I guess, because ThisGardenLady was born and raised on a farm, to me there is nothing more beautiful than seeing farms, gardens or orchards. And I guess, because I was a poor child, I like to see value in what I raise. Don’t misunderstand, I think that a lawn is pretty and a peaceful sight. But I like to see added “bang for my buck.” And what can be better than seeing plants grow and then getting food from them?
I know that there are towns or housing developments where you have to have a front yard that looks like every body else’s front yard. That is the law in some places. I know that neighbors have to be kept happy. There are some neighbors who want to see a similar front yard as theirs and are intolerant especially when someone landscapes a little bit differently. Some of these people call the police or take people to court for these differences. I believe in peaceful coexistence and would never encourage any fights, even over front yards or gardens.
I am lucky to live in a town where I am able to plant any garden in my front yard as long as it is neat looking. One lady in my town planted a vegetable garden in her big side yard, her front yard has trees. This side yard vegetable garden is on the street side of the house since she lives on a corner property. So everyone sees this garden. She invites her neighbors to take some of her produce. No one complains that vegetables grow here because this garden is attractive with flowers interspersed among the vegetables and statues are interspersed as well. And who would complain who gets free vegetables? I have another friend who has raised beds with vegetables in her front yard. I think it looks attractive even if it is not the kind of pretty landscaping I am recommending in the last few columns on vegetable ardens in the front yard. Even if neighbors are unhappy, in my community these gardeners are left alone by the law.
TheGardenLady feels that landscaping your front, back and side lawns with vegetables will be the wave of the future. Water is becoming a rarer and rarer commodity that we will not be allowed to use so readily on just grass. Flowers and sculpted shrubs are lovely, but with produce becoming so costly, we will all be wanting to raise our own vegetables and fruit, just as people had Victory Gardens during the World Wars.
For front yard vegetable gardening TheGardenLady tried to suggest vegetable plants that not only have lovely flowers and interesting leaves but give you something edible for your effort. I have tried to suggest plants so pretty that no one can complain that the garden isn’t lovely. These attractive plants, attractively planted, should have everyone enjoying your landscaping.
Please show off your pretty landscaping with edible plants by sending photos to TheGardenLady.org.