Step outside and look at your landscape, i'm sure it's beautiful, but is it also practical? That's where my concept of a "foodscape" comes in. A foodscape is a landscape that's not just pretty to look at but also serves a practical purpose and also helps improve your nutrition. Every part of it is usable, filled with beautiful plants for you to eat! Here are 18 delicious and nutritious edible plants to get you started on creating your own foodscape.
Fruit
Blueberry Bushes
Blueberry bushes are not just a source of delicious berries, but they also add a touch of visual interest to your landscape. Imagine the delicate white flowers in spring and the fiery red foliage in fall, creating a stunning backdrop for your garden. These compact shrubs are perfect for borders, hedges, or mixed in with other ornamental plants. And the best part? Blueberries are rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, making them a nutritious addition to your diet.
Dwarf Apple Trees
Dwarf apple trees are a great choice for small spaces, offering beautiful blossoms in spring and a harvest of crisp, flavorful apples in fall. They can be grown in containers or as a focal point in your garden. These trees thrive in a sunny location with well-drained soil. Apples are a good source of fiber and vitamin C, providing both nutritional value and ornamental appeal to your landscape.
Strawberries
Strawberries are not just delicious, they are also a powerhouse of nutrition. They serve as excellent ground cover, spreading out to create a lush carpet of green foliage dotted with sweet, juicy berries. Plant them in a sunny spot with well-draining soil, either in garden beds, hanging baskets, or containers. Strawberries are packed with vitamin C, antioxidants, and fiber, making them a healthy and versatile addition to your landscape.
Herbs
Rosemary
Rosemary is a fragrant herb with evergreen foliage and delicate blue flowers that bring a touch of the Mediterranean to your landscape. Plant it in a sunny, well-drained location in pots or directly in the ground. It can be used as a low hedge, border plant, or focal point in herb gardens. It's rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties, making it a flavorful and beneficial addition to your culinary repertoire.
Lavender
Lavender is prized for its soothing aroma and vibrant purple blooms, adding beauty and fragrance to any garden. Plant it in a sunny spot with well-drained soil, where it can thrive as a border plant, in rock gardens, or as a fragrant addition to flower beds. Lavender is known for its calming effects and is commonly used in aromatherapy, herbal sachets, and culinary dishes like lavender-infused desserts and teas.
Chives
Chives are a versatile herb that can add a burst of flavor and visual interest to your landscape. They are a perfect addition to herb gardens, borders, or containers. Chives are not only rich in vitamins A and C, as well as antioxidants, but they also make a delicious addition to your dishes. Use them fresh in salads and soups or as a garnish for a pop of color and flavor in your dishes.
Green Leafy Vegetables
Rainbow Chard
Rainbow chard is a showstopper in any garden with its vibrant, colorful stalks and nutritious leaves. Plant it in a sunny or partially shaded spot with well-drained soil, and it will reward you with a continuous harvest throughout the growing season. Its bold hues make it a standout addition to garden beds, borders, or even containers. Rainbow chard is packed with vitamins A, C, and K and antioxidants, making it a healthy and flavorful addition to salads, stir-fries, and soups.
Dinosaur Kale
Dinosaur kale, also known as Lacinato or Tuscan kale, is an heirloom variety prized for its textured, dark green leaves that add visual interest to garden beds. Plant it in a sunny location with well-drained soil, either as a border plant, in mixed beds, or in containers. Dinosaur kale is rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as calcium and fiber, making it a nutritional powerhouse. Use it in salads, smoothies, or sautéed dishes for a delicious and nutritious boost.
Colorful Lettuces
Colorful lettuces, such as red, green, and butterhead varieties, add visual interest and nutritional value to your garden. Plant them in a sunny to partially shaded location with well-drained soil, either in garden beds, containers, or raised beds. These lettuces come in a range of hues, from deep reds to vibrant greens, and can be harvested as baby greens or allowed to mature for full-sized heads. They are rich in vitamins A, C, and K and antioxidants, making them a healthy and flavorful addition to salads, sandwiches, and wraps. Experiment with different varieties to create a rainbow of colors in your garden and on your plate.
