When did we begin to relegate our vegetables to the outer limits of our gardens as if they were second class citizens?
Possibly after World War II when homeowners had larger lawns and were encouraged to keep them well-manicured. Ornamental plants became the predictable bright colored annuals and food was coming into stores from around the world so the need for a home garden was reduced.
Fortunately there has been a movement to grow our own food, and many are doing this in very small spaces, creating the need to once again build an edible landscape.
For centuries, edible and ornamental plants coexisted in harmony side by side in the same garden beds. Yet somewhere along the garden path, someone decided that our garden face should be ornamental; a feat unattainable by an edible plant. Nothing could be more incorrect.
We can look to the English cottage garden as an example of how to mix the two; edible plants have been used to line pathways creating a “kitchen garden” throughout the landscape as an example.
Perhaps it was the size and scope of our yards that simply allowed us to segregate the two groups, whereas other cultures were existing on much smaller plots where every inch mattered. And when their space ran out, window boxes were created for herbs. Some plants, like nasturtiums, perform both functions by beautifying the garden and also by being a tasty addition to a salad.
Garden edges can be outlined and defined by using dwarf berries to build low hedges, another design method used in England. If there is a wet spot in the yard, they have learned that asparagus will thrive there and later will provide the gardener with months of tall feathery stems. Unsightly fences can be covered with peas, cucumbers and climbing squash intermixed with annuals such as zinnias or sweet peas.
As space becomes more precious in our own country, we see more gardeners revisiting the methods of the past and integrating edibles into their ornamental borders. Attention needs to be paid to the growing conditions of the plants, such as water usage and fertilizing needs, sun or shade tolerance, etc.
Ornamental and edible plants sharing the same space need to be able to thrive under the same growing conditions. Ornamental plants that need chemical spraying should not be grown next to those plants being raised for food.
Looking for a groundcover? Consider herbs like thyme, mint or oregano; or plant strawberries whose evergreen leaves tie the garden together in the offseason.
It is also known that nectar production is increased when flowers are present as they draw beneficial insects into the garden. These beneficials protect our edible plants and their pollinators.
One of the most popular Swiss Chard plants in the world is “Brite Lites” and although it is definitely a tasty vegetable, its popularity skyrocketed due to its bright rainbow colored stems. When these plants are backlit by the sun, the effect is truly mesmerizing.
Late summer is the perfect time of year to inventory those empty spots in the garden, and to review your current color palette and existing textures. Develop a list of your favorite fruits and vegetables and consider growing them among the existing ornamental plants and shrubs.
Herbs are a wonderful addition to the beds nearest the kitchen so that they can be harvested quickly as needed all year long. Borders that are visible from the house are prime candidates for colorful and textural vegetables as they will lengthen the garden season while also adding beauty.
If there is only room for one tree, consider a fruit-bearing one instead of a deciduous one. A plum, pear or apple tree can provide the same shade as the ornamental, but will also be a food source.
When one tires of the tasteless fruit and produce that is shipped to our stores from all over the world, it is time to transform his or her own garden into a living buffet. One that is nutritious as well as beautiful; a true feast for both the body and spirit.
Sandra Schumacher writes the Plant of Merit column for The Herald and is a freelance garden writer and Master Gardener. She is a member of Garden Writers of America.
Read more
“Edible Front Yard,” by Ivette Soler, Timber Press, February 2013
“Edible Landscaping,” by Rosalind Creasy, Counterpoint Publishers, November 2010
“Landscaping with Fruit,” by Lee Reich, Storey Publishing, February 2009
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