Permaculture design uses the tool of zoning to reduce labor and increase efficiency of our time, effort, and money inputs. At this moment, I am planning in which zones I believe our infrastructure will need to live to be convenient and save money. Once we have a property, we can start drawing out zone maps and make sure that outputs and inputs compliment each other. This will be a living document and updated as things progress. (Last update: 01/10/22)
| Zone # | Basic Parameters: Time (T) = frequency (f) x duration (d) |
| 0 | Nexus of human activity, typically a dwelling |
| 1 | As close to 0 as possible, T is characterized by high f and d |
| 2 | The next distance out, T is characterized by moderate f and d |
| 3 | Distance from 0 is a major factor, though T input can vary. E.g.: high f but low d |
| 4 | Distance from 0 may be a major factor. E.g.: very low f but high d |
| 5 | A wild zone where human intervention is ideally zero. T input varies widely. |
- Zone 0: The family dwelling/s.
- Input
- Water
- Food
- Electricity
- Stuff
- Climate control
- Output
- Rain catchment
- Grey water
- Manure
- Food scraps
- Shredded Paper
- Cardboard
- Garbage
- Input
- Zone 1: Deck, porch, kitchen garden, pathways to other areas, barn, greenhouse, cold frames, potting shed, root cellar, worm farm, rain barrels, firewood storage, workshops and sheds, in-ground garden
- Input
- Water
- Electricity
- Sunshine
- Rain
- Planting
- Maintenance
- Fertility
- Output
- Herbs
- Rain catchment
- Grill space
- Leisure
- Storage
- Fertility
- Input
- Zone 2: Perennials, long term annuals, compost bins, beehives, ponds, poultry housing, farrowing area, ram base alpha, goat milking area
- Input
- Water
- Feed
- Minerals
- Bedding
- Output
- Rain catchment
- Eggs
- Milk
- Meat
- Manure
- Input
- Zone 3: Orchard, management intensive grazing, animal tractors, dams for irrigation and animal water
- Input
- Fertility
- Maintenance on fence and structures
- Planting
- Pruning
- Daily Rotation
- Water
- Occasional Mowing
- Output
- Fruit
- Nuts
- Meat
- Milk
- Pasture
- Input
- Zone 4: Managed woodlot
- Input
- Planting
- Pruning
- Output
- Wood
- Fuel
- Forage
- Bedding
- Input
- Zone 5: Wild zones we simply enjoy.
- Input
- Watch for diseases
- Output
- Beauty
- Input