Edible Landscaping: More Than Just a Pretty Garden…

Edible landscaping will transform the way you think about your outdoor spaces. It combines fruits, vegetables, and herbs with traditional landscaping design to create gardens that are not only beautiful but also practical and sustainable. Why settle for a garden that’s only ornamental when it can also be a source of delicious, homegrown produce? Whether you’re a home gardener or a landscaping professional, edible landscaping offers a fresh and rewarding way to rethink your garden.

BBC Food – Edible Garden

What is Edible Landscaping?

Edible landscaping is the art of blending functionality with aesthetics. Instead of relegating your fruit and vegetable plants to a back corner, this approach integrates them into your main garden design. From vibrant borders to edible hedges, the possibilities are endless. Not only does this style of gardening enhance your outdoor space visually, but it also provides a steady supply of fresh, homegrown produce.

How to Embrace Edible Landscaping

Blended Borders

Transform your garden beds into vibrant, multi-functional displays by combining edible plants with ornamental flowers.

• What to Plant: Colourful lettuces, kale, Swiss chard, and herbs like parsley can pair beautifully with bright flowers like marigolds and nasturtiums.
• Benefits: Blended borders don’t just look amazing—they also boost biodiversity and attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.

Fruit Trees as Features

Small fruiting trees can double as stunning focal points in your garden while offering delicious harvests.

• What to Plant: Dwarf apple or pear trees, fig trees, or citrus trees (if your climate allows). Espaliered trees, which are pruned to grow flat against a wall or fence, are a great option for smaller spaces.
• Design Ideas: Position a dwarf fruit tree at the centre of a garden bed or use a row of espaliered trees to create a natural yet productive privacy screen.

Vertical Gardens

For smaller gardens or urban spaces, vertical gardening is an ideal solution for incorporating edible plants without sacrificing ground space.

• What to Plant: Climbing edibles like beans, peas, cucumbers, and even some squash varieties.
• Structures to Use: Trellises, arched tunnels, or wall-mounted planters can all be used to support your vertical garden.

Edible Hedges

Replace traditional hedges with edible plants that look just as good as their ornamental counterparts while offering the bonus of a harvest.

•What to Plant: Blueberry bushes, rosemary, currants, or espaliered fruit trees are great options for edible hedges.

•Design Benefits: Edible hedges create natural boundaries and privacy while producing food for your table.

Practical Tips for Edible Gardening

Soil Quality: Edible plants thrive in nutrient-rich, well-draining soil. Use Raised Garden Beds to control soil conditions and create ergonomic planting areas that are easy to maintain. They’re especially helpful for growing vegetables and herbs that need deep, loose soil.

Permeable Pathways: Moving around your edible garden should be easy and practical. CORE PATH Gravel Grids are an excellent solution for creating stable, permeable walkways. These grids ensure that paths remain durable even in wet conditions, preventing muddy tracks and maintaining the beauty of your garden.

Watering and Irrigation: Edible plants often require more water than purely ornamental ones. Consider installing a drip irrigation system or use mulch to retain soil moisture around your plants.

Pest Control: Companion planting is a natural way to protect your edible plants. Marigolds, for example, deter aphids and nematodes while attracting beneficial insects like ladybirds.

Garden – Ivette Solar, edibles mixed with ornamentals in the front garden, sidewalk strips, and backyard raised beds. (Photo: Ann Summa),

Why Choose Edible Landscaping?

Edible landscaping isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s a lifestyle. By growing your own food, you reduce reliance on store-bought produce, which often comes with a hefty carbon footprint. Plus, you get the satisfaction of picking fresh, organic ingredients straight from your garden.

This approach also encourages biodiversity, as edible plants attract pollinators and other wildlife to your garden. Whether you’re replacing a traditional hedge with blueberries or using kale to add a pop of colour to your borders, edible landscaping combines beauty, utility, and sustainability.

Ready to turn your garden into a feast for the eyes and the palate?

Edible landscaping makes your outdoor space work harder for you while still looking stunning. For all the tools and materials you need, explore The Ideal Garden’s range of sustainable gardening products, including Raised Garden Beds and CORE PATH Gravel Grids.

Get growing and start enjoying the benefits of a garden that’s both pretty and practical!