This ranch house has a substantial front yard that they just weren't using. All it was was a big chore to have to mow all the time. We converted it to a productive foodscape full of perennial foods and native plants, with some tricks hidden in there to make it less work to maintain. The downspout of the house feeds into a swale that self-waters a good portion of the garden every time it rains. Two long hugelkultur beds provide some relief and privacy to the space while absorbing large amounts of water and releasing it slowly over time, breaking down into rich organic soil, and releasing a small amount of heat to prolong the growing season. Each of the four fruit trees (apple, pear, apricot and cherry) are surrounded by a guild of species that support the tree. This makes it healthier and less prone to disease and pest damage, and reduces maintenance requirements.