Fruiting Vegetables
Kaleidoscope Tomatoes
Kaleidoscope tomatoes offer vibrant colors, shapes, and sizes, creating a visual feast in your garden. Plant them in a sunny location with well-drained soil, either in garden beds, containers, or hanging baskets. These tomatoes come in a variety of hues, from rich reds to golden yellows, and even striped or multicolored patterns. They are rich in vitamins A and C and antioxidants, making them a nutritious and flavorful addition to salads, sandwiches, and sauces.
Rainbow Peppers
Rainbow peppers come in various colors, including red, orange, yellow, green, and even purple, adding a splash of color to your garden beds. Plant them in a sunny spot with well-drained soil, either in garden beds, containers, or raised beds. These peppers not only brighten up your garden but also provide a harvest of sweet, crunchy fruits that are rich in vitamins A and C and antioxidants. Use them fresh in salads, stir-fries, or stuffed for a colorful and delicious meal.
Sweet Peas
Sweet peas are climbing vines that produce sweet, edible pods and add vertical interest to your garden with their delicate flowers. Plant them in a sunny location with well-drained soil, either along trellises, fences, or in containers with support. These peas come in various colors, including white, pink, purple, and blue, and can be harvested as snap peas or left to mature for shelling peas. They are rich in vitamins A and C, fiber, and protein, making them a nutritious and flavorful addition to salads, stir-fries, and pasta dishes.
Root Vegetables
Rainbow Carrots
Rainbow carrots offer a dazzling display of colors, ranging from deep purples to vibrant yellows and oranges, adding vibrancy to your garden beds. Plant them in a sunny location with well-drained soil, either in raised beds, containers, or the ground. These carrots look beautiful and provide a tasty and nutritious harvest. Rich in vitamins A and C and antioxidants, they make a flavorful addition to salads, soups, and roasted vegetable dishes.
Beets
Beets are a versatile vegetable with vibrant greens and colorful roots that add visual interest to your garden beds. Plant them in a sunny spot with well-drained soil, either in garden beds or containers. Beets can be harvested for their roots and greens, offering a two-for-one deal in your garden. Rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as antioxidants and fiber, they are a nutritious addition to salads, soups, and side dishes.
Radishes
Radishes are fast-growing vegetables that add a pop of color to your garden beds with their vibrant hues and provide a crunchy, peppery addition to salads. Plant them in a sunny location with well-drained soil in rows or containers. Radishes are easy to grow and can be harvested in as little as three to four weeks, making them a quick and satisfying crop for beginner gardeners. Rich in vitamins C and B6 and potassium and fiber, they add flavor and nutrition to your culinary creations.
Edible Flowers
Nasturtiums
Bring a burst of color and flavor to your garden with vibrant nasturtiums. These edible flowers come in various hues, from fiery oranges to sunny yellows, and variegated leaves create a dazzling display in your garden beds or containers. Plant them in a sunny spot with well-drained soil and watch them thrive with minimal care. Nasturtiums add visual appeal and offer a peppery flavor that enhances salads, desserts, and garnishes.
Calendula
Add a touch of sunshine to your garden beds with cheerful calendula flowers. These bright orange and yellow blooms brighten your outdoor space and provide a burst of color and flavor to your culinary creations. Plant them in a sunny location with well-drained soil, either as a border plant or mixed with other edible plants. Calendula flowers are versatile and enhance salads, soups, and herbal teas.
Pansies
Elevate your garden and dishes with delicate pansy flowers. These charming blooms come in various colors, including purples, blues, and yellows, adding a touch of whimsy to your garden beds or containers. Plant them in a sunny to partially shaded spot with well-drained soil, where they'll thrive with regular watering. Pansies are beautiful and edible, making them a delightful addition to cakes, salads, and cocktails.
Foodscape Makeover with these 18 plants
Creating a landscape filled with edible plants has many benefits. It can make your property look beautiful and give your landscape a unique twist. But most importantly, it's a way to add healthy food to your space. I encourage you to start with one of these options. And if you're ready for a complete foodscape makeover, check out my plan options. I'll be happy to help you get started.
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