Edible landscaping tips from Jonathan Hull and Tim Malinich:
• Start small. Limit the number and variety of new plants you add each year. That way you won’t be overwhelmed by the amount of information you need to learn about them.
• Choose sunny sites. Food plants need a lot of sunlight to produce the best-tasting fruits and vegetables. If you don’t plant in full sun, the plants might still look nice, but the food they produce will have a lower sugar content and won’t be as tasty.
• Be aware of plant competition. Larger plants such as trees and shrubs can take a big share of water and nutrients, leaving an insufficient amount for the smaller plants.
• Have a water source. Your food plants may need supplemental water, so make sure you have a hose or some other water source that can reach them.
• Plan for wildlife. Birds and beasts like to eat many of the same things we do, so edible landscaping is likely to attract them to your yards. Some people want that; others don’t.
If you intend to protect your plants from wildlife, consider the ramifications. For example, you might be tempted to plant a berry bush in your front yard, but “how’s that going to look in your design when it’s covered with bird netting later in the season?” Malinich asked.
• Be prepared for trade-offs. If you’re used to spraying your plants for insects or diseases, you’re going to need to be cautious. Consider integrated pest management instead, an approach that looks at all the factors that keep plants healthy and de-emphasizes chemical controls.
• Know what you’re growing. Just because someone told you a plant is edible doesn’t mean it is. Be sure before you eat it. It’s also a good idea to eat only a small amount of a new food at first, just to make sure you’re not allergic to it.
• Expand your horizons. Study how to prepare the foods you’re growing, so you’ll enjoy them and they won’t go to waste.
