Florida landscapes can be about more than just growing flowers and decorative plants. You also have the option to plant fruits, herbs, and vegetables to achieve an edible landscape. If you want a type of landscaping that requires less maintenance, perennial edible plants are the best option to consider. Aside from growing food, you are also maintaining an attractive yard. Here’s how you can get started:
Landscaping with edibles – what you need to know?
Most homeowners consider a landscape composed mostly of flowers, lawn, and decorative shrubs and trees the norm. However, edible landscapes are not new to the scene. Adding edibles to home landscaping has been around for decades. It’s a practice that adds interest, as well as a source of fresh food to any yard. The fact that less than 2% of Americans are engaged in farming makes this idea an exciting way to bring agriculture into the urban landscape.
Maintaining a typical Florida landscape may not be your idea of an exciting weekend hobby. Mowing the lawn weekly can be a mundane task, of which you will soon grow tired. With edibles, you can kick your typical landscape up a notch. A well-planned edible landscape does not require more maintenance, and it will also attract insects that are beneficial to the environment.
Consider These Factors Before Starting An Edible Landscape
1. Time
Although an edible landscape can be lots of fun, it does not mean you do not have to be committed. Maintenance is still essential in keeping things tidy. If you are time-constrained but want to enjoy the fruits (excuse the pun) of growing edibles, consider planting fruit trees, perennials, or perhaps designating a small space for growing herbs and vegetables. When you grow annual plants, you need to pay more attention to ensure things look good year-round. Take time to create a plan that doesn’t leave you with empty spots. You will need to fill the space once you have harvested what you have planted.
Yards in Cape Coral, Fort Myers, and the surrounding areas are pretty big. If you love the idea of an edible garden, but don’t want yard work to become a fulltime job, consider getting help. Find balance by hiring a service to mow the lawn and trim hedges, while designating an area with a size you feel comfortable with to grow your edibles.
2. Money
Another factor you need to take into consideration is money since plants can get expensive. Keep in mind that landscaping is for the long-term, and alternatives such as buying seeds as a substitute are way cheaper. You will need to choose fast-growing plants that can fill in the empty spaces while waiting for perennial plants to mature.
Certain kinds of plants are more expensive, for example, if you would like to plant mature fruit trees. Consider spreading the cost over time by planting them one at a time. Fortunately, Florida has a long planting window, which makes this easier.
3. Children and pets
You will need to make sure that your garden beds are not easily accessible to walk through or step in. Creating some obstacles and diversions will keep pets and kids away from your plants. When planting edibles, you need to know which area you are going to start your landscaping project. The stream of traffic by kids and dogs should be minimized.
How to increase the visual appeal of your edible landscape?
First, you need to make sure that you keep simplicity in mind. If you have a traditional hedge such as Ficus or Aboricola, you can replace it with an edible version such as berries.
It is also necessary that you keep a balanced landscape. Maintaining balance will depend on the type of edibles you decide to plant.
You should also include the line in your design principle. It can serve as the edge of your garden or a curved walkway. There are many options that you can define the garden bed, including adding an edge or retaining wall.
Although you are planting edibles, you will still need to maintain a unified look, so your landscape continues to attract attention not only from humans but also from beneficial insects. Start by grouping plants according to their types. Sort them by textures or colors. If you want to add emphasis, you can also plant a specimen tree as it will create a focal point. Some of the options to consider are mango, citrus, guava, litchee, or any other type of tropical fruit.
R & R Sprinkler & Landscape
931 SE 11th Avenue
Cape Coral, FL 33990
(239) 772-2607
