Zone 6

The idea of “zones” is frequently used in permaculture design to identify areas of use. They go from 0 to 5, in decreasing order of use, activity, and maintenance. Zone 0 would be your personal space; zones 1 and 2 are frequently used areas close to the home; zones 3 and 4 would be farmed or pastured areas that require little maintenance once established; zone 5 is an area that is unmanaged and allowed to grow wild, some would say wilderness. Zone 6, then, to me, is beyond the wild, into deeper wilderness spaces.

Quinault Rainforest
Quinault Rainforest

Zone 6 is Nature’s Garden. It is where we go to forage, keep grounded, or just to marvel. In Zone 6, we can study the ecology of an area – which plants and animals grow together under different conditions of water, light, soil, elevation, climate, and other factors. We can readily see the interconnections of plant and animal communities and how they all work together for survival.

I will always seek these deep wilderness places for as long as I am able.

It can be difficult to leave our gardens in the height of the growing season – we get so caught up in all the things that need to be done – but I think it is important to keep perspective, and this I do by “getting out.” I take a lot of photos.

I am so very humbled by the beauty and wonder of these places. They always remind me of why we must all come together to ensure we do not inadvertently destroy something so resilient and yet so very fragile. We are all connected. If they are destroyed, a part of us will be also.

And so I thought I might create a page for sharing some of these ventures into Zone 6, even though it is not truly “Barbolian Fields.” Check back in. I will be adding images as time permits. Hope you enjoy.


Thank you for visiting.

(Want to know more about zones 1-5 at Barbolian Fields?)