Designing and planting an edible landscape means you would have a significant amount of your plant materials that you could actually consume. This definition takes it a bit further than the pot of culinary herbs by the kitchen door. An edible landscape would have fruit trees and vines, spectacular varieties of lettuces and peppers, even edible flowers all mingling in just the right amount.
More than a Vegetable Garden
The benefits of an edible landscape are two-fold. First, there's the obvious bonus of having delicious fruits and vegetables right at hand. The second benefit is the interesting and dramatic impact such a design can have on your property. Florida's climate can allow for an amazing variety of edible plants to be grown in our yards.
Be Sure to Pace Yourself
Whether you're considering either creating an entire edible landscape, or just incorporating a few "goodies" here and there in your existing plan, be sure to pace yourself. Growing edible plants means a real commitment. For one thing, the use of chemicals will need to halt or be severely curtailed. Pesticides and herbicides are not advised for use on plants that will be eaten. This means dealing with pests and diseases will need to be handled in a more organic fashion. Many gardeners already use natural pest treatments and a method called "companion" planting. The Gardener's Network has an informative web page on companion planting that provides a brief definition and examples of plants that do well together.
Great! What Should I Plant?
So you're sold on the idea of an edible landscape, or at least you're more curious at it. What types of edible plants would do well in my Florida zone and look great in my landscape? First, think about your existing landscape. Maybe you'd like to plant some fruit trees near your patio or front porch. Not a bad idea, but you'll need to consider the amount of fruit that might wind up on your walks and paths. A possible solution is to keep your fruit trees in containers. That way they will remain a manageable size, enjoy their lovely blossoms and you'll still have fruit. If you're starting from scratch consider the amount of time you have for gathering the potential bounty of your edible landscape. A few select specimen plants such as banana or mango will go a long way in adding the tropical feel to your garden. Interplant herbs with your perennials, mix runner beans with the morning glory on the vine.
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