Edible Landscaping

It dates at least to the ancient Persians, if not to the Garden of Eden. And in the past few decades there's been a revival of interest. Since edible plants come in all shapes and sizes — trees, shrubs, plants — they can be as attractive as ornamentals and still produce food you can eat. The advantages? The nutrients and flavor of fruits and veggies are highest just after harvest, so you can enjoy their freshness just by stepping outside your door. You also can control the kinds and quantity of pesticides and fertilizers, grow unusual varieties, save on grocery bills and just have plain old fun. Whether you put herb pots and tomato plants on the patio, cherry tomatoes in a window box, plant nasturtium, violas and day lilies in your front yard, train raspberries to grow up on your fence, or plant a fruit tree instead of a shade one, you are part of a growing movement of replacing residential landscaping with an edible one.