Step 4: Design your garden
The important part of the design step for Fynbos Stepping-stone garden is to integrate the design elements that fulfil social and ecological together.
Design is a skill that takes training so you have two options:
- Option 1: copy elements from existing designs that respond to the same social and ecological needs as you.
- Option 2: learn design skills. Free online basic landscape design courses are available at Udemy. Other online course will likely come up on other sites like coursera, EdX and Khan Academy.
Design Checklist
Ensure you have a design that includes design elements for, along with an example for each:
- for existing and desired social uses Dump to garden and art beautifies the space for socialising, while weeds converted to veg garden provides food
- for vegetation recovery By planting pioneers of Fynbos on the steep bank, erosion is halted and pollination and medicinal plants can be added
- to create connection for target animal species between stepping-stones Gardening plant choice is synchronised with neighbouring suburb of Obs and gardens created in between
- to create habitat for target animal species Plant species selection provides nectar for sunbird guild and groundcover for leopard toads
- to manage disturbance Tyre and stone border and signage
Below are some examples of inspiring garden design.
Chatham Garden Fynbos plant choice supporting biodiversity
Chatham Garden plant choice of vegetation supporting local social need for food security, and beautification of public spaces to make them usable for social activity.
Besides plant choice, each species of animal will need a few other elements considered before they call your garden a home. Use this table to factor in design elements for your chosen target animals (click on the table for a full screen version).
Ready to make a work plan?
Go to the next stepOur strategy document
Learn more about this topic in our fynbos corridor strategy document!
A community-focused strategy to increase socio-ecological connectivity in Cape Town. This strategy takes you from the basics of understanding what Fynbos is to prioritising where to work. It includes a step-by-step guide towards rehabilitation of stepping-stone gardens.
Download document (PDF)