Edible Garden Design
How would you Love to have the best of both worlds or can you have the best of both worlds? the answer to that question is YES. When it comes to gardening we are Free in letting our Imagination Run Wild as those Creative Juices Flow. There are so many benefits to gardening, but what if we dare to get away from the traditional (growing ornamental Plants) and introduce the new (edible plants) as a landscape design, talk about thinking outside of the box. One major concern when growing food crops is safety, growing our very own edible garden or landscapes puts us in the driver’s seat where we are in full control of growing our food crops in a safe and healthy manner.
Creating an edible landscape can be so much fun as you incorporate culinary herbs, vegetables, flowering plants, and fruits to create a Delicious, Beautiful work of art. With an edible garden, you can increase your property’s value while providing food both for you and your family. This is a Smart Way to Save Your Hard-Earned Dollars which I believe is a Win-Win.
Below we will be discussing ways in introducing this method into our gardens and landscapes, so let’s connect with nature on the great outdoors as we take our journey into the amazing world of how to landscape with edible plants.
Note: Another name for an edible garden is called foodscaping, which simply means integrating edible plants into ornamental landscape. It’s also the crossbreed between landscaping and farming.
How to Landscape with Edible Plants
When it comes to creating a landscape design (with ornamental plants) the first thing that comes to mind is creating something that’s visually appealing which can have a positive impact on our health both mentally and physically. With edible plants, this can also happen but it first starts with a plan.
Edible Garden Plan Design
- Choose ornamental edible plants that are not appealing to wildlife
- As we looked at earlier we want to go for beauty also so think about edible plants that will give you a rainbow color effect
- Go for simplicity which will create balance
- Considering grouping plants together that has the seem watering needs along with creating beauty and attracting beneficial insects and pollinators
- Incorporate several containers throughout your edible garden, these containers can have colorful plants installed in them.
- Adding structures can really bring that flavor, a fence or an arbor is a great idea when it comes to the support of vining fruits
- Soil does matter, ensure the soil you’re using is the right fit for your edible garden. A good garden soil that has good water drainage is ideal
- For added nutrients, the use of composting or natural organics such as dry cow, horse or chicken manure, etc… is a must because remember you’re growing foods to be consumed.
- Garden insect pests can become a problem, when faced with this issue using safe methods such as these homemade remedies or using organic pesticides is the safe way to go
- The planting location is also important, get to know the light requirements of your edible plants and give them that which will encourage proper plant growth along with providing you with a good harvest
Bonus Points
1. Garden plants can be pretty costly, to save on your spending why not start if you prefer with seeds or seedlings which can help you stretch that dollar.
2. Incorporate some edible perennial plants which can save you time especially if you’re always on the go. Some edible perennials include Broccoli, wild leek, grapes, garlic, asparagus, sweet potatoes, sorrel, artichoke, watercress, blueberries, raspberries, groundnut, sage, chives, catnip, lavender, mint, parsley, fennel, oregano, thyme, lemon balm, lovage, peach, pear, bananas, apricots, apple, citrus, kiwi, nectarine and cherry. Incorporating a few flowering plants will also benefit.
3. Some edible flowering plants include chives, chrysanthemum, lilac, scented-leaved geranium, chamomile, elderflower, rose, hibiscus, squash blossom, nasturtium, daylily, apple blossom, Chamaemelum, begonia, borage, bee balm, anise hyssop, violet, calendula, lavender, and marigold.
The Benefits of an Edible garden
- Protects the environment and reduces energy inputs
- Provides convenience
- Maintaining and edible landscapes can be very recreational, fun, and a good source of exercise
- Growing your food crops in a safe and healthy way
- Can help to save those hard-earned dollars.
- With a more improved taste
- Eating fresh year-round
- Having an abundance of food crops available
- Can help to reduce stress
- Getting children involved, passing this knowledge on to the next generation
- Food independence.
- Some flowers when mixed with vegetables is known to keep animals and bugs at bay
The final word on landscaping with edible plants
Landscaping with edible plants can be so much fun while saving you a ton of money over time, these gardens are making waves as many homeowners are taking advantage of these garden methods. I believe that edible gardens are here to stay because of food safety and saving those dollars.
Because of the covid pandemic and other environmental issues, many backyard edible gardens have been started, my wife and I have also started our backyard edible garden and we are reaping the benefits. If your desire is to create an edible landscape you have come to the right place for success so let’s get started and enjoy all that these gardens offer.
Newsletter
Signup Today for Our Newsletter to Receive Up to Date Information on Herbs and Other Gardening News in the Industry.
About the author
Norman loves being in the garden, both at home and for his job....
he is 'Natures Little helper' being outdoors, growing his vegetables and flowers from an early age.
Now having spent over 22 years in the profession he want to give some of his knowledge to others...
his vast array of hints and tips you will find scattered over this site will help you no end growing plants in your garden.
Hi Norman,
Thank you so much for this great information on landscaping with edible plants. With the increased costs of groceries, my husband and I are wanting to start growing our own herbs and vegetables, in order to help save some money.
You have provided some great tips and ideas for us to get started. I never really thought that you could make an edible garden also look aesthetically pleasing! I love the idea of incorporating flowering plants and fruits together to create something beautiful! Not only will we be saving money, but we can share a great hobby together. Plus, the increase in property value is an added benefit too.
Hello Jenny, so Happy to meet you, edible gardens are amazing and has so many benefits. With and edible garden you get the best of both worlds. I am glad to help, thanks so much for stopping by and commenting. Wishing all the best with your edible garden and please let me know how it goes. Have a wonderful day!
Growing your own fruits an vegetables can save you money, while also creating a beautiful environment. You mentioned several plants, like begonia, that I didn’t know was actually edible. We are fortunate enough to have a large property where we do grow vegetables, but I think it would be great to incorporate it in the main garden. Thanks for a very inspirational post.
Creating and edible garden has so many benefits, I am so Happy to help. Thanks for stopping by and all the best to you.
After this pandemic, and all that is going on in the world, I would like to only have edible plants in my garden. I am surprised how many of them look good. And at the end of the day, we are bringing food to our table by taking care of our garden. I have always loved simplicity in my garden. And can’t wait to see the rainbow effect with all these edibles.
Hello Ann so Happy to see you again, these gardens are amazing. Thanks so much for stopping by and all the best to you.