Your First Design Activity
An activity records something you did in your garden. Every activity has:
- A title — what happened ("Site Assessment — March 2026")
- A category — Design, Implementation, Observation, Monitoring, Analysis, or Management
- A method (optional) — a step-by-step protocol you followed
- Linked elements — what was involved (inputs and outputs)
- Observations — structured measurements (if the method has templates)
- Notes and photos — freeform documentation
Categories
| Category | When to use |
|---|---|
| Design | Planning, assessment, mapping, guild design |
| Implementation | Building, planting, amending, composting |
| Observation | Structured monitoring (soil tests, pest counts) |
| Monitoring | Ongoing checks (brix, growth, weather notes) |
| Analysis | Comparing results, reviewing a season |
| Management | Admin tasks, purchasing, maintenance |
Following a Method
When you create an activity and select a method, the platform loads observation templates for that method. For example, the "Site Assessment" method has templates for:
- Primary aspect (text)
- Slope (scale 1-5)
- Drainage (scale 1-5)
- Sun exposure (scale 1-5)
- Wind exposure (scale 1-5)
These structured observations make your data comparable — across beds, across seasons, and across the community.
Put It Into Practice
Now it's your turn. Create your first real activity:
Part A: Site Assessment
- Go to your Workspace → New Activity
- Title: "Site Assessment — [your garden name]"
- Category: Design
- Method: Select "Site Assessment"
- Link elements: Add your garden site element as an input
- Record observations: Fill in aspect, slope, drainage, sun exposure, wind exposure
- Add a photo of your garden (overview shot)
- Write a journal entry: What did you notice? What surprised you? What do you want to change?
Part B: Sector Analysis
- Create another activity: "Sector Analysis — [your garden name]"
- Category: Design
- Method: Select "Sector Analysis"
- Link elements: Same garden site element as input
- Record observations: Prevailing wind direction, fire risk (if applicable)
- Notes: Describe the energy flows through your site — where does water go when it rains? Where does the winter sun hit? Where is the wind strongest?
You now have two design activities linked to your garden site. Your site's element page shows both in its activity timeline. The provenance chain has begun.