From Blooms to Bites: Why I Am Going To Transform My Garden into an Edible Paradise
By: Elizabeth Erasmus
From Blooms to Bites: Why I Am Going To Transform My Garden into an Edible Paradise
Small Corner of My Garden
My garden has always been a space of beauty and peace, filled with colorful blooms, fragrant flowers, and lush greenery. For years, I nurtured it for its aesthetic appeal, finding joy in its splashes of color and textures. However, my recent visit to my son and his family profoundly shifted my perspective on how to best use this space. Their new double-story house has a garden entirely focused on practicality, filled with edible plants instead of ornamental ones. This approach sparked a reevaluation of how I could transform my own garden into a more useful, sustainable space.
My son and his wife have carefully chosen plants that not only add beauty to their yard but also provide food and nourishment. Their garden is thriving with raspberries, tomatoes, strawberries, lime, lemons, blueberries, grapes, and apples. They even grow lavender for tea. It’s an intentional design that serves their family’s health and wellbeing, offering them an abundance of fresh produce that can be enjoyed daily. The idea of cultivating food in your own backyard isn't new, but seeing it so beautifully and practically implemented in their space made me realize that a garden doesn’t have to be just a visual delight – it can also be a functional one.
Saskatoons
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What truly inspired me was how their two children, ages six and eight, have become deeply connected to the garden. They delight in picking fresh fruits and vegetables, taking joy in harvesting their own snacks straight from the vine. They aren’t interested in sugary treats or processed snacks – they prefer the fresh, natural sweetness of a strawberry or the tartness of a lime. This connection to the earth and healthy eating habits was an eye-opener for me. It’s amazing to see how a simple change in gardening philosophy has not only nourished them physically but also fostered an appreciation for nature and sustainable living at such a young age.
Tomato
This visit made me reflect on my own garden and how I could apply this mindset. While beautiful flowers are certainly lovely to look at, they don’t offer the same sense of purpose that edible plants do. I began to ask myself: What if my garden could feed me as well as bring me joy? What if it could offer a bounty of fruits, vegetables, and herbs, providing me with fresh, organic produce right at my fingertips?
Herb Garden
Transitioning to an edible garden doesn’t mean sacrificing beauty. Many of the plants my son and his family grow are visually stunning as well – the lush, green vines of tomato plants, the deep red of ripening strawberries, the elegant, fragrant lavender swaying in the breeze. An edible garden can be just as vibrant and appealing as one filled with ornamental plants, while also offering a deeper sense of fulfilment.
Blooming Onions
Inspired by their example, I’m planning to transform my garden into one that is not only a feast for the eyes but also for the table. It’s time to rethink how we use our spaces and align our gardening practices with sustainability, health, and the joy of growing our own food.
In my garden transformation, I’ve also embraced the benefits of planting BeeBalm and Lavender, both of which serve a dual purpose. Not only do they attract and support bees—vital pollinators for any thriving garden—but they also offer wonderful uses beyond the garden. Both can be harvested to make soothing teas, with BeeBalm aiding in digestion and calming the stomach, while Lavender tea offers a gentle, relaxing effect. These plants enhance the ecosystem while contributing to our overall well-being, blending beauty with purpose.
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