An important thing to consider on your way to developing an edible landscape is how you want to grow your plants. What growing system do you want to use? As part of your plan you will need to figure out how you want to structure your garden and the growing system you choose can provide that structure.
There are several basic systems you can choose from to grow your edible landscape. You don’t have to tie yourself down to one system. Feel free to pick what works best in your garden and what you find interesting. Growing your plants in a method that you are passionate about is very important!
Raised Beds
Raised beds are one of my favorite methods to grow my edibles because of their benefits. Herbs, vegetables, and fruits can all be grown successfully. Raised beds provide a rich soil that you have control of, have good drainage, and look great aesthetically with a wide variety of materials. Materials can range from wood to stone and can be of many different shapes and sizes. Raised beds don’t have to have structured sides and can simply be a large mound of soil or a berm which can be incorporated into any landscape plan. (Related post: Designing a Raised Bed Garden.)
Pots
Essentially growing a plant in a pot is like a mini-raised bed garden. Pots look their best when incorporated into other garden areas where it becomes a focal point to draw the eye. Select plants for pots that have a more compact size. Herb combinations like rosemary and thyme look great when planted in a large pot. For vegetables look for bush plants or determinant plants to fill your pots. With pots you have some added versatility that you may not have with other types of gardens. When it gets cold you can bring plants indoors to overwinter or just to protect from frost. Small citrus plants can be grown indoors when it isn’t seasonally possible outdoors and you can even overwinter tender perennials like peppers.
In the Ground!
Vertical Gardening
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| This is from the Nashville Lawn and Garden Show. It shows pansies being used vertically but they could easily be swapped out for colorful lettuces, kales, or chard. |
Green Roof Gardening
Hydroponics
Aquaponics
Your plan needs to contain the main growing methods you plan to use. Concentrate on the first three methods using raised beds, pots, or planting in the soil then as interest or time allows try out some of the other methods! Your garden is only limited by your imagination (and maybe your pocketbook)!
If you’ve missed anything in the edible gardening series you can find it here: Edible Landscaping for Beginners.
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