The task of creating a dedicated vegetable garden can feel overwhelming—carving out a large chunk of your yard to create the perfect growing space isn’t a reality for everyone. We’ve all seen the DIY clips of those beautiful wooden raised beds with lasagna layering techniques and beautiful trellises. That’s a lot of work!
For those of us who don’t have the Martha Stewart kind of time or resources, why not dress up your existing landscape beds with plants you can eat? Foodscaping improves your soil, supports pollinators, boosts your ecosystem—and puts food on your table. Let your yard be both a food source and a beautiful sanctuary.
Here are some ideas to consider when incorporating edible plants into your gardens:
SHADE TREES
There are many varieties of fruiting trees to consider: apple, cherry, plum, peach—the list goes on. Not only will you be rewarded with tasty treats, but many fruit trees also have spectacular spring blooms and provide much-needed shade for your patio or garden. If space is tight, consider a pruning technique called espalier, where a fruit tree is trained to grow flat along a wall or as a living fence. Just make sure to check if your tree is self-pollinating or if it needs a lover nearby.
PRIVACY WITH PURPOSE
Grapevines and climbing vegetables like cucumbers can quickly cover a trellis or chain-link fence. A grouping of raspberries or blueberries can serve as an intentional landscape feature, providing structure while offering beautiful fall color and fresh fruit.
TEAS AND TINCTURES
Many herbs fit seamlessly along borders and edges of existing beds: lavender, thyme, and chamomile are great low-growing choices. Taller herbs like dill and basil can be tucked in among your shrubs. Chives do double duty. Planted along a path’s edge, they produce pretty pompom blooms, add zest to any savory dish, and attract hummingbirds. Just remember to keep mint in pots— it’s a charming bully in the garden if left unchecked.
FOR BEAUTY
Some edible plants are simply stunning and deserve a place in the spotlight. The annual nasturtium, with multicolored blooms, adds a peppery kick to salads and a pop of color to the garden. Eggplants boast delicate purple flowers and can be found in beautifully striped varieties. Rhubarb’s ruby stalks, artichoke’s dramatic blooms, and the elegance of asparagus all contribute visual interest while being productive.
LAYERING
Mimic natural forest structures by layering plants in your beds. Arrange taller species in the back, midsized in the middle, and low-growing groundcovers in front. For example, try an apple tree in the rear, blueberries midground, lavender along the border, and alpine strawberries as groundcover. This approach maximizes your space and enhances visual harmony.
You can grow most vegetables in existing mulched landscape beds; just be sure they receive plenty of sunshine. Interplanting edibles among ornamental shrubs helps suppress weeds and reduces pest problems compared to open, monoculture vegetable beds. Hungry critters are more likely to skip a patchwork of mixed plantings than an obvious row of lettuce.
THEMED FOODSCAPE IDEAS:
Salsa garden: Capture the flavors of Mexico with tomatoes, bell peppers, hot peppers like Hungarian wax or habanero, chives, onions, garlic, cilantro, basil, oregano, and parsley.
Salad garden: Mix leafy lettuces, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and nasturtiums for a colorful, flavorful bowl—perfect for a planter box or small space.
Garden for cocktails: Herbs can elevate your happy hour. Try lavender, sage, cucumbers, rosemary, thyme, lemon verbena, basil, and mint. (Who doesn’t love a mojito?)
Italian garden: Channel Nonna’s kitchen with San Marzano and Roma tomatoes, basil, oregano, fennel, Italian parsley, zucchini, eggplant, rosemary, and sage. Sunday sauce, anyone?
Teatime garden: For an enchanting English tea garden, plant lemon balm, chamomile, lavender, mint, lemon verbena, and lemongrass. The list of possibilities for a soothing pot of tea is endless.
Perhaps you’re wondering, why go through all this when I can just shop at the store?
Because growing your own food brings cost savings, food security, visual beauty, and environmental benefits like reduced travel, fewer pesticides, and greater biodiversity. But most importantly spending time outdoors, connecting with nature, and getting your hands dirty are some of the best ways to improve your mental and physical well-being.
Start small. Use pots, planter boxes, or corners of existing beds. Be practical and intentional. No matter what kind of space you have, there’s a way to grow your own groceries—and to fall in love with the living world right outside your door.
Jessica DeMasio is the general manager of Broccolo.
This article originally appeared in the May/June 2025 issue of Upstate Gardeners’ Journal.
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