Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Edible Landscaping

Edible landscaping is perfect whether you are an urban gardener or one that lives in the country, edible gardening is an ideal way to plant fruit and veggies without having to give up your flower beds and without the need for a separate vegetable garden patch. 
growing vegetable with flowers
The principle is simple, instead of a bunch of useless shrubs, you begin to remove plants that do not provide food and begin replacing with those that do. A shrub can be replaced with blueberry vines, a plant or two of tomatoes can grow among you flower bed when staked with an attractive trellis or colorful tomato cage.

I began years ago with one distinct vegetable garden bed but realized I wanted to grow more vegetables and fruits so I began mixing food producing plants in all of my garden beds.
vegetables and flowers together
Same as with any place you would plant food plants, you just watch for the right amount of sunlight. You wouldn't put a tomato below a tree though I have tried to see how little sunlight I can still grow tomatoes in.
pumpkins, cucumbers, blueberries, tomatoes
By growing plants vertically on a support, you can grow things like pumpkins, cucumbers and tomatoes, even zucchini in a tight space by growing up.

It all works. Half the fun is planning the beds and finding what works where. If something does not do well, than move it or plant in another spot the next year.


  1. Wow, I'm impressed!
    You've really got me thinking about how I can do some rearranging in my beds.

  2. You have it all figured out!! I am growing some edibles in with my front planter for the first time and loving it!
    xo Kris
    PS Can't wait to hear about your trip!

  3. Your soil looks so healthy.
    Good idea to grow upwards. xx

  4. Really pretty and inspiring. I hadn't thought of pumpkins.

  5. Really pretty and inspiring. I hadn't thought of pumpkins.

  6. I have been switching the beds around gradually, myself.
    I am following your lead, you know. ;)

  7. We've torn out turf as well to create new beds for fruits and veggies. And plant multiple fruit trees...