Hanbilou 涵碧樓 survey, January 17, 9:30-10AM

Looking northwest from park in front of Hanbilou, over water drainage ditch
steps to the right of the building lead down to the area to the side and back
steps leading down to driveway
Patricia walking down the driveway leading to site
driveway connecting to sloped area
Seeded area covered with net tarp


far right edge looking down, drainage ditch to the right
Looking back up the slope and driveway
Peter and Patricia take in the scene; existing trees mostly kept after land filled in with rubble and sandy topsoil
Rubble composition below the site
longer view of flatter area of site
some original vegetation survives
signs of erosion even before any heavy rains
More edge erosion
beautiful flowering Spider Flower 醉蝶花 Cleome spinosa
gardener attempted to plant small bushes on edge
Natural growth, in adjacent undisturbed area only cut back a few times a year
Mix of typical pioneers and other natives
Bamboo creeping in

Near the huolongguo we noticed some run-off (pollution?)

where the slope levels off some and where the site's main water source is on the building
another view down the drainage ditch leading to forest with garden plot adjacent

Return to the site in April 2009

Return to site after three months in April looking down from Patricia's place
More watering, fertilizer and seeds still not working on the slope


Some regrowth, lots of chemical fertilizer and signs of eutrophication

watered area fairing worse than less watered areas
serious erosion of the slope; gardener has added new soil and tried to seed again
water pump/septic?
Sand/silt washed down from the slope
making seed balls - Patricia and Suzi

After six months, the community finally decides to try permaculture with our first seed ball making event.

Patricia holds home-made A-frame level used to map contours
we put in our first terracing line along the contour

Return to the site March 14, 2010

bird's-eye view of restored slope 3/14/2010 (top)
bird's-eye view of restored slope (bottom)
well-used (not necessarily used well) compost tumbler
whole tangerines are removed to the nearby forest (cleave and toss instructions needed)
another view of tumbler
slope top side view
side view looking toward adjacent farm/garden
dog path to the forest below
stable back area, dog path at bottom edge
planned vertical garden area
more planned vertical garden area
endemic 茄苳Bisxhofia javanica Blume trees recently planted along edge
other low bushed (osmanthus) and Taiwan cypress along bottom edge
Patricia monitors the site's changes; papayas and dragon fruit planted slightly more inward.
trap to catch?
looking up restored slope area