Edible Landscaping

Chemically maintained lawns have a variety of detrimental environmental impacts: The fertilizers and pesticides you put on your lawn end up running off into our water supplies which in turn damage ecosystems and may impact human health as well. Most of us also manicure our lawns with a gas powered mower which is a frivolous use of a scarce natural commodity. This year when you are planning your spring planting, consider edible landscaping as an alternative way to beautify your space.

Rosalind Creasy is a gardening expert who has been encouraging us to consider edible landscaping since the 1970s. She encourages us to take the vegetable garden out of the backyard and instead to disperse beautiful flowering and fruiting plants all around our yards. Her ideas have recently reemerged as more people consider the environmental impacts of their lifestyles. She has just published her latest book called Rosalind Creasy’s Recipes from the Garden. I learned of her when she was recently interviewed by Lynn Rosetto Casper on the Splendid Table .

Check out Rosalind’s website where she gives information on types of plants you can grow in your front yard as well as many other environmentally friendly household tips. Even if you are not ready to part with your lawn, consider replacing an ornamental or two with a blueberry or raspberry bush, or just put a few smaller herb or fruit plants in between what you already have. That way, even if you must fire up the mower for lawn care, you may be able to avoid a gas powered trip to the grocery store the next time you find yourself needing a bunch of parsley.

If you have ideas or experience with edible landscaping in your own yard, please share with us! I myself am planning to move our own meager backyard garden out front this year to further cut down on lawn care.