Ever heard the term “Permaculture” and felt like you had no idea what it meant? Well, fear not, fellow homesteaders! Permaculture is simply a way of organizing your space so that you can maximize efficiency and productivity. It divides any given space into zones, each with a different purpose. Zone 0 is probably the most important zone of all—it’s your home sweet home! Let’s take a look at what should be included in this zone.
What Is Zone 0?
Zone 0 is the center of activity for your entire permaculture system. This is where all the action happens—where you live and work, host guests, and spend time with family. As such, it should be designed accordingly! Everything in this zone should be necessary for daily life and make life easier or more enjoyable. That means that if you don’t use something on a daily basis or it doesn’t serve a functional purpose, it shouldn’t be included in Zone 0.
Including Plants in Zone 0
Zone 0 should definitely include some sort of edible plant life as well as plants that are good for attracting beneficial insects to pollinate your garden. Depending on how much space you have available to work with, consider adding fruit trees or berry bushes along with herbs and vegetables near the house. This will give you easy access to fresh produce year-round without having to venture too far from home!
Making Use Of Gray Water
Gray water—the waste water from sinks, showers, laundry machines etc.—can also be utilized in this zone. Reusing gray water helps conserve water and keep your garden healthy by providing essential nutrients like phosphorous and nitrogen directly to the soil. Some ways gray water can be reused include setting up mulch basins or swales near the house where gray water can be directed during heavy rains or collecting gray water in rain barrels for watering plants during dry spells. This will help keep your garden lush year-round while conserving valuable resources!
In Conclusion
Zone 0 is an integral part of any permaculture system because it’s where everything starts—your home sweet home! Make sure to include plants that provide food as well as attract beneficial insects for natural pest control, and find creative ways to reuse gray water so that nothing goes to waste. With these tips in mind, you can create an efficient permaculture system from the ground up (or rather from within Zone 0!). Happy permaculturing!