Edible Landscapes

I added a new term to my vocabulary this past year: multi-tasking. We used to call this trying to do two things at once, but "multi-tasking" sounds much more sophisticated and proficient. Plants, too, can multi-task and no better example exists than the concept of edible landscapes. The fact that we need food to nourish our bodies is undeniable. A strong argument also can be made for the need for aesthetic virtue in our lives. To quote Emerson, "if eyes are made for seeing, then beauty is its own excuse for being". Edible landscapes involves the use of food producing plants such as edible flowers, vegetables, herbs and fruit trees in the creation of an attractive, man-made environment. Thus we are using the same plants to nurture our bodies as well as our psyches.

The concept of edible landscapes is not new. Historical records reveal that the ancient gardens of Persia combined both ornamental and edible plant material. Monastic gardens of the Medieval Era included fruits and vegetables as well as flowers and herbs. Many 19th century English gardens often included woody plants that bore fruits and berries. Edible landscaping became a lost art in the United States thanks, in part, to an abundance of food and the desire for a more ornate landscape. The past several decades, however, have witnessed a resurgence of this ageless form of gardening thanks in large part to a 1982 book titled The Complete Guide to Edible Landscaping by Rosalind Creasy. Today, people landscape with edible plants to enjoy the freshness and flavor of home-grown produce as well as to save on food bills and control the kinds of pesticides used on the food they eat.

To get started with edible landscaping, consider the space and conditions currently available for plants in the landscape. Many people associate the growing of fruits and vegetables with large, sun-drenched gardens and yards but such is not necessarily the case. There are, however, certain environmental needs that must be met. Like most plants, edible plants require about six to eight hours of sunshine each day to thrive along with good soil, proper plant nutrients and water. If the soil is compact and drains poorly, the addition of organic matter can help make it more attractive to any plant, including edible ones. As a general rule, the addition of four inches of well-decomposed organic matter to such soils on a yearly basis is considered a best management practice.

Ornamental pepper. All-america selections, http://all-americaselections.org.

Next, consider those plants which are visually appealing and also produce something that can be consumed. Frequently found on this list are herbaceous species such as Swiss chard, cherry tomatoes, pepper (both hot and bell), lettuce, spinach, cabbage, onions and most of the herbs. Woody species meeting the same criteria include fruit trees (especially the dwarf type), blueberries, brambles, and grapes.

The essence of edible landscaping is to incorporate these species into the landscape in an aesthetically-pleasing manner. Flower beds and borders are ideal for the incorporation of herbaceous plants such as lettuce, radish, Swiss chard and cabbage. Containers filled with tomatoes or peppers can help to add to the decor of a patio or deck while as the same time providing fresh, tasty food. Woody plants such as fruit trees can be planted instead of small flowering trees in the private section of one’s yard. Blueberries can take the place of small shrubs as foundation plants and grapes can be used to adorn an arbor or cover a trellis instead of more traditional vines.

Here are some additional ideas to consider:

• Plant herbs along with flowers in a container
• Plant gooseberries instead of barberry for an effective hedge
• Train raspberries up a fence
• Plant flowering cabbage in the fall as an alternative to mums
• Design an edible flower garden using nasturtium, violas, borage and calendula

Edible landscapes tend to require a bit more maintenance than traditional ones in that most edible plants require a certain amount of care to produce well. This means paying additional attention to watering, fertilizing, pruning and pest management. When considering the latter it is important to remember that pesticides that can be used safely on ornamental plants might not be labeled for food crops. Always read and follow label direction and never use a pesticide on edible landscape plants that is not safe to use on food crops.

The result of edible landscaping is something that is functional in several ways. Edible landscapes represent a means of providing a greater return on a homeowner’s investment in the man-made environment by providing a source of safe, tasty and nutritious food while creating a beautiful, aesthetically-pleasing environment. Edible landscapes are environmentally friendly and help to make maximum use of our natural resources.

David Trinklein
Associate Professor Plant Sciences
TrinkleinD@missouri.edu