Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Herbs:
Greek Dwarf Basil.
This is a great compact herb plant that only grows 6 inches tall.
English Munstead Lavender.
A favorite of mine for containers, lavender can tolerate the drier
conditions of life in a container.
Fruit:
Sunshine Blueberry.
Only 3 feet tall and wide, this is a self-pollinating blueberry, making it ideal
for a container garden.
When trying to determine if a particular variety will do well in a container, look for hints in the
product description. Words like “compact,” “bush form,” or “nonvining” are good clues.
Plant StandS
Elevating your containers can allow you to add even more room for growing produce. Don't be afraid to
lift a container out from behind a shady wall so it will get the six to eight hours of sun it needs. Or use a
porch rail or window sill for an herb garden, placing plants at eye (and nose) level where they can best be
appreciated.
Edible Landscaping
Another fun way to add more produce to your overall production each year is to consider the ways
to substitute edible plants into your ornamental landscaping. Like a harvest-producing ninja, you'll
sneak a row of rainbow chard in a sidewalk border and use thyme as a ground cover along your
walkway. Suddenly, in all the places you used to grow plants that only looked good, you'll have
plants that can ultimately feed your family (or your livestock) instead!
The main thing you need to pay attention to when making this switch is to consider the gardening
basics I cover in Chapter 6, such as how much sunlight the area receives. Here are some suggestions
for how to make easy switches for edible landscapes:
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Ground cover:
Instead of sedum, creeping phlox, or vinca ground covers in your ornamental
beds, plant thyme or lettuce.
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Flowering perennials:
Instead of daisy and
Coreopsis,
plant chamomile and echinacea.
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Ornamental annuals:
Instead of impatiens, pelargoniums, and petunias, try Swiss chard,
basil, and cilantro.
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Climbing vines:
Instead of morning glories, honeysuckle, or wisteria, try planting peas, pole
beans, small squash, and grape vines.
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Landscaping shrubs:
Instead of one of the many large flowering shrubs, try elderberry,
shrub roses, and blueberry plants.
