Can you imagine a forest or a field full of abundance that requires very little effort or attention from you? In permaculture zone 4, this is a reality! Although there are lots of people living in places where zone 4 is minimal or absent, if you have the space, this zone is what permaculture is all about. Let’s get into what this zone is all about.
In this article, we’re going to go over what you need to know about permaculture zone 4. First, we’ll talk about the permaculture zones and why we use them. Then, we’ll get into the needed care, yields, crops, plants, animals, buildings, structures, and water sources of this zone. You’ll also get the chance to download a free permacultre zones guide!
The Permaculture Zones
So what are the permaculture zones and why are they important? The permaculture zones are a system designers use to organize the landscape. There are six in total, starting with zone 0 inside the home. From there, each zone surrounds the home getting further away with each transition into a new zone.
This system is designed to create ease and efficiency across the design. We place the high-maintenance elements that need a lot of attention closest to the home where they’re easiest to access. And we place the low-maintenance elements that rarely require our attention furthest away from the home. This system ensures that our energy is spent efficiently and that all elements get the attention they need.
For example, tomatoes often need daily attention, whether that’s harvesting, pruning, mulching, planting, pulling, or picking off hornworms. If the tomatoes are on the opposite side of the property from the house, it’s likely some of those needs will be neglected because they’re such a trek from the house. However, if they’re closer to the house, they’re much more likely to get the attention they need because they’re easier to get to them.
Permaculture Zone 4
We don’t do much to permaculture zone 4, but it can still provide us with a lot of yields! This is the minimal care zone. In this zone, plants are free to grow on their own and only see some selective forestry from us. Zone 4 is where we harvest our firewood and timber. Therefore, this zone may see heavy handling only a couple of times per year. This is also the zone for wildcrafting, wild cultivation, and foraging. If you’re interested in cultivating wild crops like ginseng, mushrooms, or ramps, this is the zone to do it. In the case of silvopasture, you can also allow your grazing animals to forage here.
Zone 4 Needed Care
Permaculture zone 4 is where all of the elements that can thrive on their own live. Although there isn’t much to do in this zone, there is still work to do here!
- Selective forestry
- Fence moving
- Foraging
- Annual harvesting
Zone 4 Yields
Although there isn’t much effort put into zone 4, it can provide you with an abundance!
- Hunted animals
- Gathered food and medicines
- Forest products like firewood
- Silvopasture
- Wildlife habitat
- Inspiration
Zone 4 Crops & Plants
There are quite a few crops and plants that can be reaped from this zone.
- Firewood
- Timber and lumber
- Cultivated mushrooms
- Hunted meat
- Gathered food and medicines
Zone 4 Animals
Depending on the animals, you can add elements to your design that let your animals graze and forage in the woods. And of course, there are wild animals you can harvest here, too.
- Pasture animals
- Wild hunted and fished animals
Zone 4 Buildings & Structures
We really don’t build structures in this zone. However, there are some elements that can be built here.
- Walking paths
- Meditation and sacred spaces
- Treehouses
- Mushroom logs
Zone 4 Water Sources
The only water sources in this zone are natural water sources, including:
- Ponds
- Streams
- Rain
More About Permaculture and the Permaculture Zones
There are five more permaculture zones to explore, each one with an exciting variety of options. If you are interested in learning about these other zones, read this article on the permaculture zones. In this article, I go over the rest of the zones and which elements to place where.
If you are interested in learning more about the permaculture design process, you can click the highlighted link. In this article, I break down permaculture design into 5 simple steps. Plus, I give you some workbooks and resources to help you on your journey of permaculture design.
There is also an abundance of permaculture books and resources available. If you are looking for more of these resources, check out my Bookshop. On my Bookshop. you’ll find all of my favorite books available to you at a discount. This includes a list of permaculture and regenerative farming books.
Summary
Permaculture zone 4 is where humans are welcome guests. Here, we can gather and forage an abundance of yields. In this article, you learned about the permaculture zones. You also learned about permaculture zone 4, including its needed care, yields, crops, plants, animals, buildings, structures, and water sources. Plus, you now have the free zone guide to reference anytime.
What elements are you most excited to include in your zone 4? Put your thoughts in the comments, I would love to hear from you!
Thanks for stopping by and happy designing!
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