In Southern California, we are blessed with a mild, Mediterranean climate that provides a 365-day year growing season. Although limited by some winter frosts, we are able to grow most landscape ornamentals as well as vegetables throughout the year.
We also face serious water supply challenges now and into the future. Water allotments from Northern California and the Colorado river are being reduced, municipalities have issued water alerts and restrictions on water use while implementing tiered water rates meant to punish abusive water consumers.
The days of cheap imported water that allowed Southern California to flourish as a green oasis in what normally would be a desert are ancient history.
If you are considering a new or renovating an existing landscape, water conservation and using appropriate plant materials should be a top priority. Studies show 50% of a residential water bill goes toward landscape irrigation. The single greatest water consumer is turf grass utilizing overhead spray irrigation.
Do you really need that turf grass lawn? Are you an empty nestor, no longer needing the big play area for the kids? Are you a new homeowner, trying to figure out the best design and functionality for your landscape? With todays water and maintenance costs, you must make an informed decision when tailoring an appropriate landscape for your property and your own personal, functional and aesthetic interests.
So, if you have already decided the typical water guzzling turf landscape is not for you, that leaves several types of water efficient landscapes to choose from. This blog will focus on using an organic fruit and vegetable garden as an edible, beautiful and functional landscape planting.
ARE YOU THE GARDENING TYPE?
If you:
- Love to get your hands dirty
- Have the time and commitment to garden regularly and as needed
- Have a area that receives a minimum of six hours full sunlight daily
- Enjoy eating fruits and vegetables
- Have a desire to eat chemical free produce
- Enjoy saving water cost, reducing your carbon footprint
- Like to educate kids, neighbors and your community
- Like to do the right thing
If the answer to the first four items above are yes, Congratulations, you are a likely candidate to start a fruit and vegetable garden!
The traditional concept of row gardening can be easily modified and adapted to a landscape design, satisfying both functional and aesthetic considerations. Using our residence as a example, we choose to convert our worn out, old front yard cactus garden into a fruit and vegetable garden.
Overgrown, non functional cactus garden
Since this is our front yard, I wanted to create a functional yet aesthetic fruit and vegetable garden that would enhance and enliven the site characteristics. Since the site is raised and already had a segmental block retaining wall, I designed a series of raised planters with pathways on each side of the planter for ease of cruising through the garden and access to work both sides of the planter beds.
Renovated landscape with vegetable garden raised planter beds
Raised planters with pathways for access also create interest
In a few months, we celebrate our one year garden anniversary. Take a look at some of the fruits and vegetables grown this past year.
French breakfast radishes, yum
Fresh, sweet organic carrots
Sweet millions tomatoes, the sweetest yet
Pomegranate trees make great medium size ornamental tree with beautiful fruit
Gotta have a lime tree for a mojito
A beautiful, edible front yard landscape
Ready to get started? Need help? I am a professional horticulturist, a C-27 landscape contractor and a certified arborist. My company, Rappoport Development Consulting Services LLC provides professional landscape, arboriculture, horticulture and organic gardening consulting services. Got a problem with the garden? Give me a call at 858-205-4748.