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Why Edible Landscaping is the Modern Day Food Revolution

Written by Naomi Meza

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Posted on October 05 2018

It’s one thing to have a garden and it’s another to have one you can actually eat.

Take a walk through a typical suburban neighborhood and you’ll likely find a number of lush, green lawns blanketing front yards bordered by roses, daisies and the like.

While this type of landscaping is the norm, among other gardening practices, there stands one that offers as many economic and health benefits as it does aesthetic appeal: edible landscaping. 

What is Edible Landscaping?

Edible landscaping (or foodscaping) takes the design component of landscaping and combines it with the wholesome, financial and wellness factors of good old-fashioned home gardening.

The idea is to replace ornamentals or unproductive plant material with food plants. On a small scale, gardeners are transforming their lawn ladened yards to an abundant collection of produce -- providing fresh, healthy food for their families.

Meanwhile, non-profit organizations are taking this trend by storm in an effort to encourage food security in impoverished areas and create green space for their communities.

Read on to find out how foodscaping can benefit you, the environment and your wallet. You will also find a list of food plants you can include in your edible landscape to achieve the perfect look for your individual taste.

What Are the Benefits of Edible Landscaping?

1. Environmental Protection

Valuable natural resources go into producing the food we consume. Water, energy, and land are the primary ones.

In the US, 10 percent of our nation’s energy budget is spent on transporting food from farms to our dinner tables and everywhere in between.

Meanwhile, 69 percent of our world’s freshwater supply and 50 percent of Earth’s habitable land are used for agriculture.

Shopping in your backyard instead of a grocery store promotes environmental conservation and sustainability.

 2. Food Safety

Simply put, with home gardening, you know what you grow.

Because you are cultivating your own crops, you are aware of the nutrients that go into your soil and the harmful chemicals that don’t.

Our agricultural industry lacks this kind of transparency, making edible landscaping a worthwhile practice for the health-conscious individual.

3. Financial Gains

Money doesn’t grow on trees, but by planting some in your backyard, your wallet may get a little fuller.

Edible landscaping allows you to provide food for your family. The cost to grow food plants is far less expensive in the long run than purchasing all your produce at a store.

Research shows home vegetable gardens produce 600 dollars worth of food, annually.

You can even choose to grow the fruit and vegetables that are more expensive to buy, like melons and tomatoes. Or cultivate only those that you know your family will eat.

4. Quality of Life

The typical day job often promotes a sedentary lifestyle. But when you step foot in your edible landscaped yard, staying still is not an option.

Garden maintenance pushes you to move and to expose yourself to nature and fresh air.

Not to mention the obvious -- access to nutrient rich foods, as well as the family bonding time that comes from working together to produce your own food.

These advantages on their own are priceless.

So What Should You Plant?

This question largely depends on the desired look you want for your garden.

The appeal for landscaping lies in its planned and structured set up that results in a well-organized and beautiful outdoor area.

It’s crucial to keep in mind the outcome of your landscape’s appearance so planning ahead is strongly encouraged!

Below are a few plants you can consider including in your garden and how they’ll contribute to your overall display.

For Borders:

  • Mint
  • Sage
  • Eggplant
  • Peppers

 

For Shrubs:

  • Blueberries
  • Black Elderberry
  • Figs
  • Haksap (Honeyberry)

 

For Color:

  • Purple Cabbage
  • Gold Zucchini
  • Lavender
  • Red Orach (French Spinach)

 

For Texture:

  • Chives
  • Tomatoes
  • Strawberries
  • Collards

 

For Height:

  • Beans
  • Asian Pears
  • Brambles
  • Amaranth

 

Join the Food Revolution

Gardening is a challenge and landscaping is even more so, but edible landscaping just might be the next step forward in establishing not only a healthy relationship with our food but with our planet.

And you can be a part of it. Shop our favorite specialty fertilizers below.

 

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