Thoughts on Permaculture Zones in an Urban Lifestyle
Zone 1:
The home and the systems within it. Can hopefully include window boxes and inside plants, maybe even a few domesticated pets.
Zone 2:
The area outside the house which is most easily accessed. Often including verandahs but usually only a small area with close access to the kitchen. A great spot for commonly accessed herbs and a few veggies.
Zone 3:
The productive part of your garden. Still easily accessed but not as close as zone 2. Veggie gardens, small fruit trees, frog ponds and perhaps a greenhouse would fit here, maybe even a small chook tractor.
Zone 4:
The less accessed part of your âmanaged gardenâ. For some urban dwellers this may include community gardens, the verge, back lanes, behind the shed, on the roof or even guerilla gardened in someone else’s patch of dirt!
If you’re lucky enough to have space this is a great place to have smaller animals such as chickens, quails, guinea pigs, rabbits etc. and a great place for fruit trees, perennials and slower crops.
Zone 5:
âThe Wild Areaâ – any areas which can be âgiven back to natureâ are a great addition to any permaculture system. Even if you only have a small amount of space, a small grove of local native plants and trees can attract wonderful native biodiversity to your garden. We also must include the area outside the âmapâ which we have a stake-hold in. We all have a responsibility to ensure it is managed well.
Food for thought:
Zone 0:
The people in the home. The way they interact and the systems they create.
Zone i:
The individual, the things we say and do and the thoughts we think and the systems involved.