A food forest doesn’t just grow. It’s a living, collaborative system where every space plays a role and allows energy to flow. A zoning plan creates structure that doesn’t restrict, but rather supports the relationships between plants, water, sun, and soil.
💡 Why a zoning plan?
A good zoning plan helps you to strengthen and connect natural processes:
🌞 Harnessing solar power – How do you optimally capture sunlight and circulate energy?
💧 Water as a lifeline – Where does it flow, and how can we retain it longer? How do we provide water where and when it’s needed?
🔗 Useful relationships – Which plants, animals, and structures reinforce each other?
🌀 Dynamic patterns – How do you bring movement into your design so that it grows with the space?
🔍 Patterns from nature as inspiration
Natural ecosystems aren’t static; they follow patterns that gather, distribute, and release energy. These can strengthen your food forest:
🌿 Spiral – Growth and building energy, ideal for herbal circles or for building up or as a vortex to the center.
🌊 Wave – Dynamic movement and flowing transitions between zones.
🌳 Branch structure – Efficient connections, such as paths or waterways.
🔆 Suntrap – A horseshoe-shaped plant structure that captures and retains heat.
🍯 Honeycomb – Maximizes space and interaction between different plant layers.
🌱 What does this mean for your food forest?
Working with zoning and patterns creates a landscape that is not only productive, but also resilient and in constant motion.