Thanks to modern advances in technology and science, more and more people are able to adequately grow their own food. For many this is a little hobby, usually kept to a smaller plot in the backyard, or perhaps in a small box on the windowsill. It doesn’t have to be that way, however, as the benefits from incorporating edible plants into your basic landscape design pays off in more ways than just having a supply of food at your disposal. They provide a measure of security, while at the same time adding a range of colors and distinct visuals not normally available to someone with just flowers. With that in mind, here are some tips for why adding fruits, vegetables, and others edible growths is a great idea.
The Benefits of Produce in Your Garden
Sweet, yet subtle
It doesn’t have to be something as drastic as planting a series of apple trees in the backyard, but adding a fruit-bearing tree is always a great idea. If that seems like a more daunting task than you’re willing to attempt, then start with something smaller, like blueberries or raspberries. Most berry bushes are a little pricklier than non-berry bushes, but take into account the fact that these bushes keep their cover during the winter months, making them great for low level security. The nice thing about having edible plants in your landscape is the easy way they jump into a place normally occupied by a non-edible plant, so you don’t have to sacrifice the overall design. For instance, if you want to have a hanging vine, or other plants that spill out of their containers, beans can be strung on a trellis or a wall in an attractive manner, and tomatoes need to be hung in order to grow properly.
Disguised sensations
Of course, a lot of edible plants will improve your landscape in other ways. Let’s face it, fresh, healthy fruit smells delicious. If you choose to incorporate different herbs like dill, rosemary, sage, and thyme, it will smell that much better. Different kinds of lettuces and other leafy greens can be planted in flower beds at different times, giving the area the effect of always being in bloom.
You will have to keep in mind how much extra work having these plants in your garden is going to be, as it ranges from very little extra watering in the case of herbs, to quite a bit of extra watering and patience in the case of many fruits. It’s also important to note that this might cause additional attention from certain pests, like squirrels that like to dig up various plants, or bug infestations. It is worth it, as there’s nothing quite like the feeling of looking at the table and seeing a delicious meal that came, at least in part, from your own garden. It is something that we at the Parke Company believe in very strongly, which is why we are always available to help design an aesthetically pleasing landscape full of rich, nutritious, edible plants.