Edible landscaping has been a part of daily living way back in ancient Egypt and other seed civilizations. Royal palaces and laymen abodes had gardens adorned with flowers, grape vines and fruit trees combined with sitting areas. But throughout time as architectural designs became more modern, edible plants lost their way in becoming a part of most gardens. Bring back the glory days of edible landscaping right in your own home with simple steps below landscaping

Edible Landscaping

As was said, edible plants had little or no presence at all in most home gardens. Such type or landscaping or gardening has been typically associated nowadays with large industrial farms. Actually, you can have your own source of varied produce fit for human consumption. You have a wide range of promising and exciting choices of tasty plants regardless of the space you have at home. If you have a huge backyard, enjoy making expanse plant beds. And even if you live in urban spaces, you can still have your edible landscaping via containers.

Do a prior research about edible plants suitable for the soil and weather in your area. Either do an online search from numerous home gardening websites or approach the agency in your area that focuses on horticulture program. You can also seek assistance from garden shops. List down the plants once you have been familiarized which ones could thrive in the environment in your area.

There are hundreds of species and varieties for each category of vegetation. Pick at least one from each category of fruit trees, shrubs, berries, common vegetables, vines, herbs and flowers. Typical choices include apples, apricots, figs, blueberries, currants, cabbages, onions, grapes, mint, oregano, thyme, daylilies, scented geranium, roses and the list goes on. But be cautious in picking edible plants, shrubs or trees that attract pests or insects. What you can do is to include flowers that are known to ward off pests and rather attract healthy bugs, which are also known healthy soil boosters. Some samples of ornamental and medicinal flowers are yarrow, zinnia, cosmos and daisy.

You must also take note of the costs involved in this project. Since you already have your list, scout for their respective prices. Decide whether it would be more cost-effective to plant seeds or to sow baby plants. Include in your calculation the implementation costing that would comprise of labor fees (for creating a huge garden) and gardening materials. Try to project the costs for fertilizers as well. Of course, to have healthy edibles, you must as well employ organic fertilization rather than having pesticides or chemical sustenance. Thus, you should also budget for a composting system.

Now that you have prepared your plants list and costs, lay out the final design. Either make your own free hand drawing plan or have a professional make the illustration for you. Some design ideas are as follows:

For wide spaces:

– use anti-pest flowers or berries for borders
– incorporate dimensions by planting small soft looking vegetables like asparagus in contrast to taller shrubs or trees
– boost visual impact of the entire garden by placing plants of the same color or type in one concentration, such as designating all yellow colored fruit vines or climbers and flowers at the center or borders of a lush green landscape

 For container gardening:

– establish dimensions by placing taller shrubs at the center of the container and herbs with expanse growths at the borders (use big tubs or huge baskets to achieve this effect)
– create depth by situating potted plants in a layered holder
– increase visual impact by painting the pots in different colors, using baskets or pots in different sizes and styles or gathering same colored plants on one side

Take advantage of the benefits edible landscaping can give you. From having your own farmer’s market to creating aesthetic enhancement for your entire property, such landscaping option can be really productive.