Roses are pretty and and their colors are great
but wouldn’t it be better if
they were something you ate?
The poem about roses passes through my mind as I walk through a suburban garden. Whilst flowers and ornamental trees and shrubs are very pretty, I’d prefer a to see an edible garden with flowering vegetable patches instead.
Edible gardens are nothing new. Growing your own food was certainly familiar to our ancestors. However, most of us live in cities these days with small suburban blocks and are far removed from where our food is grown, far away on industrialised farms. In that time we have forgotten how pretty an edible garden looks and feels to walk around.
No doubt the reimergence of edible gardens has been inspired by hikes in vegetable and fruit prices but also a renewed appreciation of how attractive an edible garden can be.
Edible gardens are very pretty. Pumpkins in full bloom have bright yellow flowers that open for pollination. Scarlet runner beans have red and white flowers that snake along its vine and make pretty decorations to fences and walls. Brocoli has smaller, delicate flowers at the end of its season whilst peanut shrubs have orange flower buds and bright green leaves. Tomatoes have their combination of red fruit whilst squashe have edible flowers that can be used in stir frys. Beetroots have a lovely green and red leaf whilst walnut trees have gorgeous brown and green tinges.
Not only the flowers of the growing plant are attractive but also the end result. Pumpkins of varying colors, the greens of zucchines, white cauliflowers, yellow squashes, red beetroot, purple and yellow beans, lush green foliage of strawberries and so much more. As I wander round my 2 acre property I imagine it all edible. I drop snow peas and bush peas as I walk to see them grow up the old fencing. I plant seedlings from my greenhouse all over the place even if the dogs sometimes trample on them. I have sunflowers with their beautiful smiling faces dropping seeds or feeding the birds. The sunflowers are my favourite flower of all. They greet you each morning with their big open faces that beam and say hello. Designed to make you feel happy, they are truly a gift of nature.
You can start small with an edible garden and plant herbs and vegetables in pots.The French and Italians do their vegetable growing to perfection in pots. People are very creative with their outdoor spaces and their are lots of inspiring websites to get you started. Remember, edible gardens not only save you money but are a great way to encourage people to garden and offer a more sustainable future.
Links to useful sites to get you started:
http://www.ediblegardens.com.au/
http://preview.tinyurl.com/4qlh9pe
http://www.ediblekidsgardens.com.au/
http://www.productivegardens.com.au/
Image sourced from: cascadiapermaculture.com
Edible Gardens
