen (manure)
- Water to moisten between layers
This ensures a balanced C:N ratio and a hot compost capable of producing rich humus within weeks.
4. Planting Plan for the Permaculture Garden
My client had a clear list of fruits and vegetables that they ate often, so we focused on those as the basis of our planning. A mix of annuals, perennials, berries, herbs, and fruit trees ensures year-round interest and productivity.
Bed 1: Perennial Berries & Herbs
- Blueberries
- Strawberries
- Elderberry
- Rhubarb
- Sage
- Thyme
- Rosemary
Bed 2: Vertical & Climbing Plants
- Pole beans
- Cucumbers
- Melons
- Squash
- Zucchini
Bed 3: Classic Annual Vegetables
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Lettuce
- Onions
- Celery
- Cabbage family
Bed 4: Heat-Loving Crops + Herbs
- Eggplant
- Tomatoes
- Basil
- Peppers
- Wild oregano
Orchard Strip
- Pear
- Peach
- Nectarine
This combination creates a dense and abundant mini-ecosystem.
5. Inviting and Integrating Wild Plants
Instead of removing everything, we highlighted the ecological value of what was already growing:
- Nettle: Compost booster, mineral-rich tea
- Yarrow: Medicinal, compost activator
- Wild oregano: Incredible culinary herb
- Mint: Pollinator magnet
- Cassis: High-antioxidant perennial
This approach respects the existing ecology and reduces unnecessary disturbance.
Implementation: Step by Step
- Clearing and collecting on-site materials
- Marking out beds and paths
- Sheet-mulching
- Building compost piles
- Planting fruit trees and berries first
- Layering annual beds with compost and straw
- Planting annuals and herbs
- Adding vertical supports for climbing crops
- Mulching again for moisture retention
- Use small outbuildings for extra rain capture
The transformation happened over a few weeks; simple, effective, and budget-friendly.
Final Result: A Living, Abundant Backyard Ecosystem
What was once a neglected patch is now:
- A thriving food garden
- A carbon-rich soil system
- A pollinator-friendly space
- A living tribute to the client’s grandfather
- A regenerative system that improves year after year
Most importantly, it became a place of connection: to land, to food, to family memory.
This is the heart of permaculture garden design: reconnecting people with the landscapes that nourish them.
Key Takeaways
- Small spaces can produce abundant food.
- Soil-building & water retention is the foundation of every good design.
- Using what you have is powerful and cost-effective.
- Perennials create long-term stability and ease.
- A garden becomes meaningful when aligned with the story of the people who care for it.
Work With Me
If you’re dreaming of transforming your backyard, homestead, or unused outdoor space into a regenerative, edible landscape, I’d love to help.
→ Book a discovery call
→ Attend a workshop at Jardin Feuilles de Vie
Together, we can create a living landscape that feeds you and future generations!