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Edible & Ornamental!Yes, the time has come to turn ourthoughts to the vegetable garden. Youcan start planting vegetables outsidenow: starts and seeds are available atall our great local nurseries.I know many of us think of thevegetable garden as a separate gardenfrom our ornamental or flower garden,and we try to put it way back in an outof the way spot so that it is out of sightin down times. But I think we needto re-examine this frame of mind: whyhide your edibles? There are so manyedible plants that are attractive to lookat, why not let them share space withyour shrubs and flowers?There are many advantages tomixing edibles and ornamentalsthroughout the garden.If your strawberries are plantednear the back door, not only do theyprovide a nice groundcover aroundyour roses or iris, but they are handyfor picking every time you go out.Lettuce and other salad greens grownnear the patio are much more likely toget the frequent picking and wateringthey need than those that languish inthe far corner of the yard. When yourherbs are grown in pots outside thekitchen door, harvesting and usingthem becomes a simple and healthfulpart of everyday meal preparation.I love to grow rosemary near thebarbeque where it can be quicklypicked and thrown on meats as theycook, or you can use those long stemsto make shish kabob skewers.Herbs like oregano, basil, lavenderand sage are very attractive anddeserve to be grown in the flower bedsfor enjoyment of their eye-appeal, aswell as their taste.Many plants which you mayalready grow as ornamentals produceedible parts which can contribute toyour family’s healthy, homegrowneating. Did you know that bamboosprouts are good eating? Harvest theshoots when they are less than 1 foottall, remove the tough outer leaves androot section, slice thinly, and boil for20 minutes (do not eat them raw, asthem contain toxic substances!). Theyare crunchy and nutritious (high inpotassium) additions to salads, stirfrys,and soups.Of course, you will need to useorganic growing methods with anyplants which you intend to harvestfor food. I hope that you have alreadybanished all chemical products fromyour entire garden, but even organic/natural products can be harmful ifeaten: always check labels for safetybefore using on food crops.Hutton-in-the-ForestLast summer I visited a wonderfulgarden in the North of England,Hutton-in-the-Forest, where the flowerborders were anchored by apple treesinterplanted with roses: beautifuland edible! Rose hips, those large redor orange fruits produced on yourroses if you forget to prune, as highin vitamin C, and make excellent jamsor tea. Check out rose hip recipes atwww.springvalleyroses.com. If youwant to grow roses especially for big,juicy hips, varieties of Rosa rugosa arerecommended.Many other shrubs and trees thatwe commonly use as ornamentalsproduce edible fruits: oregon grape(Mahonia), quince (Chaenomeles),currant (Ribes), pineapple guava(Feijoa) and strawberry tree (Arbutusunedo). The bay tree (Larus nobilis) is avaluable evergreen ornamental whoseleaves can be used in cooking.Orchard trees and vines can beeasily integrated into the gardensetting: Meyer lemon, persimmon,apple, plum, and olive are all beautifuland productive in our climate. If youhave a frost-protected area, you cantry oranges and other citrus. I love anarbor smothered in grape vines: pluckthe fruit, then sit and relax a while inthe shade.Don’t forget than there are manyeasy-to-grow edible flowers that addtaste and color to salads, cakes, andeven cheeses! Some of my favorites arepansies (Viola), nasturtiums, borage,roses, lavender, mint, and rosemary. Forlots of great recipes and fun ideas checkout http://whatscookingamerica.net/EdibleFlowers.Start your beautiful edible gardentoday! If you need planning help,call Gail at 829-2455 for a in-homeconsultation. Happy home-growneating!Send your questions and photos (jpg) tobluehilldesign9@aol.com4/16/09 - www.westcountygazette.com - 39