I pulled up a satellite view from Google Maps to show you the land I’m working with. It’s about 0.5 hectares in size and still very raw.
Right now it’s kind of overgrown as you can see.
This was the only picture I could get that wasn’t completely swallowed by vegetation. But you know what? I’m actually excited about all this wild growth.
Sure, it looks a bit chaotic now, but underneath all those tangled vines and volunteer plants, there’s so much potential just waiting to be shaped.
Let’s dive in and see what we’re really dealing with:
Sun Orientation
Here’s a quick sketch of the property I did.
I identified the mature trees to preserve, while the remaining vegetation consisted mainly of large shrubs.
The property sits on a south-facing slope. It’s a gentle slope too, nothing so dramatic.
While we’re located at 21 degrees north latitude, our tropical location means we receive abundant sunlight throughout the year. Unlike temperate regions where south-facing slopes are crucial for maximizing sun exposure, here the intense year-round sunlight makes slope orientation less critical.
In fact, managing shade through strategic tree placement is often more important than maximizing sun exposure.
Prevailing Wind on Site
The wind patterns I’ve observed on the property flow primarily north to south, though the direction shifts seasonally.
While the broader region experiences the habagat (southwest monsoon) and amihan (northeast monsoon), the local wind patterns I notice seem to be influenced more by the property’s topography than these larger regional wind systems.
The southwest monsoon and northeast monsoon line up with our wet and dry seasons. With wet running from June to October and the dry running from November to May.
Traditionally our hottest months are May-June. A good piece of evidence here is that a lot of our harvest festivals take place in May.
That being said, the climate is changing so we’re keeping an eye on that.
Slope and Water flow
The property has a gentle slope that gradually descends toward the southeast corner, where the lowest point is located.
While the grade isn’t dramatic enough to cause erosion concerns, it does naturally guide water flow in a helpful way. During the rainy season, water tends to move slowly across the land from the northwest to southeast, giving plants plenty of time to absorb moisture before any excess continues downslope.
This gradual descent also means we won’t need extensive terracing or major earthworks to manage water flow – though we may add some subtle swales later to make the most of our rainfall and prevent any soil loss during heavy downpours.
Microclimates on the property
North Side – Lots of Trees – Shaded Area
This heavily shaded area, dominated by mature native trees, presents an ideal location for both livestock housing and eventual living quarters.
While these trees don’t produce fruit, their established canopy offers valuable natural cooling – a crucial feature in our tropical climate.
I’m planning to work with, rather than remove, these mature trees. Their shade will be perfect for:
- Chicken coops (keeping the birds comfortable in hot weather)
- Pig pens (providing natural temperature regulation)
- Future family living space (taking advantage of natural cooling)
The existing tree cover could help reduce energy costs for cooling and create a more comfortable microclimate for both animals and humans.
Full sun section
The southeast corner of the property presents some of our most promising growing conditions.
This area receives full sun exposure throughout the day, making it ideal for many tropical fruit trees and sun-loving crops. Its position at the property’s lowest point means it naturally collects water and nutrients as they flow downslope.
Future fruit bearing trees
For this section, my focus will be on establishing fruit-bearing trees and perennial food forests.
I still need to research which fruit trees will work best here, considering our climate, soil conditions, and available water. I’m particularly interested in native varieties that are already adapted to our local conditions.
What I Imagine it Might Look Like
That concludes my initial assessment of the property!
While I’ve mapped out these preliminary plans, I know flexibility will be key as we learn more about the land and its unique characteristics.
My current thinking is to begin with livestock introduction rather than jumping straight into crops or construction. There’s good reasoning behind this: animals, particularly chickens and pigs, can serve as natural land clearers.
They’ll help manage the overgrowth while simultaneously enriching the soil with their manure.
This approach could make subsequent planting and development work much easier.
However, I’m keeping an open mind.
As we spend more time on the property and better understand its patterns and potential, we’ll adapt our strategy to whatever makes the most practical sense