I live on an old homestead, surrounded by what once had been an edible landscape. Apple, persimmon, fig, cherry and plum trees, along with grape vines and numerous nut trees are within easy reach. I am sure there was once a very large garden close by also. The fig tree is the only one which still produces decent fruit. This was the way of life for so many families in the area; grow what you need.
I have grown up in the age of convenience; microwave cooking, frozen dinners or eating out is the norm. But as budgets tighten along with belt lines, due to some of the unhealthy, easy food available, people are once again looking to gardens to supplement the grocery budget and supply healthy food for the family. After a winter of eating tasteless tomatoes which have been shipped green from one coast to the next, than gassed to make them bright red for the grocery store bins, is it any wonder we crave the taste of a fresh, homegrown tomato. Many of us do not have the space or the yard design to grow a garden, but that should not stop you. Many plants can be incorporated into your yard to create an edible landscape.
One of the best and easiest plants to grow in your landscaping is the blueberry bush. This plant can easily fit in with other perennials in a sunny location. Keep in mind they like an acidic soil and while many self pollinate, having two different varieties will ensure a good fruit production. What could be better then picking fresh blueberries in the morning for your muffins or pancakes?
A bush or patio tomato can be grown in a planter on a back deck and a cherry tomato can be grown in a window box or hanging basket. A pepper plant is also very attractive in a planter. Herbs can be grown in small pots on a sunny front step or as ground cover in perennial beds. Nasturtiums are an annual flower which come in a range of colors and the flowers can be added to salads.
A bush or patio tomato can be grown in a planter on a back deck and a cherry tomato can be grown in a window box or hanging basket. A pepper plant is also very attractive in a planter. Herbs can be grown in small pots on a sunny front step or as ground cover in perennial beds. Nasturtiums are an annual flower which come in a range of colors and the flowers can be added to salads.
Start out with a few favorites and before long you will be hooked, by the convenience and ease of having an edible estate. Just be prepared to compete with the rabbits and neighbors who may come by for a snack.
Nice post. Next time I see a blueberry plant for sale, I'm definitely going to pick it up! I love the look of edibles mixed in with ornamentals, and having edibles in pots is so smart!
ReplyDeleteHomegrown is always better! Listened to a song today, chorus-- Two things money can't buy, true love and homegrown tomatoes. :-)
ReplyDeleteStill want to plant figs and hazelnuts on my new land. Will put a couple blueberries in containers this spring.
have been meaning to add blueberries to my garden for a while now. youve reminded me to look for them this spring. theyre one of the few fruits you can grow in part shade!
ReplyDeleteI agree that home grown vegetables taste so much better. I do not have much room for them but I grow tomatoes in big buckets along with green peppers and cucumbers in planters. The tomatoes always taste so much better.
ReplyDeleteI would like to agree with Lona that homegrown veggies taste so much better, but any such testimonial would more likely to come from the baby bunny rabbits that ate all the peas and beans in my garden! LOL! I did manage however to get lots of delicious, non-gassed cherry tomatoes and that has fuelled my determination to try again this year.
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ReplyDeleteMy very first garden was a vegetable garden and I have a wonderful photo of my son holding one of his toy buckets full of onions and beets. I started growing veggies again last summer and it was fun to eat my own carrots, beets, and tomatoes. I once had a couple of blueberry bushes but they were the unfortunate victims of a wheelbarrow accident. I wish I still had room for them.
ReplyDeleteI will have to squeeze in a few blueberry plants!
ReplyDeleteI grew up eating homegrown blueberries, blackberries and raspberries (my favorite), as well as strawberries, apples, cherries etc etc etc. If only I had a 5 acre garden like my parents do, I'd be growing them again. It was wonderful. So were the regular garden veggies come to think of it... just as a kid green beans weren't doing much for me...
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