Post #2B Permaculture Principles and Zones
Blog Description: A discussion of the 12 core principles of Permaculture, and definition of the zones.
Now we know what Permaculture is and the ethics it is based on, let’s get down to practical application. Since every property is different, there is no on-size-fits-all design. Instead, we apply the following core principles to the site, and do a lot of observing before we do anything permanent.
The 12 Core Principles of Permaculture
- Observe and Interact with Nature. Start small and wait to do big, somewhat permanent projects until you have observed your land for at least a year.
- Catch and Store Energy. Use the chop and drop method (leaving the prunings on the ground under the plants), plant soil-building plants and nitrogen-fixing legumes, capture water, and compost waste.
- Obtain a Yield. Grow food and flowers for yourself and wildlife. This production decreases pressure on the planet and your wallet.
- Apply Self Regulation and Accept Feedback. Use resources wisely and be open to lifelong learning from friends, family and colleagues. Remember, it takes a village.
- Use and Value Renewable Resources. In south Florida we can rely on solar and biomass energy as well as greywater.
- Produce No Waste. Buy in bulk, reuse what you have, and compost everything you can.
- Design From Patterns to Details. Begin by organizing your land into zones (see below), then work your way down to the finely tuned details of where to plant that particular variety of your favorite plant.
- Integrate Rather Than Segregate. Use companion planting principles to create a varied and healthy garden. Some plants help each other when they are grown together.
- Use Small and Slow Solutions. We are used to quick results, but often a problem in our natural environment will need time and a process to solve. If we research the process and follow it, the solution will be more beneficial and last longer.
- Use and Value Diversity. Growing blocks of a single plant is an invitation to pests. Planting different species together confuses the pests, and can attract beneficial insects as well. Plant several types of plants together to prevent depletion of any specific nutrient as each plant has varied nutrient needs.
- Use Edges and Value the Marginal. The edges where one area meets another, such as where sun meets shade or path meets bed, are places that are particularly useful for growing. Use curvy paths to increase the length of your bed edges.
- Creatively Use and Respond to Change. Embrace change. Each garden will evolve over time in a natural progression. Anticipate, so you plan ahead. When unexpected changes arise, ask yourself, “What’s the opportunity here?”, then find an answer to that question.
The Zones
The concept of zones is central to Permaculture. Organizing your property in this way makes design and maintenance much easier. Although there are six distinct zones from 0-5, not all gardens contain space for zones 3 and 4. In a suburban setting, zones 0-2 generally make up nearly the whole property, as well as a piece of Zone 5, however small.
- Zone 0 is your center. This is where your house sits. Your indoor houseplants or sprouts, and the plants on your patio are here.
- Zone 1 is where your immediate yard and kitchen garden will be. If you have small animals like rabbits or chickens, they would be housed here too. This is an area you go into several times each day, so they need to be very easy to get to quickly.
- Zone 2 may be home to a main flower or crop garden, or where annuals get replaced only 2 or 3 times each year. You may go into this area once or twice a day tops. Your garden shed will probably be here.
- Zone 3 is generally pasture land. This is where larger livestock would live, and the barn and any irrigation ponds would be here, too. You might come out here each day to check on animals or equipment, or you may not need to.
- Zone 4 is managed land. Maybe you are clearing some of it to harvest wood and planting new trees. Maybe you have your goats there munching on underbrush to clear the area of fire hazards. Maybe you have a fruit orchard. You might check on this space weekly.
- Zone 5 is natural habitat. Wildlife thrives here and you do not manage it beyond basic fire or hurricane precautions. Ideally, every property should have a Zone 5, even if it is only a small corner hidden from the street.
There may be a few different areas in your garden that are in one zone. For instance, Zone 1 should be right outside your front and back doors so you can get to those areas quickly and easily. Zone 2 could be spots next to the house, but a further walk to get to from inside. You will discover that in our heat, that will make a difference.
At the heart of Permaculture is a profound understanding that the earth’s resources, regenerative animal and plant systems, conscious waste systems, water conservation, natural building, and human nutrition are all very much interconnected.
I hope you find this overview helpful as you plan your landscape. It does sound complicated, but it’s actually pretty simple and intuitive, and we will be discussing ways to apply these principles to your own slice of paradise.
Please share your questions, ideas and thoughts!
Happy gardening!
Mary
This is Part 2 of a series on the basics of Permaculture, Forest Gardens and Sustainable Gardening. Click for the Next Post in the Series.
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