THE INCREDIBLE EDIBLE ORGANIC LANDSCAPE

Imagine meandering through your gardens, surrounded by a delectable abundance of herbs, vegetables and vibrantly edible flowers.   Commingled amid the herbaceous flora, your garden takes shape with structural elements provided by trees and shrubs, all bearing delicious fruit and nuts ready to be plucked and eaten.  Strolling onward, you  pass under a dramatic arbor woven with colorful twining vines and brambles yielding  plump clusters of berries, just within reach.  Can you envision a decorative edible landscape like this in your yard, providing both edible bounty and beauty?   The practice of gardening with both ornamental and edible plants is as old as gardening itself.  Ancient Babylonian and Egyptian gardens combined both useful and aesthetically pleasing plants for a wider range of function.  Medieval Benedictine monks provided travelers the opportunity to experience God in the exquisiteness of nature with gardens that included fruits, vegetables, medicinal herbs and floral profusions.  16th century French gardeners sustained the ancient art of edible landscape with what they coined as potagers, in an effort to become more self-sufficient.  The edible components of most landscapes in our country have been lost over the years, and replaced with the now familiar shade trees, lawns, and foundation plantings. What makes the potager, or edible landscape different from a typical vegetable garden is not just its history, but its unique design elements.  The edible landscape features plant combinations that do not have to be hidden in the backyard, but can be proudly displayed as the main attraction of the front yard landscape, even in the most prestigious of neighborhoods.

Nature creates the earth’s most sublime art.  When one builds an edible landscape, they are replicating nature by developing an edible ecosystem.  Edible and ornamental plants work synergistically by attracting birds and beneficial insects to discourage pests.  Such companion planting is an excellent strategy to eliminate the need for toxic chemical pesticides and to reduce our workload in the garden.  Edible landscapes not only benefit humans as food and medicine, but also animate one’s landscape by attracting unique birds, butterflies, hummingbirds and other valuable wildlife.  Other advantages of food gardens include saving money on groceries and reducing gas emissions associated with the processing, packaging and transporting of out-of-state produce.  Few taste experiences can compare to the freshness and flavor of organic home-grown , fully ripened fruits and vegetables.  The therapeutic paybacks of edible landscaping are vast when one considers the nutritional, physical, psychological, social and intellectual benefits as well.  One of the great joys of growing an edible landscape is the ability to share the fruits of your harvest with family, friends and those in need. 

Anyone can grow an edible landscape, even if you have only a balcony for your garden. Container grown fruits and vegetables are easy to grow in tighter spaces, and flourish with organic potting soil, mycorrhizal inoculants and earthworm castings. At least six hours of direct sunlight is needed for most edible plants, although there are exceptions.  The addition of compost to your garden will greatly improve the health and flavor of your edible plants.  Most edible plants prefer good drainage, a monthly organic fertilization program and adequate watering, for optimum fruit and vegetable production.  Try capturing rain from your rooftop in rainbarrels, and connect a drip irrigation hose to water your plants as needed.  Roots chase water, so water deep, but infrequently.

Included below are edible and companion plants that might be useful in your edible landscape.  From roots and shoots, to flowers, fruits, foliage, fungi and nuts, many options are available.  If you have questions or need help with your edible landscape, please contact us at Marvin’s Organic Gardens, we are grateful to help.

When purchasing edible plants, always ask for fruiting varieties, because many are exclusively ornamental, and bear no fruit.  One can eliminate the need for chemical pesticides by selecting edible varieties that are resistant to insects and disease.  There are many edible landscape styles such as the edible forest, kitchen garden, native edible garden and historic garden, but no steadfast rules, so have fun with it.  Edible landscaping promotes sustainable food production and self sufficiency. Enjoy your garden, and eat it too!  Go Organic. It’s Only Natural!