Photo courtesy of brighboldbeautiful.com
So you’ve got a bare spot in your landscaping or a small patch of grass in your backyard that you’re looking to fill. Sure, you could plant some more flowers or maybe even a small tree, but have you considered adding some edible plants? From herbs and berries to vine-grown veggies, there are lots of edible options for homeowners today. If you’re not quite sure how to get started, don’t worry. Below, we’ve shared a few tips for adding some edible items to your yard from the good folks at Star News Online. Good luck! You can find tool rentals to get your project started through Rent It Today at our tool rental listing page.
The Basics
- Stick to easy-to-grow choices that can withstand the hot days of summer such as basil, peppers, zucchini or yellow squash.
- Start a compost pile which improves soil quality and your chances of growing fruits and vegetables in your yard.
- Try containers which allow you to control the soil quality and start small. You can also add a 4×4’ raised bed and place it in an area that gets at least six hours of sun.
- Start thinking about what you want to grow in the spring in the fall and winter.
Fruits
- Add a blueberry bush or think about strawberries as a ground cover in an area with well-drained soil.
- Plant a tree or paw-paws, which produce soft yellow fruit.
Veggies
- Grow vine-growing vegetables such as cucumbers on trellises or fences.
- Greens such as kale, spinach, and chard are pretty additions to your garden (plus, they’re good for you!).
- Tomatoes can be tough but if you want to give them a try, choose cherry tomatoes.
Herbs
- Start with your favorite herb to help cut costs at the grocery store.
- Use a hanging basket to grow a few herbs together in a container. Oregano, sage and thyme are all good choices because they like air flow and well-drained soil.
- Incorporate a hedge of rosemary or mint ground cover to fix a fragrant garden.
