Tips for Growing Edible Plants
How to Landscape with Fruits and Vegetables Safely and Effectively
Mar 30, 2009
When gardeners add edible fruits or vegetables to their landscaping, there are some important guidelines to keep in mind.
Don't Use Treated Lumber for Raised Beds
Yes, those railroad ties and landscape timbers look inviting for a simple solution to creating raised beds and borders, however the chemicals used to treat the wood can leach into the soil. In a study done by the Texas A&M Agricultural Extension Service, treated lumber that uses CCA (chromated copper arsenic) or ACA (ammoniacal copper arsenic) does have the potential for putting these compounds into the soil.
While the study did not show significant levels of arsenic in the plants, many organic gardeners, and health-conscious individuals worry about the potential for contamination. With so many other options for building raised beds, many gardeners think it better to not take the chance.
Railroad ties have creosote in them, which can kill or damage plants that come in contact with them. However, as a railroad tie ages, the level of creosote that remains decreases. Some gardeners have had good results using railroad ties that have been cured for many years, or by lining the inside of the raised bed with thick plastic that prevent the plants and roots from touching the ties themselves.
Avoid Harsh Chemical Pesticides and Weed Killers
With such an influx of research showing the benefits of organic gardening, it is important for home gardeners to remember that spraying their tomatoes or cabbage plants with the harsh chemicals usually associated with rose gardening, can contaminate the food. In fact, it is wise for gardeners to read the labels carefully because some pesticides have specific warnings against being used in vegetable garden areas. In a blended landscape with ornamentals and edibles side-by-side, chose your spray and chemicals wisely.
Grow What You Will Actually Eat
In other words, if the food is something not normally eaten, or maybe even something a gardener wouldn't know how to cook or use in the kitchen, that food isn't a good choice for that gardener's edible landscape. It may seem silly, but this author knows more than one story where a gardener got carried away by a beautiful seed display at a nursery store and spent a lot of money on vegetables they never even eat. Gardeners should plan their gardens carefully according to what fruits and vegetables their family actually enjoys eating and cooking.
Use Organic Gardening Principles Mulching with Rich Humus Material
Organic gardening principles are known for making gardening easier for home landscapers. Use a deep layer of organic matter for mulch around plants; gardeners have used straw, bark chips, and even chopped leaves with great success. Instead of using chemical fertilizers, keep compost on hand to add to your mulch and help preserve the moisture. Mulching keeps garden beds weed-free, while provide a steady dose of fertilizer to victory garden plots.
Locate Edible Plants in Easy-to-Reach Locations
This is another tip that seems like common sense, however it is worth the reminder. Try to trellis climbing plants so they are within reach. Locate edible flowers and foliage plants near the edges or fronts of the beds and borders. Or use containers for an edible landscape so pots can be placed where the fruits and vegetables can be harvested with ease.
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