Edible Gardeni

After many years of being hidden behind buildings and out of sight, fruit trees and edible plants have found their way to perennials beds and containers. Edibles are now accepted as landscape material. It can't be overemphasized the potential for beauty that landscaping with edibles holds. The colorful foliage of cabbage and lettuce will work wonderful in shade gardens, while squash and pumpkins can help fill in those sun gardens. An edible garden means delicious eating and a beautiful yard.

How to start

Determine your desires and priorities - growing food, saving water, getting rid of lawn?

Compost - start a compost pile (see February's newsletter for detailed instructions)

Take into consideration the wind, sun, view, wildlife and fire - plan your garden accordingly.

Get a soil test before you plant - soil is the base of the ecological pyramid.

If all this is still intimidating, start with containers. Containers are a good place for incorporating edibles into your yard. Those beautiful pots that hold your favorite flowers can also grow vegetables.

Kitchen gardens would be the next small step. Build a small area close to the back door or kitchen door so that you can grow lettuces, herbs and other vegetables that you might use every day.

Companion planting (interplanting two or more crops in the same area) is often utilized when blending flowers and vegetables. Certain combinations of vegetables, herbs and flowers have the capability of deterring specific insects and can also work to increase the vigor of one another.

Water - every drop of water in our area should be captured. The end result of composting should be deep, spongy humus which will slow evaporation and hold water.

Sheet mulching - an easy way to get rid of your lawn, eradicate weeds, conserve water and build soils into humusy earth so you can grow healthy, edible fruits and vegetables.

Perennials

Why perennials? What makes them so desirable is they’re easy. They come back and they come back bigger and brighter than the year before. A perennial is defined as a plant that comes back from the root for 3 or more seasons. Perennials can be used in garden beds or containers; they add color and texture, creating a special look. From the wellknown perennials to the new varieties, it is easy to find a special and interesting look for your garden.

Perennials, like most plants, need well drained soil. They can be heavy feeders, meaning that a regular watering and feeding are important to keep up with their growth and blooming habits.

Most garden centers, especially the Garden Shop Nursery, will have plants tagged with the name, some with growing information, and the price. If you are shopping and find a plant that does not have a tag, find someone who knows perennials and ask them to help you.

Spring Tree Planting

This is a great time to plant trees, shrubs and perennials. Many annuals and vegetables can also be planted, and you may consider getting your tomatoes planted and be ready to cover as needed. But, let's talk trees for now. The soil is warming up which means that it is waking up, what organic microbes that are in the soil are becoming active, and the soil may be easier to dig in because of all if the moisture we have received during the winter and spring.

There are a few things that you will need to consider before planting. Most importantly is the size of the tree; will it out grow the area too quickly? Pick a tree that will fit the area. The next thing to know is the sun exposure that the tree will be planted in. If it is like the Japanese maple or a Dogwood some shade in the afternoon is a must. Finally water; planting a tree in a lawn and only watering it as much as your lawn is not recommended. The tree will need deep watering to ensure the roots can grow deeper in the soil.

For more information on any of these topics or any other gardening topics contact Marnie Brennan, Garden Coach at the Garden Shop Nursery at marnie@gardenshopnursery.com . Marnie is an ISA Certified Arborist, and a UNR Nursery Working Certificated Training Student at TMCC’s Horticulture Program. She hosts the Impatient Gardener, on AM 1240.