Exploring the Ozarks Outdoors: freshare.net

Edible Landscapes

First posted on 08-06-2007

The idea of grocery shopping in your backyard may seem odd, but edible landscaping will allow you to do just that.

“Edible landscaping uses food-producing plants, such as edible flowers, vegetables, herbs and fruit trees, in the creation of an attractive, man-made environment,” said David Trinklein, University of Missouri horticulturist.

“Edible landscaping is a lost art in the U.S. due, in part, to an abundance of food and the desire for a more ornate landscape. When properly done, you can enjoy an attractive landscape along with fresh and flavorful home-grown produce,” he said.

To get started, consider the space and conditions available. Certain environmental needs must be met. Most edible plants require about six to eight hours of sunshine each day, good soil, proper nutrients and water.

Visually appealing edible plants include herbaceous species such as Swiss chard, cherry tomatoes, pepper, lettuce, spinach, cabbage, onions and most of the herbs, he said.

Woody species include fruit trees; especially dwarf type, blueberries, blackberries and grapes.

The idea is to incorporate these species into the landscape in an aesthetically pleasing manner. Flower beds and borders are ideal for incorporating plants such as lettuce, radish, Swiss chard or cabbage, he said.

Containers filled with tomato or pepper plants can add to the decor of a patio or deck and provide tasty food. Fruit trees can be planted instead of small flowering trees. Blueberries can take the place of shrubs, and grapes can cover a trellis instead of more traditional vines.

Edible landscapes tend to require a bit more maintenance than traditional ones to produce well. This may mean additional attention to watering, fertilizing, pruning and pest management. Always read and follow label directions, and never use a pesticide on edible landscape plants that is not safe to use on food crops, he said.

If the soil is compact and drains poorly, adding organic matter can help. The addition of four inches of well-decomposed organic matter to such soils on a yearly basis is a good management practice.

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