What Is Edible Landscaping

Inside: Edible landscaping provides a person with a great amount of return for their hard work. So what exactly is an edible landscape?

Edible landscaping—also known as foodscaping—is a great way to combine beautiful blossoms and ornamental plants with food-producing plants in your yard. Instead of a traditional lawn that requires maintenance but gives little in return, an edible landscape provides both good looks and a bountiful harvest of fresh produce.

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Foodscaping | How to Create an Edible Landscape

This approach to gardening has gained popularity due to rising food prices, the desire for food security, and the movement toward more sustainable edible landscapes. Whether you have a small space or a large front yard, foodscaping allows you to create a visually appealing, productive, and environmentally friendly garden.

Ready to transform your yard into an edible estate? Let’s dive into the best plants, design tips, and techniques to help you get started.

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An edible landscape blends food crops with ornamental garden elements. Unlike a traditional vegetable garden, which is often tucked away in the backyard, a foodscape integrates fruit trees, perennial herbs, edible flowers, and vegetable plants into the overall landscape design.

Edible Landscape vs. Traditional Landscaping

Feature	Traditional Landscape	Edible Landscape
Primary Purpose	Aesthetic appeal	Aesthetic + food production
Plant Types	Ornamental plants only	Edible + ornamental
Maintenance	Regular watering, mowing, and pruning	Regular harvesting, pruning, and replanting
Benefits	Visual appeal	Food, beauty, and sustainability

By using the right plants in the right place, you can create a productive landscape that is not only beautiful but also practical.

Getting Started: Designing Your Edible Landscape

Creating an edible landscape is about more than just growing food—it’s about blending function with aesthetics. Here’s how to plan and design your space for maximum productivity and visual appeal.

Choose the Right Location

Full sun is ideal for most food crops, including cherry tomatoes, swiss chard, and pole beans.
If you have cold weather, select cold-hardy fruit trees like cherry trees or pineapple guavas.
Well-drained soil is essential to prevent root rot and encourage fruit production.

Select the Best Plants for Your Climate

Check your hardiness zone to ensure you're choosing disease-resistant and drought-tolerant plants that will thrive in your region.

Great Choices for Edible Landscaping:

Fruit Trees: Apple, peach, plum, cherry trees
Nut Trees: Almond, walnut, hazelnut
Perennial Herbs: Rosemary, thyme, oregano
Edible Flowers: Nasturtiums, sweet alyssum, violets
Ground Cover: Strawberries, creeping thyme
Vegetables: Alpine strawberries, swiss chard, pole beans

Focus on Layers for a Productive Landscape

Use a food forest approach by layering different plants to maximize space and productivity.

Canopy Layer (Tall Trees): Nut trees, large fruit trees
Understory Layer: Dwarf fruit trees, perennial plants
Shrub Layer: Berry bushes, edible flowers
Ground Cover: Herbs, strawberries, low-growing greens

garden supplies with some lettuce starts

Create Focal Points with Edible Plants

A well-designed edible landscape includes focal points that draw the eye while also providing food.

Beautiful Blossoms: Use fruit trees that bloom in early spring for seasonal beauty.
Water Features: Surround a pond or fountain with edible plants for added charm.
Flower Beds: Combine edible flowers with perennial herbs in container gardens or raised beds.

Incorporate Companion Planting for Pest Control

Using beneficial insects like tachinid flies and planting pest-repelling herbs can help reduce pest problems naturally.

Great Companion Planting Combinations:

Tomatoes + Basil → Improves flavor and deters pests.
Pole Beans + Swiss Chard → Saves space and enhances soil health.
Sweet Alyssum + Fruit Trees → Attracts pollinators for better fruit production.

Edible Landscaping in Small Spaces & Urban Environments

Even if you don’t have a large yard, you can still enjoy a productive edible garden.

Possible Solutions for Small Spaces:

Vertical Gardening: Grow climbing plants like beans or grapes on trellises.
Container Gardens: Use pots for perennial herbs, strawberries, and cherry tomatoes.
Front Yard Gardens: Replace a traditional lawn with a mix of food crops and ornamental plants.

Many urban environments also support community gardens, where you can grow fresh fruits and vegetables if you lack outdoor space.

Edible Landscaping: A Sustainable, Beautiful Choice

Edible landscaping is more than a trend—it’s a great way to create a productive, sustainable, and visually appealing yard. Whether you’re looking to grow a kitchen garden, front yard foodscape, or container garden, foodscaping is a good option for anyone who wants to reduce grocery store costs while enjoying the fresh flavors of homegrown food.

Start small, group plants wisely, and enjoy the process of creating a gorgeous, food-producing landscape that will serve you for years to come!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an edible landscape? Edible landscaping is the process and practice of including, in your garden, plants whose fruits, foliage, flowers, roots, and other parts (sap!) can be eaten.

What is considered edible? An edible item is any item that is safe for humans to eat.