Garden Requirements Update

In earlier posts (Subsystem Design: Garden Requirements and Defining the Garden) we started exploring specific requirements for gardening and food production. Here are some more formal requirements for the that are now incorporated into the Objectives & Requirements Document (doc).

Input requirements:

The FPS shall use organic fertilizer for crop production as specified in the Organic Farming Specification.
The FPS shall use organic mulch for crop production as specified in the Organic Farming Specification.
The FPS shall treat plant and animal disease using non-toxic methods.
The Organic Farming Specification will be defined later.

The FPS shall accept treated grey water for crop production.
The FPS shall accept treated black water for crop production.
These requirements help ensure no water is wasted on the homestead.

Output Requirements:
The FPS shall produce TBD lbs. of produce per year.
The FPS shall produce TBD lbs. of animal products per year.
Jeff’s blog (Calorie Calculating) will be a great help in determining the exact quantities to use for these requirements. Note that the requirements include not only food that is farmed, but also that which is hunted and gathered.

Interface Requirements:
The FPS shall provide isolation from undesired wildlife per the Crop and Livestock Enclosure Specification.

The FPS shall collect plant and animal waste in a decomposition system.

Physical Requirements:
The FPS shall ensure all plants are within 3 feet of a walking point.

Technology Requirements:
The FPS shall treat plant and animal disease using locally available methods.
This essentially specifies that no technology that cannot be locally reproduced may be used. It serves as a reminder that antibiotics, pesticides, and fertilizers from distant locations cannot be counted on for the future.

Sustainability Requirements:
The FPS shall include no less than TBD crop species.
The FPS shall include no less than 2 varieties of each crop species.
These requirements help ensure biodiversity in the garden.

Safety Requirements:
The FPS shall provide child-proof locking mechanisms on all animal enclosures.
One more requirement to help keep the kids safe.