Northampton Community Garden - Our Location

A few weeks ago, when the weather was much colder, we took a trip to the Northampton Community Garden to get an idea of the area we will be creating a system for. A key component of appropriate technology is, well, its appropriateness in a given situation. To assure this, it is essential to visit the location you are designing for and speak with those who will be benefiting from your product.

Massachusetts was still in the final throes of winter when we arrived, and as such there were no gardeners about. However, we were able to get an idea of the scale we would need to build to, as well as what (if any) helps and hindrances would present themselves in the process.

The garden is flat and treeless, divided into plots about 15ft square. These plots are grouped together in fours.


While some plots were straightforward...


Many (if not most) included substantial decorative elements. This meant that we had to abandon some of our more invasive designs, such as drip tapes.


There are no trees or tall standing structures with the exception of one small shed in the center of the land. This limits our ability to use other structures to aid in our rainwater collection. The only permanent tools we saw (besides the ubiquitous wheelbarrow) were large composting barrels. Given the apparent emphasis that many gardeners place on aesthetics, it will be essential that our system is no more unobtrusive than these scattered barrels.


So there you have it, dear friends. The Northampton Community Garden - our chosen site to implement a sustainable water collection and distribution system!