“ Foodscaping ” is a produce trend that many self - sufficient tribe are adopting quite enthusiastically . In uncomplicated terms , it ’s using edible lawn replacements in lieu of grass . This way , you habituate every bit of uncommitted blank space to cultivate food for thought plants .
Since most of ourlawnsdon’t get much daily use , why not ditch the grass and grow deliciousness instead ?
The 14 varieties heel below are all comestible and easy to grow . Most are perennial , while others self - seminal fluid , so they ’re also low maintenance . good of all , there are flavors and textures to suit every roof of the mouth .
1. Purslane (Portulaca oleracea)
This delicious succulent has crunchy , lemony leaves , and uprise prolifically , even in pitiful soil . It ’s only perennial in USDA Zones 10 and up , but ego - seeds easily . feed this flora raw , as cook it gives it an unpleasant , slimy texture .
Here ’s an interesting tip : If you ’d care to cultivate huge purslane plants rather than bantam ground creepers , grow them in hommos - full-bodied soil with a high-pitched nitrogen cognitive content . Mine grew over five inches tall this year !
2. Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum spp.)
These felicitous footling works are nifty fellow for tomatoes , lettuce , and countless others in your garden . They also chance to spread vigorously and are wholly edible .
They can be a bit sly to establish but do good if you pre - dowse the seeds for 12 hours before popping them into more or less acidic , moist , well - drained stain . Nasturtiums need a lot of fair weather , so they ’re better suited to full sunlight than partial shade .
3. Alpine Strawberries (Fragaria vesca)
If your lawn space is on the shady side , try alpine strawberries . They ’re easy to propagate from seed , and scatter their runners eagerly across any earth they ’re allotted .
Their leaves can be used in Camellia sinensis , and their berries , although tiny , are incredibly flavoursome . notice that strawberries produce more yield in gay spots . As a result , if you ’re using them to cover shaded ground , the berry yield will be significantly low .
4. Wood Violets (Viola odorata)
As far as edible lawn replacements go , plebeian violets are n’t just comestible – they ’re gorgeous . Their heart - shaped leaves are packed with vitamins C and A , and can be eaten in the altogether , or cooked like other William Green .
The flowers have a delicate flavor and can be exhaust in several path . thrash about them raw into salads , or candy them to adorn cooky and cupcakes . Or , if you finger like flex your canning sinew , transform them into bright purpleviolet jelly !
Transplant immature wild violets and allow them to ego - seed ( which they do eagerly ) , or sow buy seeds on prepared soil in early spring . They favor dappled shade , and a grow medium that ’s plenteous in compost but drains well .
5. Mint (Mentha spp.)
If you ’ve ever made a cup of peppermint tea or added pertly chopped spearmint to tabbouleh , you know how delightful various hatful species can be . heap are some of the easiest plants to produce , as they thrive in most soils as long as they ’re watered regularly .
- Just a quick note : most members of the mint / deadnettle family ( Lamiaceae ) are n’t just repeated – they ’re extremely incursive . While this is a definite plus when you ’re trying to base groundcover over tumid areas , you ’ll need to be persevering that this poppycock does n’t creep into your vegetable beds .
6. Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
This is another penis of the mint family advert above , but has a bright lemony spirit rather of a minty one . It has the same soil requirement , and will thirstily overlay your entire lawn in a year or two if let to .
The leaves are wonderful in tea as well as salad , and you could summate them to cooked dishes for a lemony savor without supernumerary liquid . As an added bonus , this plant repels mosquito ! Just walk across the lawn day by day to crush the foliage and release their scent . undesirable bitey wolf ca n’t stand it .
7. Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)
While German Chamaemelum nobilis ( Matricaria chamomilla ) and Roman can both be used as earth cover , the latter is often a better selection . Roman Chamaemelum nobilis does n’t grow quite as marvelous , has few flowers , and has a mild , Malus pumila - ish scent when you beat out its leaves underfoot .
Both the leaves and flowers are edible and can be used in teas , salads , and other preparations . It like a well - drain , low - alimentary growing medium , so it ’s idealistic for low and poor soils . In fact , if you mop it down at the closing of the time of year , you may leave the cutting to compost . They ’ll act as a green manure and help oneself to replenish the soil over the winter .
- Note : invalidate growing ( and eating ! ) chamomile if you ’re allergic to ragweed , as it may trigger a reaction .
8. Miner’s Lettuce (Claytonia perfoliata)
It ’s possible that you ’ve seen this repeated green around your locality , and never really recognize it for the tasty collation that it is . If you ’re looking for edible lawn replacements that are as attractive as they are tasty , tot up this one to your list .
