Have you ever stopped to observe how the world interacts with your property? Have you noticed where the sun rises and sets in the summer? Or where it rises and sets in the winter? What about winds, do you know where they come from and where they go in different seasons? Most of us don’t pay much attention to these details. By using the idea of permaculture sectors, we can get a better understanding of how the property changes throughout the year.
In this article, we are going to go over what permaculture sectors are as well as some examples of sectors you can define on whatever property you are designing for. In my experience as a sustainable agriculture student and farmer, the concept of sectors and permaculture design have really helped me shape the way I think about the land I’m working with. Now, you get to use this tool, too! Let’s get into it.
What are the Permaculture Sectors?
When we are creating a landscape design, we look at how the landscape interacts with the surrounding environment. No site exists in a bubble, therefore, there are always outside factors interacting with it. These factors include sun, wind, rain, and human elements like noise, light, and sound. By looking at the permaculture sectors of a site, we can see where and how these elements influence the site. For example, if the wind comes in from the north in the winter, we’d call that the winter wind sector.
How to Use the Permaculture Sectors
To use the permaculture sectors, we have to assess the site we’re designing for. When doing this assessment, it’s important to observe a site for at least a year (if we can) before creating a design. In this year of observation, it’s important to note how different outside elements are interacting with the site in every season of the year. This is because the sunlight, wind, rain, noise, floods, and fires all shift dramatically from season to season. Once you have these observations, you can assign sectors to the property and being designing.
To design using the permaculture sectors, we have to understand the elements we’re introducing. First, make a list of all of the elements you wish to include in your design (trees, buildings, animals, etc.). Then, think about all of the care and needs of those elements. Once you have that list, you can begin placing the elements in the sectors. For example, if I want to grow paw paws, I know that they are sensitive to the cold and snow. Therefore, I am going to avoid placing those trees in areas of the site that are more impacted by the winter (north of the house, for example) and plant them where they’ll get lots of warmth from the winter sun.
The Permaculture Sectors
There are many different kinds of sectors we can define on a site. Below are eight examples of sectors you could look at for your landscape design. However, don’t feel limited by these options! When assessing your site, get creative and think about all of the elements that may be interacting with that particular site.
The Wind Sector
On the landscape you’re designing on, where does the wind typically come from, and in which direction does it go? Where does the wind blow in the summer? Where does it blow in the winter? Understanding the wind sector throughout the seasons is really important for a couple of reasons. We may want to design the landscape to either prevent or promote wind in different areas. For instance, maybe we want the wind to blow on the patio in the summer to keep it cool and keep the bugs away. And in the winter, we want to prevent the cold winds from blowing on the house.
The Sun Sector
The sun sector is one of the most important. And it changes dramatically depending on the season. Not only is the sun in the sky longer in the summer and shorter in the winter, but trees also lose their leaves in the winter which can influence where the sun lands. This light assessment determines what kinds of plants should go where for resilience and sustainability. To assess for light on your property, you can use this sunlight calculation tool. By toggling the dates, you can see where the sun rises and sets on your property at different times of the year plus how high in the sky the sun gets.
The Shade Sector
Similarly, it’s also important to know where the shady areas on the property are at different times of the year. In the shade sectors, we want to grow shade-loving plants and avoid growing full-sun plants. It’s also really important to know where the shade sectors are in the winter because those areas will get colder than areas that get sun. For instance, the north side of the house will get colder than the south side. Are there things we can do to keep that area warmer? Not only do we want to assess where the shade is now but also where it will be. If we plant oaks in an area, the ground around them will be completely shaded out in the summertime five years from now.
The View Sector
Are the ugly views you want to hide? Are there beautiful views you want to emphasize? Do you have neighbors close by and need privacy? By assessing the views of the landscape, we can create designs that hide ugly views, frame beautiful views, and create privacy from the neighbors and public spaces like the road.
The Fire and Flood Sectors
Is your site at risk of natural disasters like flooding and fires? When doing our site assessments, it’s important to note which areas of the property are at risk of getting damaged. If there are low areas of the property prone to flooding, what elements could you introduce to prevent floods or redirect that flood water? If you are in an area that’s at risk of fire, which direction is it likely to come from? What can you include in the design to prevent fires? Can you introduce flood and fire-resistant plants in those areas?
The Wildlife Sector
Even if you’re designing in the city, there are areas on every site where wildlife likes to come and go. This sector can be manipulated to attract wildlife we’d like to see on the property while preventing that wildlife from causing serious damage to the plants and animals on the site. For example, by planting our apple orchard away from our vegetable gardens, we can attract deer onto the property while distracting them from our veggies.
The Pollution Sectors
Unfortunately, it’s difficult to avoid pollutants in this day and age. However, there are ways we can mitigate it. By identifying potential sources of pollutants, we can add elements to our permaculture design to lessen their impact. Examples of potential sources of pollution include nearby farms, power plants, highways, etc. Remember, pollution doesn’t just include chemical pollutants, but also light, sound, and smells.
The Neighbor and Public Sectors
Not all of us have the luxury of designing a permaculture oasis completely away from the view of a street or a neighbor’s house. By identifying privacy sectors, we can create designs that protect our privacy and protect us from potential crime. For example, if we are designing for a property next to an alley in the city, we can create structures that prevent people from entering the property.
The Free Permaculture Visioning Workbook
If you’re interested in permaculture design, check out the free visioning workbook. In this guide, you’ll learn about the second step in the permaculture design process: visioning (arguably the most fun and creative step). Type in your email above and get the guide sent right to your inbox!
Summary: Permaculture Sectors
Are you ready to get observant of your site? By using the permaculture sector method, we are able to notice details in the landscape that may impact our permaculture design. The world will always be interacting with our land, so by noticing these patterns, we can influence these interactions for an optimum design.
Have you used permaculture sectors in landscape design? Tell me your stories and suggestions in the comments, I would love to hear from you!
Thanks for stopping by and happy designing!
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