Bring on the Edible plants

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No doubt about it, growing veggies is not a passing fad.
Edibles are taking over more of the landscape because our taste buds have come to enjoy vine ripened tomatoes and the joy of picking our own fresh herbs and green beans.

Veggies are no longer tucked into an obscure part of the landscape or restricted to raised planting beds.

The latest growing trend is to intersperse edible plants in planting beds among other annuals and perennials and to grow them in containers placed just as prominently on the patio as the bright and showy flowers. Growing edible plants in containers means almost everyone can enjoy home-grown varieties, even if they are short on space.
 
It’s too soon to plant the tender annual varieties — tomatoes, peppers, etc. But now is the time to prep and plan the garden you will soon enjoy. Take the steps to get the garden off to a clean and healthy start:

  • Clean out debris such as leaves and dead plant material that has collected over the winter.
  • Till planting areas by double digging or even triple digging to loosen soil. This means digging down to the third shovel depth to till. This practice is common in Africa and has had amazing results in production.
  • Add compost. Tilling plus composting will improve soil quality and help it hold moisture.
  • Plan ahead to have mulch on hand when you plant. It lowers evaporation, keeps more water in the soil and helps deter weeds. Use wood mulch, straw or recycle newspapers and grass clippings. They all do the job.

To make your garden even more sustainable this year, consider these tips:

  • Plant early, cool season crops such as carrots, radishes, lettuce and spinach. Seeds can be planted as soon as the ground can be tilled. This can be done now along the Front Range in most locations and a little later in the high country.
  • Grow more than ornamentals. This means the water you apply is going to a more productive use.
  • When it’s warm enough to plant annuals, dress up veggies with companion flowers. Nasturtium isn’t only pretty in the soil. It is a beneficial companion plant you can also use to brighten a salad and add a slight peppery flavor. Marigolds help to deter pests. Using dual-purpose flowers like these gives more bang for your buck when you buy them and also in the money you spend to water them.
  • Control weeds. They will suck up moisture your edibles need. Using mulch and keeping up on hand weeding means less water needed.
  • Use containers with herbs to dress up the patio. Foliage-only containers are a popular trend and again, your time, expense and water to grow them is maximized by providing more than visual interest.

Productive landscapes promote a healthy lifestyle and are a responsible use of our resources. Start planning and planting as soon as you can!

 

This entry was posted in Trees, Residential, Pots & Planters, Maintenance, Lawn & Garden Care, Green Landscape, Commercial, Annuals & Perennials