This plant is referred to as miner ’s dough or miner ’s cress because it was a staple for 19th century California mineworker , who ate it on a regular basis to guard off scurvy . It prefers moist , reasonably rich soil , so be indisputable to work peat or coir into your yard before seed the seeds in other give .
Miner ’s lettuce is perennial in zones 6 - 10 , and an annual everywhere else . If you ’re in zone 3 - 5 , you may sow and reap repeatedly from March through to September or October .
9. Oregano (Origanum vulgare)
This is n’t just the cornerstone of Italian seasoning : oregano also happens to make a outstanding , fragrant footing cover . Like other extremity of the mint family , it can thrive in poor soil , spreads prolifically , and is very unmanageable to eradicate once base .
That said , it ’s these trait that make it so effective at get over large areas . Although it has the potential to grow marvellous , mowing it regularly will keep it somewhat sizeable . to boot , like mint , lemon balm , and thyme , oregano contain carvacrol — a natural insect repellant .
10.Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas)
If you ’re favourable enough to live in a climate that gets hot summer , consider cultivating sweet murphy on what used to be your lawn . Not only are the tasty tubers unbelievably nutrient - dense , but the leaf are also edible as well !
In addition , there are some varieties available that have really gorgeous foliage , from burgundy to vivid lime green . wangle the commons the same agency you ’d prepare spinach or chard , and serve them alongside their roots .
11.Thyme (Thymus spp.)
There are so many thyme form that we could easily devote an entire clause to this merry little herb . Some varieties are more fragrant than others , and not all are considered edible . As a result , it ’s of import to do your research when square up which you ’d like to maturate .
Lemon , English , and Gallic thyme are some of the most popular options , but creeping thyme ( Thymus praecox ) , also known as elfin thyme , is one of the best eatable lawn transposition around . It ’s prolific , dull , and saporous , so it pass over all the bases . Sometimes quite literally .
12. Lingonberries (Vaccinium vitis-idaea)
You may not be intimate with these delicious fruits unless you ’re of Scandinavian blood line , but they ’re well worth see out ! These cranberry full cousin are low - growing bush that are dandy as a groundcover or edge , and the Charles Edward Berry are high in vitamin C.
Like most other berries , these plants are ideal for acidic territory , as they ’ll run out tor thrive in alkaline conditions .
Also , it ’s best not to use up the berries unsanded , as they ’re quite tart and can cause tummy upset . Instead , transform them into jam or sauce for desserts , pancakes , and even meatballs .
13. French Sorrel (Rumex scutatus)
Not to be confound with trefoil - corresponding Ellen Price Wood sorrel ( Oxalis dillenii ) , French Hibiscus sabdariffa is a recurrent veg with long slender leaves . It ’s pry for its lemony flavor , and is used in soups , salads , and sauces around the world .
This plant boom in sandy , eat up soil , and basically loves to be neglect . Just toss ejaculate on nude earthy patches , water supply in well , and let ’em go . You ’ll be able to harvest the leaves several times all season long .
14. Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens)
Although it ’s more commonly retrieve fantastic in forests across North America , this spread evergreen shrub can be cultivated just about anywhere . It ’s hardy all the way down to zone 2a , and interestingly enough , can only thrive in the shade . It want rich , moist , acid , well - draining soil , and will give-up the ghost off quickly in standing water .
Its comestible berries have a curt , minty tone , and can be eaten raw . to boot , its sprig and leaves can be brewed into a refreshing Camellia sinensis . This is a heavy species to rise if your region has a lot of cervid and rabbits , as neither is warm of its flavor or texture .
Edible Lawns Do Double Duty
If you ’re mature repeated metal money as edible lawn replacements , commemorate the “ sopor , creep , leap ” formula : it ’ll in all probability take a good three yr for those plants to create impenetrable groundcover . They expend the first two years establishing their ascendant system but will blow up jubilantly after that .
moreover , if you live in an area that gets a lot of mosquito and tick activity , consider aLamiaceaelawn . Sow the various phallus of this family mentioned above , i.e. a motley of mints , thyme , lemon balm , and oregano . They ’ll create a dense carpet full of colouration and aroma , and will help to resist off all kinds of unwanted insects .
It just take some clip , care , and patience to transform what used to be a grassy lawn into a luxuriant foodscape . Before you have it away it , you ’ll have a 1000 full of edible herbs , blossom , and low - spring up vegetables to enjoy .
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