Gardening with Native Edible Plants A Guide and Plant List By: John Bradtke

Creating Your Own Edible Landscape The Concept of Edible Landscaping Choose Species to Fit Your Design Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa) Creating a landscape design incorporating edible plants can be Riverbank Grape (Vitis riparia) This full sized tree species can grow to easy and fun, as well as offer many personal and environmental The wide variety of native edible species that Michigan pro- Grapes are delicious and enormous size and provide refuge for benefits. This alternative landscape option is known as a foodscape vides can create a garden with both pleasing texture and color beautiful, but may creep or shade-loving understory species. Every sev- or an edible landscape, and differs from traditional agriculture due combinations. Basic factors to keep in mind are plant height, climb over other parts of the eral years the Bur Oak will drop a crop of to its strong focus on aesthetic appeal and creative design elements growth habit, and flowering time. For example, planting short- landscape. This can be de- acorn nuts, which can be eaten raw or along with being a source of natural food. Oftentimes, making an to-tall away from the pathway can give all species the attention sirable in a garden space, made into flour after preparation. entirely edible landscape is not practical for people with existing they deserve, and choosing species with different flowering but growth habit is certainly something to keep in mind gardens. Fortunately, the benefits of foodscaping can even be had times can provide blooms all season long. Remember to leave while selecting species. The Importance of Using Native Species by simply substituting a few traditional showy garden species with plenty of space for harvesting! a practical and equally beautiful native edible species. In addition, the fact that these plants are native to Michigan brings a whole new set of benefits. Native species are evolutionarily designed to grow in this exact climate, meaning less time and Wild-Bergamont (Monarda fistulosa) money spent on watering and fertilizing your plants. It also means This small flowering species is a great al- that these plants are prefered by native wildlife as a place to eat and ternative to a variety of common garden call home. Do not be surprised to see an increase in bird species flowers. The bright purple blooms attract and native pollinator activity after replacing some non-native dis- the attention of native pollinators in the play species with native edibles. midsummer. Meanwhile, you can harvest the fragrant leaves to create a soothing herbal tea. American Black Currant (Ribes americanum) This wetland shrub bears juicy black berries that is popular for making jams. In landscaping, this species may need to be planted low on a slope to Benefits of Foodscaping create the wetland conditions it needs. The benefits of using native edible species in your garden extend beyond just the obvious benefit of producing free and in- My Experience Eating Native credibly fresh tasting produce. You can rest easy knowing that the fruits, nuts, and greens being grown and consumed by your family I have found it to be difficult to create recipes entirely from has been grown safely; that is, without the use of any harmful native plants, but it is always fun to incorporate them in whenever chemical pesticides or herbicides that commercial agriculture relies possible. Below are rice and berry stuffed grape leaves, in which on. Not only tasty and all natural but also interesting, incorporating store bought rice was mixed with native Black Raspberries and edible species is a great way to get children interested and engaged wrapped up in leaves from the native Riverbank Grape. The culi- with gardening! nary possibilities are endless!

Lowbush Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) Allow Them to Thrive! Wild Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana) A Michigan favorite, blue- However, some complications can arise with soil berries are typically found and habitat preferences of certain species. Certain This creeping low-vine makes the naturally in sandy acidic perfect grouncover. In the spring it species may have a soil pH preference, or may only soils. This is an example of a thrive with specific amounts of soil moisture. These has a multitude of beautiful white species that may be more issues can be easily solved by supplementing the soil flowers. By mid-June, the delicious successful with slight local- red berries are ready to pick and ized soil amendment before to meet species preferences, or creating a slight slope enjoy. planting. to account for moisture needs. Although easy fixes, these are things to keep in mind before planting!

Backgrackground Imagmage: http://www.dishinginthekitchen.com/a-berry-berry-delicious-summer