Zone 4 (5 zones in permaculture) is an interesting one because it's only very minorly designed and only minimally maintained. While Zones 2 (Permaculture Zone 2) and 3 (Permaculture Zone 3) are what most people would consider the main zones that would comprise a farm or ranch, Zone 4 might be considered the "back 40." It really only needs attention a few times a year.

Wild foraging, lumber, firewood, hunting, fishing. These are all mostly wildland activities, but are done in a controlled environment - your personal property. The difference between Zone 4 and Zone 5 is the mindframe - Permaculture Zone 5. You own Zone 4, but Zone 5 is owned by nature. It's a subtle distinction, but an important one.

As far as soil quality, this area is planted with tall prairie grasses, perennial shrubs and/or trees. A twice-yearly "chop and drop" style mowing can help the soil get a layer of mulch for natural composting.

To relate Zone 4 to personal spaces, this might be equated to outside in your yard, or under the house in the crawl space. Definitely yours to do with what you please, but they are inherently not human spaces - they are instead the domains of plants, animals and insects where humans have ownership.

Citations

• Gaia’s Garden

#permaculture #toolong