What are some effective ways to incorporate edible gardens into landscapes for health benefits?

Edible gardens are not only a source of fresh and nutritious food, but also a way to enhance the beauty, functionality, and health benefits of landscapes. Whether you have a large backyard, a small balcony, or a community space, you can incorporate edible plants into your design and enjoy the rewards of growing your own food. Here are some effective ways to incorporate edible gardens into landscapes for health benefits.

1 Choose plants that suit your site

Before you start planting, you need to assess your site conditions and select plants that will thrive in your climate, soil, sun exposure, and water availability. You also need to consider your personal preferences, such as what types of food you like to eat, how much time and effort you are willing to invest, and how much space you have. Some examples of edible plants that can adapt to different environments are herbs, lettuce, kale, strawberries, blueberries, tomatoes, peppers, beans, and peas.

Add your perspective

Kevin Post

Landscape Architect creating outdoor lifestyle spaces | Future landscape visionary by using 3D and VR | Passionate about the outdoors, nature, and adventure | oala, csla
Report contribution
It is possible to transform your entire garden into an edible one, with various options ranging from common fruits and vegetables like blueberries and lettuce to native species such as maple trees. Even plants that are typically considered nuisances to gardeners, like the dandelion and mustard garlic, can be eaten. You can even create a perennial food garden where the trees, shrubs, and perennials are carefully selected to provide food all year round. With careful research, you can even create a native edible garden, as indigenous peoples did for thousands of years. To ensure successful plant growth and fruit development before winter, one must understand local plant zones, soil type, drainage, sunlight exposure, and typical growing days.

Like

2 Mix edibles with ornamentals

One of the easiest ways to incorporate edible gardens into landscapes is to mix them with ornamental plants that have similar or complementary characteristics. For example, you can plant herbs among flowers to create a colorful and fragrant border, or you can use fruit trees and shrubs as focal points or screens. You can also use edible plants as ground covers, climbers, or containers to add texture and interest to your landscape. Mixing edibles with ornamentals can also help attract pollinators, deter pests, and improve soil quality.

Add your perspective

Kevin Anderson-Garrity 🪴🌳

Adept Green Industry Professional: Keen Grounds Enhancements🏠| Plant Identification🌿| Growth Pruning🍃| Landscape Design⚜️| Emotional Intelligence🖤| Lifelong Learner 🧑🏽🏫 | Highly Perceptive 🔎| Growth Mindset 💪🏽
Report contribution
In my experience, vertical gardening and incorporating those structures is an excellent way to add edibles that can be medical plants in addition to ornamentals. With vertical gardening, accessibility is enhanced both for access to fruit and the garden, weeding is reduced. I've also found fewer soil-born issues and more visibility and increased proactivity when there is an issue. From my experienance adding ornamentals to edibles is easy because so many are the same, being multifunctional as with everything some research or required. Edible vines such as cucumber, beans, hyacinth beans, and Malabar Spinach can offer shade and cooling for other crops think trellis at a 60-degree angle and extend the season of cool season edibles.

Like

3 Design for aesthetics and function

Another way to incorporate edible gardens into landscapes is to design them for both aesthetics and function. This means that you should consider how your edible plants will look throughout the seasons, how they will harmonize with the rest of your landscape, and how they will serve your needs and goals. For example, you can create a formal or informal layout, use geometric shapes or curves, create symmetrical or asymmetrical patterns, and use color, texture, and height to create contrast or unity. You should also think about how you will access, harvest, and maintain your edible plants, and how you will use them in your cooking or preserving.

Add your perspective

4 Create a multi-sensory experience

A third way to incorporate edible gardens into landscapes is to create a multi-sensory experience that stimulates your sight, smell, taste, touch, and hearing. Edible plants can offer a variety of sensory pleasures, such as the vibrant colors of berries and flowers, the aromatic scents of herbs and spices, the sweet and sour flavors of fruits and vegetables, the soft and crunchy textures of leaves and seeds, and the soothing and cheerful sounds of birds and bees. By creating a multi-sensory experience, you can enhance your enjoyment, appreciation, and connection with your edible garden and your landscape.

Add your perspective

5 Involve your family and community

A final way to incorporate edible gardens into landscapes is to involve your family and community in the process. Edible gardens can provide opportunities for learning, sharing, and bonding with your loved ones and neighbors. You can teach your children or grandchildren about the benefits of growing and eating healthy food, and encourage them to participate in planting, watering, weeding, and harvesting. You can also share your surplus produce, seeds, or recipes with your friends or colleagues, or join a local gardening club or network. By involving your family and community, you can foster a sense of pride, responsibility, and belonging in your edible garden and your landscape.

Add your perspective

Kevin Post

Landscape Architect creating outdoor lifestyle spaces | Future landscape visionary by using 3D and VR | Passionate about the outdoors, nature, and adventure | oala, csla
Report contribution
Teaching children about gardening is an excellent way to teach essential life skills, such as the life cycle, healthy eating, dedication, responsibility, and pride. As an added benefit, food grown in your own garden always tastes better than store brought.

Like

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

Add your perspective

Kevin Post

Landscape Architect creating outdoor lifestyle spaces | Future landscape visionary by using 3D and VR | Passionate about the outdoors, nature, and adventure | oala, csla
Report contribution
Indigenous communities have known about the edible properties of different plants and mushrooms for centuries. Among my favourite natives is the American basswood, whose leaves are delicious. Unless it is a very common garden vegetable, thorough research from multiple sources is essential. Carefully examine plant descriptions to ensure that you're identifying them accurately. Additionally, consider taking courses to learn more about this fascinating topic.

Like

What are some effective ways to incorporate edible gardens into landscapes for health benefits?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Choose plants that suit your site

2 Mix edibles with ornamentals

3 Design for aesthetics and function

4 Create a multi-sensory experience

5 Involve your family and community

6 Here’s what else to consider

Landscape Architecture

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

More articles on Landscape Architecture

More relevant reading

What are some effective ways to incorporate edible gardens into landscapes for health benefits?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Choose plants that suit your site

2 Mix edibles with ornamentals

3 Design for aesthetics and function

4 Create a multi-sensory experience

5 Involve your family and community

6 Here’s what else to consider

Landscape Architecture

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

Explore Other Skills