To be honest, for me, solarpunk is a type of society, that is sustainable, that is friendly, in one word, that solved many issues we are currently having, and it is about how it got solved.

This kind of backyards make me happy today but sad if this were our future: it would mean we have collectively failed and that only individual actions can hope to bring sustainability.

Pros of Gardening with Raised Beds:

Improved Drainage: Raised beds typically allow for better soil drainage, which can be beneficial for plants that don’t do well in waterlogged conditions.

Easier Maintenance: Raised beds can reduce the amount of bending and stooping required during gardening tasks, which can make the activity more accessible for people with mobility issues or physical discomfort.

Higher Yield: Because plants can be grown closer together in raised beds, they often result in higher yields than traditional row planting.

Pest Control: Raised beds can help deter some garden pests, like rabbits and slugs.

Soil Quality Control: With raised beds, gardeners have full control over the soil environment, making it easier to tailor to the specific needs of different plant varieties.

Aesthetic Appeal: Raised beds can add structure and aesthetic appeal to your garden, especially if you have a larger space.

Facilitates Cold Frames/Mini Greenhouses: Raised beds can easily be converted into cold frames or mini greenhouses by adding a PVC pipe and plastic covering. This allows for extended growing seasons.

Cons of Gardening with Raised Beds:

Initial Time and Expense: Building or purchasing raised beds can require a significant initial investment in terms of both time and money.

Watering Needs: Raised beds often require more frequent watering than traditional gardens because they drain so well.

Soil Temperature: Raised beds can lead to soil temperatures that are cooler in the shoulder seasons and hotter in the summer. This might be a disadvantage for certain plants that prefer a consistent soil temperature.

Potential Materials Decay: Depending on the materials used to construct the raised beds, they may decay over time and need to be replaced.

Space Limitations: Raised beds may not be suitable for larger plants or those with deep root systems due to space limitations.

Limited Mobility: Once installed, raised beds are not easy to move. Careful planning is required to ensure the right location and layout.

For me I imagine something more like a forest-garden. For an outsider it would probably look like an overgrown plot of land but once you start looking at it you realize that every plant had been carefully selected.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d5/Forestgarden2.jpg

Water collection is something a lot of people might not consider.

Also with the solar power we can run slightly more complex systems like aquaponics. The water pumps and air bubblers would barely put a dent in the battery. Now you got vegetables and fish.

I think it’s hard to answer because it really depends on context.

If you owned the home in the picture and had the money, a bunch of solar panels sand a lush garden is a great setup. If money was really no barrier, an enclosed green house garden is great, because it conserves water.

If we’re starting with just this plot of land, I’d suggest making the house into a three story one, and make the back wall of the first floor open entirely into the greenhouse, and have the greenhouse have sliding glass doors to open it into the unsheltered yard further out.

Are those self installed panels? AFAIK most municipalities require some spacing between roof edge and panels, yeah?

Permaculture literature would be a good resource.

I love the image, although as with most AI-generated art it’s something dream-like about it as when you look close it looses definition and form.

What prompt did you use for this?

I think it’s important to have some edible plants/vegetables. Solar is nice but I think that’s not essential for the backyard.