Buzz
For many, landscaping is simply about visual appeal. We focus on enhancing our home's exterior with pristine lawns and vibrant borders, creating a picture-perfect look (unless you’re doing it wrong). But when you think about it, spending substantial time, money, and energy on plants that only serve to beautify our surroundings seems wasteful.
Lately, a new trend is gaining popularity as an alternative to conventional landscaping: foodscaping. It’s a straightforward idea: Instead of planting decorative flora that has no other use, why not opt for edible plants—such as vegetables, herbs, fruit and nut trees, and edible flowers—that not only make your garden beautiful but also provide nourishment and benefit the environment.
The Advantages of Foodscaping
Foodscaping brings a variety of advantages compared to traditional landscaping:
Food. The primary benefit of foodscaping is that it provides fresh, organic produce for you and your family to enjoy.
Money. Growing your own food can help reduce grocery costs—potentially saving you several hundred dollars annually.
Water. Traditional lawns and landscaping can require excessive amounts of water. In contrast, foodscaping can drastically lower your water consumption.
Environment. Additionally, foodscaping helps minimize your ecological footprint: less driving to the store and reduced packaging waste from produce.
Although many people might think vegetables lack the visual appeal of typical landscaping plants, designing an edible garden that has visual impact is easier than you might think.
How to begin foodscaping
A key aspect of foodscaping is that it’s not an all-or-nothing approach. If you’ve already invested time and money into traditional landscaping or are unsure about diving into foodscaping fully, start small. For instance, you could begin by planting edible borders—lettuces work wonderfully for this, though any low-maintenance plant can do the job. Starting with an edible edge means you don’t have to rip out existing landscaping or worry about harming your home’s curb appeal.
Whether you choose to start small or completely transform your yard into a vibrant food-producing space, foodscaping is as simple as replacing non-edible plants with ones you can actually eat. Here’s a quick guide to help you get started:
Choose foods you enjoy. The main goal of foodscaping is to make your landscape more functional; there’s no sense in growing something you won’t eat. Start by thinking about the vegetables you regularly consume. You can browse the All-America Selections database to find varieties known to thrive in gardens across the U.S. Of course, knowing your USDA Zone and understanding what grows well in your climate is essential.
Use the same design principles. It’s a misconception that edible plants can’t be beautiful. Once you have your list of tasty edibles, you can design a landscape filled with color and depth, just like traditional gardens. And don’t worry—it’s perfectly fine to blend edible and non-edible plants if that’s what you need to achieve your desired aesthetic. You’ll still enjoy the economic and environmental perks of foodscaping, and you can expand your foodscape as you go along.
Keep in mind that most edibles are annuals. While perennials can be a great addition for year-round structure, the majority of foodscaping plants are annuals. This means you’re not locked into a permanent choice: if you’re not thrilled with how things turn out or you pick the wrong plants, you can simply try new varieties the next season.
Think practically. Plants that grow as vines, like melons or tomatoes, are perfect for use on fences to create visually appealing barriers. Artichokes grow tall and have beautiful flowers, making them ideal for color accents. Strawberries, on the other hand, are excellent for ground cover.
Other factors to consider
Before diving into foodscaping, one important thing to consider is local regulations, particularly if your home is governed by a Homeowners Association (HOA). Some HOAs can be very strict about having vegetables in the front yard, so make sure you’re not risking fines by choosing to pursue foodscaping.
It’s also a good idea to think about protecting your foodscape from local animals that may see it as an all-you-can-eat buffet. There are several humane ways to deter animals from raiding your crops, such as planting mint or garlic (which many animals dislike) or using sound or invisible fencing. It’s best to plan this out ahead of time rather than waking up to find that your front yard has become the local wildlife’s dinner party.
