Tour: Clay Hill Cottage, Urban Homestead

Clay Hill Cottage is an urban oasis on a bit more than an acre half a mile from downtown Dover. Arthur and Myra have lived here since 2018, working on land and infrastructure improvements. The site was problematic: a north-facing half-wooded slope stripped of topsoil and draining into the basement, covered with an invasive understory of Japanese knotweed and barberry, burning bush, oriental bittersweet, and multiflora rose.

The three permaculture principles that drive their practices are: Water management, building soil carbon, and building community through sharing.

Arthur and Myra have rebuilt the 1890s cottage and added a patio, pond, and pavilion in the backyard and a hügelkultur raised bed garden in the front. Myra is passionate about music. The pavilion evolved to be a venue for house concerts. Building community through music is an important part of their permaculture vision.

Arthur is passionate about helping the land recover from years of exploitation and neglect. Recreating a diverse forest environment is turning into a years-long effort. There is a dynamism in the life of a forest that isn't visible on a random visit. You will see rainwater harvesting, gravity irrigation and other techniques to slow and deflect water on the hill where it is stored and released to the garden. This year, half the garden is planted with cover crops and volunteers, the other half has garlic, tomatoes, and squash. Much of the garden waste will be sent uphill to build soil where it is needed.

COST: sliding scale of $10-30, payable at the event. No one turned away if unable to pay. Please bring cash or check!

About Seacoast Permaculture's Summer Garden & Homestead Tours: This event is part of the Seacoast Permaculture's Summer Garden & Homestead Tour series. Seeing what others are doing is a great way to get new ideas, learn new techniques and be inspired. The sites chosen are all in varied settings and different stages of development.